A bit of healthy competition never hurt anyone…
BY LARA IQBAL GILLING, IMAGE VIA INSTAGRAM (@BETHMEAD_)
England and Arsenal forward Beth Mead is set to play against her girlfriend, Dutch footballer Vivianne Miedema, at the Women’s Euros.
Neither were surprised that they have to play each other. “It was inevitable,” Mead said, as reported by the BBC. “We’re both very, very competitive and professional. We’re both excited for the tournament and to be able to play in it again.”
As game day draws closer, they keep football chat to a minimum. Mead said: “We keep in contact but when it gets closer to our games, we don’t talk football whatsoever. Obviously, we want each other to do well but not against each other.”
Hosted in Switzerland this year, the competition starts on 2 July. England and the Netherlands – the last two winners – will face off on 9 July. England’s group D opponents are France, the Netherlands and Wales.
After Mead and Miedema played for the winning teams, they both had to take time off for the 2023 World Cup due to anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
The couple has been together since 2022, recently celebrating their third anniversary. Until last year, they were teammates at Arsenal. Miedema moved to represent Manchester City, and Mead said jokingly in response: “I’ll get some peace and quiet now.
“Obviously, Viv’s a world-class player and I’ll very much miss playing at the club with [her]. Obviously, she wanted something new, she wanted a new challenge, and I wish her the best – just not when she’s playing against Arsenal.”
England has a strong chance of winning the Euros, alongside the Netherlands and France. Spain is predicted to have the best prospects overall.
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