Lioness super-sub Michelle Agyemang gears up for England games by playing piano
The Lionesses youngest cub, Michelle Agyemang, has been hitting the high notes both on an off the pitch during this Euros 25 campaign. She has become England's saviour, after two nail-biting knockout clashes that rolled on into extra time - both thanks to her rocket shots just seconds before the final whistle.
But before the 'humble, down to earth' teenager is unleashed on the pitch, she gets ready to rumble by playing piano in her room. Keen to keep their secret weapon happy, the Lionesses ' kit man had Michelle's piano flown out to Switzerland so she could play in her hotel room.
The 19-year-old from South Ockendon, Essex said: "I play the piano, the bass guitar and the drums. I have my piano in my room so I'm spending a lot of time in there just playing and chilling.
"I don't think that there's a day that I go without playing it because it's right in front of me. Especially on game days I probably spend about two hours just playing and enjoying myself." Just four years ago, the closest Michelle had been to the Lionesses was working as a ball girl at Wembley.
Reflecting on that precious memory, Michelle said: "It was crazy. Seeing the girls so close to my face. "Beth Mead got a hat-trick that day, so to be a part of that experience was invaluable and I'll never forget it."
But after catching the eye of Sarina Wiegman while playing in the England youth team, she was called up to stand in for an injured Alessia Russo in a Nations League game against Belgium. In just 41 seconds on the pitch, Michelle scored a sensational debut goal and earned her permanent position as a fearsome Lioness.
Following England's record-breaking win over Italy on Tuesday night, Lucy Bronze said of the young cub: "What a tournament from Michelle, especially coming in with the seniors just a couple of months ago. What a great player, what a bright future she's got. She's such a humble, lovely down to earth girl. Honestly couldn't think of a nicer person... What a future the kid's got ahead of her, at 19 she's helping the England team get to a Euros final. I can't imagine her or her family ever dreamed of it."
When the final whistle blew sending England fans into a frenzy, modest Michelle was the first to begin consoling the Italian players. And when she went to join her teammates, Beth Mead and Alex Greenwood were seen pushing Michelle towards the stands of euphoric fans singing Sweet Caroline, telling the teenager 'this is for you'.
Yet despite her quiet demeanour, Michelle's teammates know exactly how dangerous she can be. When she was called on against Sweden, Chloe Kelly told her 'cause havoc' before she netted the 79th minute goal. And Lucy Bronze described the terror in Italy's eyes after the teenage super-sub was set loose on the pitch on Tuesday.
She said: "You see it when she comes on, defenders are petrified of her, coming up against her. She comes on, a defender's played 90 minutes and then they have to come up against Michelle. I sure as hell wouldn't want that to be me. She's so powerful, so aggressive."
Heaping the praise on her England and Arsenal teammate, Lioness captain Leah Williamson added: "She's quality. She's a nightmare to play against. I'm glad she's my teammate at Club and Country. She deserves her flowers. I hope she gets them. I hope she enjoys [it], and then I hope she's ready to go at the weekend."
Fans have been scrambling for last minute tickets to the must-watch final, which is expected to be a sell out event. And back home millions are set to tune in at home, in pubs and in front of big screens as Euros fever takes over the nation. Both ITV and BBC will be streaming the game, which kicks off at 5pm.
It's a ' weird ' feeling for introvert Michelle, who will no doubt be called upon again as England fight to retain their European Championship title. She said: "When I was younger I wasn't really the biggest fan of cameras and stuff around me. It's nice to know that people are interested in the women's game, and in me. Hopefully we go all the way and I can show more of myself to the rest of the world."
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