FIFAWWC 2023 – AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND.
Our flag was lucky enough to fly out to Australia with one of our COGS for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and visited a number of stadiums. It very nearly didn’t come home but you can read about its adventures below. Before the Tournament, it was also seen on the big screen at the World Cup Group Stage Draw, which was held in Australia by FIFA.
Adventures of the COGS Flag Down Under – FIFA WWC 2023
When England played their first game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 against Haiti, I did not realise the adventure I was about to go on… At that point, I was tucked away safely in my bag in England but just two days later I was travelling half way around the world Down Under.
I went on a tour of Sydney to see its famous sights and to get over the jet lag in time for England’s second group game against Denmark.
During that game at the Sydney Football Stadium, I had a great view of Lauren James’s stunning goal from the opposite end of the pitch, and my first of many TV appearances during the tournament.
Onto Adelaide next and the epic 6-1 victory against China. I was behind the China goal for the first half so saw the three goals from Russo, Hemp and James’s first close-up. Absolute goal-fest!
England then went onto Brisbane to play against Nigeria, but I journeyed to Melbourne. So we watched the game from the Melbourne Fan Zone. After the late finish with England having to go to extra time and penalties to overcome Nigeria, the fan zone was then PACKED with Australians ready for the Matildas’ game against France.
Back to Sydney for the remainder of the tournament. First up was the quarter final against Columbia and their fans were incredible with all their singing and dancing. It was all quite a rush to find my spot for the game, after watching the epic Matildas’ penalty shoot-out against France on large screens outside the stadium. Then one end was already full with flags but I found somewhere down the other end that would turn out to be the perfect position…
Unfortunately I was in the perfect position to witness Columbia’s opening goal towards the end of the first half, behind Mary Earps’s goal. But we had nothing to worry about with Russo’s winner in the second half.
I was made even more famous by Cath Ivill from Getty Images!
Onto the semi-finals and the massive showdown with hosts Australia at the Olympic Stadium. When Sam Kerr scored to equalise Ella Toone’s opener, it just might have been the loudest noise I’ve ever heard! But I was right behind the goal when Lauren Hemp and then Alessia Russo sealed England’s place in the Final. We might have been massively outnumbered by Matildas’ fans, but we cheered and sang at the top of our lungs!
And finally, the FIFA Women’s World Cup FINAL 2023!!! On the day, we went down to Squires Landing to join in with the Free Lionesses fan group preparations.
At the Olympic Stadium, I thought it best to stay in the same position, not that I’m superstitious… Meanwhile my sister flag was with all the COGs back home at Daltons pub in Brighton.
What a rollercoaster of emotions. It was unfortunately Spain who would score down my end this time and England just couldn’t find a way through in the second half. Gutted but very proud of the Lionesses and so happy to have experienced so many fantastic games.
And I then nearly didn’t make it back to Crawley as a couple of local lads took a liking to me and wanted to take me home. Thankfully, I was rescued just in time!
I can’t wait for my next adventure!