DEVENTER, August 1, 2017 - It has been one hugestep at a time for England as they now find themselves in the semi-final of theUEFA Women's EURO in the Netherlands - a terrain even defending championsGermany surprisingly failed to tread.

In what proved to be a largely cageycontest against one of the tournament's favourites France, the Lionessesshowed tough mental strength as they dug deep to secure a 1-0 victory- their first win over France since 1974, thanks to the tournament's topscorer Jodie Taylor, whose fifth it was.

Now, from being given a mere outside chance tolooking likely for the title, the Lionesses have restored belief in theirfans as they have their eyes set on the Netherlands in the last four.

"This tournament has shown that the favouriteshaven't gone the way they had hoped so we need to be fully prepared for thissemi-final," England coach Mark Sampson pointed out at the post-matchpress conference.  

"We've excited the English public. We'revery proud to have captured imaginations. It will be a huge game against thehosts. We have to find a way to compete with a big Netherlands team next,and a way to the final. We believe, but we can't just expect anything," hesaid.

Sampson who admitted to always being underpressure in any kind of match, competitive or not, knew what his players had togo through to keep the score line in their favour in spite of LesBleues' barrage on their goal area.

"I'm incredibly proud of the players.However long that game went on we weren't going to be broken down. This is aFrench team who without a doubt are one of the best in the world, but we groundout another result."

When he was asked about the in-form Jodie Taylorwhose reliability in front of goal is another key factor to their progress, Sampsondescribed her as a "cog in his team".

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For France, unfortunately, their quarter-finalhoodoo continues despite having to bear the favourites tag. Like in 2009 and2013, they have been kicked out of the Women's EURO in the last eight butPlayer of the Match, Amandine Henry would not attribute it to "mentalblock" because she believes they had a good game.

The stand-in captain who plies her trade withPortland Thorns in the USA added: "We didn't deserve to concede a goallike that, but we played with fire. What we lacked were aggression, creativityand a little craziness. We now have to focus on the future and set our sightson the World Cup in France. We need to bounce back, but right now it'sdifficult."

It is rare to see a player from the losing teamclaim the Player of the Match award, however Henry, in response to a questionasked by AIPS, revealed "I would like to exchange it with aqualification."

With the Women's EURO now past tense for France,they would want to settle their scores with major tournaments at the 2019 FIFAWomen's World Cup on home soil. France coach Olivier Echouafni, statedthis clearly when he said, "It is true that I am really disappointed buttonight, the adventure has stopped for the EURO but we are already preparing forthe World Cup."

Follow Chibuogwu Nnadiegbulam on Twitter @Chibuogwu_N

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