Scotland women face the challenge of playing in 27 degrees as they take on Israel in their first qualifying game of the EURO2013 championships. The squad flew off on Sunday, picking up Arsenal players Jennifer Beattie and Kim Little along the way at Heathrow, looking forward to a long flight before they could rest and prepare for the game in the conditions they will play in. The squad spent some down time in Jerusalem before getting down to training at the Ness Ziona Municipal Stadium in 34 degrees. The slight drop in temperature for the game is welcome but will still be a test for the women most used to British weather although Ifeoma Dieke and Frankie Brown may be better prepared from playing with Apollon Limassol.
Coach Anna Singeul had been out to watch Israel with her assistant Angie Hind so knew what to expect weather wise. Speaking yesterday Singeul said: "The conditions have been exactly what we’d expected and prepared for. It has been very hot here since we arrived but it is going to be cooler tomorrow. We trained at match time today – between 11 and 12.30 – and the players coped very well. It was good for our preparation to train at this time and all the players got through the training session fine. The weather yesterday was actually quite cloudy at times and that is what the weather is likely to be like tomorrow with temperatures of 27 degrees. Hopefully, then, the conditions will not be too much of a problem for us during the game." Singeul has watched her team improve and was pleased to see the women from Glasgow City benefit from their progress at a higher level as they progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League. The downside of playing more games is counterbalanced by the experience and exposure to a higher level of expectation. The national coach went on: "The players are really looking forward to this game and I’m really pleased with the squad at my disposal. I think we have eighteen excellent players in the squad. We have eighteen players who are competing and working really hard to be in the starting line-up and that will improve the squad and the overall game in Scotland. I feel that in every position, as well as competition, we also have quality which is healthy for the squad. We need that sort of quality and competition and this is maybe the first year where we have had competition as tough as it is. The players feel this and it pushes them on. The players realise what an honour it is for them to be selected to be part of such a strong and hard working squad. As a squad, we are developing all the time and qualification for the European Championships in 2013 is the next target that we have. That is the target of the Scottish FA, all the playing squad and the entire backroom staff. I believe that we are at that level now and it is where we want to be. The squad is more than good enough to be one of the top twelve teams in Europe and the players want to be playing in major finals. We want to be competing with these teams for the championship and that drives all the players and all the staff on."
Source: FOOTYMAD
