Qualifying for Euro 2025, the Nations League begins and moving home... Olivia Clark column
Uefa Women's Nations League: Italy v WalesVenue: Brianteo Stadium, Monza Date: Friday, 21 February Kick-off: 17:15 GMTCoverage: Live on BBC Two Wales, iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentaryHighlights: S4C and iPlayer, 21:50 GMT and later on demand.
In her latest BBC Sport column, Olivia Clark discusses Wales' Euro 2025 play-off final victory against the Republic of Ireland, looks ahead to the start of the Nations League campaign and lifts the lid on her return to the WSL with Leicester City.
Things look vastly different in my career than they did the last time I wrote this column, with Wales hoping to qualify for a first major tournament ahead of our play-off with Republic of Ireland.That was the end of November and we were fully focused on the test of facing Ireland, not really talking about the potential prize at the end of it… a first major tournament for Wales women.Of course, that dream is now a reality as we head into what is the biggest year in Welsh women's footballing history with Euro 2025 on the horizon.We have the perfect preparation for the Euros with our Nations League campaign about to start and we know that is going to be a great test for us.Things are also different for me in terms of my club, having returned to the Women's Super League with Leicester City from FC Twente, a move that I really didn't expect to happen just a few months ago.Lots to talk about!
Ireland memories will last a lifetime
Things certainly didn't start as I planned for them to in the play-offs with the 1-1 draw in Cardiff in front of a record crowd with the ball hitting me off the crossbar for Ireland's equaliser.Obviously that was tough at the time, the girls helped me and the whole team got around me, but it wasn't really about me, it was all about us achieving our objectives in the second game in Dublin.We had total confidence we were going to get the job done and I don't think it really affected me going into the Dublin game, I was still in a good place.Dublin was great, the whole occasion, the stadium, the crowd, we were in such a good place and we really did have total belief we were going to get the job done. And we did!The celebrations were great and I still think about that night now, it gets my heart racing, it was amazing to be a part of.My dad was there in Dublin, he comes to pretty much every game and to share the moment with him was special. I hope he's looking forward to Switzerland.That full-time whistle was a moment where all my emotions flooded over me, I had to sit down and try and take it all in.It was the sort of game where all the hard work to become a professional footballer, it is all worthwhile, you realise why you do everything you do.That night will probably be the best night of our lives.That eight minutes of injury time was so nerve-wracking, but I think it's better to be on the pitch, because you are so in the zone. I think it was probably worse for the people watching.
Nations League perfect preparation for Euro 2025
We had come so close to major tournament qualification in the past and I really think that fuelled us, it felt like it was meant to be.We can't wait for the summer now – despite being drawn in a very tough group – and it feels like being in the top pot of the Nations League will be perfect preparation for us.It is the best preparation we could possibly have. We know what to expect, we will be the underdog in the Nations League just like in the Euros, but it is a major tournament and anything can happen in a one-off game.We know what we can do as a team and we feel in a good position.The Nations League gives us a good chance to experiment and keeping working towards Switzerland in the summer.
Leicester move just felt right
It was never my plan to come back to the UK so quickly after switching to FC Twente last summer, but when the Leicester opportunity came up it just felt right for me.Once we qualified for the Euros I felt like I wanted to be in the best place for me professionally and personally and when I spoke to Leicester I thought it would be a perfect fit for me.The facilities and set-up is top class and I feel I can really develop as an individual.Looking at my life as a whole, it felt a great fit. My dad only has to drive an hour to come and see my games now. Having that balance between football and your life outside of football, it feels good.Obviously my main aim is to get into the first XI, but as an athlete, it's a great situation as the facilities are among the best in the WSL and I am working with a goalkeeping coach in Tom Pressman who I have worked with before at Wales and who I know has my best interests at heart and will really help me before the Euros.I don't have any regrets on moving to FC Twente, I played in the Champions League and I learned a lot about myself living in a foreign country.I would never regret that decision. I didn't plan to come back, but this is a great opportunity for me.A number of players have recently moved to WSL clubs from FC Twente and I think they were very understanding of my decision.I have kept up my Dutch on Duolingo, there are a few Dutch speaking girls at Leicester, so I am keeping my eye in with that!
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