Hope Powell

Tony Leighton’s interview with the England national coach ahead of her fifth major tournament in charge. Powell calls this the strongest squad she has had, with an average age of 26, a combined 1,041 caps and 15 players from the side that reached the Euro 2009 final, and says selection was challenging in a good way because the choice of quality players is wider than before. She did not try to talk Katie Chapman out of her temporary international retirement, respecting a decision made with two children to raise, and describes telling Sue Smith and Lindsay Johnson they had missed out as hard and sad. On expectation she points to Germany, who always handle it, and insists England will focus only on getting out of their group. Penalty shoot-outs are practised. The full 21-player squad is printed alongside.