White out of the top drawer

By Pete Sanderson

The heart of a lion, the work ethic of an ox and composure beyond the even the wildest dreams of any previous English women's captain. Step aside David Beckham - for a month at least - as Faye White, a player who has endeared herself to the English public like no other since seizing the captain's armband, bids to secure her country's second major international trophy in world football at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™.

Model pro
Perhaps it would be more fitting to compare White with Tony Adams or Sir Bobby Moore. Like Adams, White is a tower of strength in the air, she plies her club trade at the heart of the Arsenal LFC defence and, like Moore in 1966, she has the chance to steer England to international glory on home soil. She is certainly an inspirational leader and her good, solid performances in the build-up to this tournament have underpinned England's collective endeavour.

'Winning mentality'
White is convinced her England side are ready to fulfil their potential in a tournament which she hopes will capture the imagination of the English public. "It's going to be huge," she told uefa.com. "Hopefully we can put in a good performance and turn a few heads. The work we have done as a squad to prepare has been similar to 2001 but has also been a lot more intense and more professional. We have also developed a winning mentality which is crucial going into a tournament like this."

Famous treble
Standing 1.80m tall and talking with the same overwhelming confidence which she oozes on the pitch, it is hard not to believe every word White says. A captain in every sense of the word, she believes the tournament will be the pinnacle of a career which has seen her win silverware aplenty on the domestic front with Arsenal, including an unforgettable treble in 2001.

Greatest ever
"I may have won plenty of medals at club level including two more this year but this will be the highlight of my career," said White. "It is a huge tournament in my own country and I will be leading my country out. I can't see anything bigger coming along. Hopefully it will take women's football on to a new level."

Young guns
White's experience at the back will be vital if England are to match her ambition. Although there are seven players from the squad which largely disappointed at UEFA EURO 2001™, coach Hope Powell has placed the emphasis on emerging talent in a very youthful squad.

Good blend
"It is a young squad but also a very talented one," she said. "We have brought in Eniola [Aluko], Anita [Asante] and Emily Westwood and all three have the ability and talent to take this opportunity with both hands and I have no doubt that they will. I have over 40 caps to my name so far and there is still plenty of experience in this side so it should be a good blend."

Big games
One game where England will need to find their best form will be in their Group A match with Sweden on Wednesday. "I can't wait for that one," said White. "I played against Victoria Svennson recently which was brilliant for me, and also Hanna Ljungberg. They are both superb forwards. The bigger games are what I play for – I tend to raise my game to a higher level when I play against the big stars." If England are to succeed, White must be true to her word.