England WU23s set for final camp of 2024

The Young Lionesses will close out 2024 with two fixtures in the WU23 European competition. Coates’ side will first travel away to play Norway on Thursday 28 November (17:00 GMT), before welcoming Sweden to the Eco-Power Stadium, home of Doncaster Rovers, on Monday 2 December (19:00 GMT). 

Tickets for the match against Sweden – the first ever time the WU23s have played in Doncaster – can be purchased via this link, priced at £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and 14–24-year-olds and £1 for under-14s. 

The Young Lionesses were backed by a record crowd in their last home fixture in October, with nearly 3,000 fans turning out to witness a 1-0 win over Portugal at Shrewsbury Town and they will be hoping for another bumper attendance against a talented Swedish side.

The final international window of the year presents familiar opposition for the Young Lionesses, who last played Norway in a 1-1 draw at the start of last season and Sweden in a 3-1 victory in Telford in April. After going unbeaten in the European competition last season, the format has been enhanced for the 2024/25 campaign, with a group stage, semi-finals and final. The WU23s will be looking to secure a top two finish in Group B to progress to the semi-finals. The current standings for the European competition can be seen on The FA website.

Emma Coates said: “These are two exciting games against tough opponents. Not only do we want to finish the year with two strong performances, but we want to put ourselves in the best position in our group for the next stage of the competition. That’s exactly why we’ve developed the WU23 competition, so our players can experience what it’s like playing with an added level of pressure. 

“We’ve played in front of some great crowds this year and I hope to see another one in Doncaster for our final game of 2024. I have some amazing memories of coaching at Doncaster Rovers Belles, so it’ll be a really special night to return to the club with the Young Lionesses.”
 
England squad:

Goalkeepers: Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Kayla Rendell (Southampton), Fran Stenson (Southampton)

Defenders: Brooke Aspin (Chelsea on loan to Crystal Palace), Tara Bourne (Southampton), Megan Collett (Southampton), Anouk Denton (West Ham), Teyah Goldie (Arsenal on loan to London City Lionesses), Neve Herron (Birmingham City), Ella Morris (Tottenham Hotspur), Hannah Silcock (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Elysia Boddy (Newcastle United), Ruby Grant (BK Hacken), Missy Bo Kearns (Aston Villa), Lucia Kendall (Southampton), Olivia McLoughlin (Rangers), Maisie Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion) 

Forwards: Sarah Brasero (G.D. Estoril Praia), Mia Enderby (Liverpool), Isobel Goodwin (London City Lionesses), Missy Goodwin (Leicester City), Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur), Katie Robinson (Aston Villa)