As Tottenham Women look to finally end the club’s hunt for a trophy, their manager has a secret weapon which could give them the edge.
Spurs will face Manchester United as both sides bid to win the first major silverware in their history on Sunday, May 12 from 2:30pm, live on talkSPORT 2.
Neither Tottenham nor Manchester United had ever reached the Women’s FA Cup final, meaning that the competition is guaranteed to have a new winner.
Shockingly, is the first time since 2005 that none of Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City have made it to the final.
It means that for a number of the players on both sides, the Wembley showpiece will be an entirely novel experience.
One of those is Tottenham defender and Australian international Charlotte Grant, who made the move from Swedish club Vittsjo at the beginning of the season.
Speaking as part of the Tottenham Hotspur’s ‘Her Journey’ themed evening with TUMI ahead of the final, Grant told talkSPORT just how monumental the occasion was.
“It’s a dream come true for all of us players to play at Wembley”, she said. “For a lot of us, it’s the first time, so we’re really looking forward to the game, and hopefully we can get a good result.”
Grant is not the only new addition to Tottenham this season.
They also welcome Swedish manager Robert Vilahamn, who has already led the squad to finish in the top half of the WSL table as well as spearheading their remarkable FA Cup campaign.
Considering Spurs were fighting against relegation only last season, it is a huge testament to the work he has done.
And Grant revealed there was one particular unconventional aspect of Vilahamn’s training plans that had benefitted the team hugely.
She said: “We do yoga sessions every Tuesday! I think a lot of the girls get so relaxed that we start to fall asleep!
“That’s been really good for us to just wind down after a big week of games on the weekend and then to reset for the week and be ready for the next game.”
Spurs will be hoping their yoga sessions can help them to keep calm and collected in the face of a Manchester United side who will be competing in their second consecutive FA Cup final.
Their comeback 2-1 win over Leicester in the semi-final, as well as their quarter-final penalty shootout victory over giants Manchester City have certainly reflected well upon their manager’s tactics.
Vilahamn was previously manager of BK Hacken in his home country, and Grant reflected on how she had admired his style even when she played in Sweden.
She said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Robert, I played against him in Sweden. So I was already familiar with his playing style. And it was something that I wanted to be a part of when I knew he moved to Spurs.
“He likes his full-backs pushing high, he likes to press high as a team. So I’m really glad I have joined. And he’s really put a lot of belief in me. And, hopefully we can keep progressing as a team and keep pushing forward.”
Man United and Spurs making it to their first ever FA Cup final is another landmark moment in women’s football in a time when milestones are coming thick and fast.
But the journey is far from over.
Grant spoke about how important it was that the women’s game continued to push forward and progress in all areas.
She said: “I think it’s coming a long way already. But I think there’s a lot of different aspects of it.
“I think the facilities of the women’s game is really improving, but it’s still not equal to the men side. I would love to see that to be being treated equal on both sides across the world.
“I think it’s the best it is over here in England, so I would really love to see that in Australia as well. But I think also the pay – I think that’s the big one.
“Some girls still have to work back in Sweden, they’re still working and playing, and I would love to see that girls can just play the game and commit their 100% to the job of playing football.”
Manchester United vs Tottenham in the Women’s FA Cup final is live on talkSPORT 2 on Sunday 12 May from 2:30pm.
News Summary:
- Tottenham stars reveal secret weapon ahead of Women’s FA Cup final with Manchester United
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