Anita Asante has ‘a lot of hope’ about England’s chances at this summer’s Euros

Euros runner-up Anita Asante admits she has “a lot of hope” about England’s chances of going one better at this summer’s edition on home soil.

The Lionesses, semi-finalists at each of their last three major tournaments, have been in impressive form since they began working last September under Sarina Wiegman, who guided Holland to European Championship glory in 2017 and named her provisional squad for the summer earlier this week.

Her tenure to date has featured 11 games, no defeats and nine victories, with eight of the wins coming in a World Cup qualifying campaign that has seen 68 goals scored and none conceded. The team have also lifted the Arnold Clark Cup after draws with Canada and Spain and a 3-1 win over Germany.

Former England defender Asante, who was part of the side beaten by Germany in the 2009 Euros final in Finland, told the PA news agency when asked if she could see them winning the trophy this summer: “Yes.

“I think I’ve been quite vocal in backing this England squad because I think there’s so much quality and depth within it and this is an England side that has gone to three consecutive semi-finals.

“So there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have belief in what they can do.

There's no reason why we shouldn't have belief in what they can do.- Anita Asante on England

“It’s ultimately those fine margins and those very high-pressured, pinnacle moments that will make the difference. But we have so many good attacking threats, in a way that probably we haven’t seen in the past, and that gives me a lot of hope going into this competition.”

Asante was also in England’s squad when they were last Euros hosts, in 2005, and she said: “I think the progression from 2005 to now has been exponential in terms of interest,