Frosty Nations League preparations for women’s squad

All eyes were on Gibraltar women’s squad as they faced last week the first of two training camp matches against dutch and german opponents.
A frosty cold evening awaited the Gibraltar senior women’s team as they faced SpVgg Verden on what was an uneven grass pitch.
It was a farcry from the mild warm conditions of the Victoria Stadium and Europa Point for the team, who after a week of preparation stepped out onto the field with some optimism.
However, going behind in the first half, it was resurgence in the second half, with the type of determination and grit they showed against Andorra just weeks earlier which had seen them stop Andorra from scoring in the second half that brought about a tense finale.
Gibraltar women although facing defeat coming away with some positives as they walked away with the narrowest of defeats against an experienced and unknown side in conditions which they had rarely played in before.
The team was to play their second match last evening with results in the forthcoming editions.
(as appeared in Wednesday's edition)

Preparing for the “dream” they cannot believe is really happening
The Gibraltar women’s national team began their training camp matches last week, facing a narrow defeat in Enschede against SpVgg Vreden.
In the first of two scheduled training matches, Scott Wiseman’s squad showed a resurgence in the second half, ultimately falling 3-2. The performance provided some optimism as the team continues preparing for their debut in international competitive football next February.
The training camp introduced new faces to the squad, with players coming through the ranks, some of whom have previously competed at the U19 level. The senior squad, however, is still awaiting its competitive international debut, which is set to take place in the Women’s Nations League in February.
The training camp, which included a match against Twente, has highlighted many challenges the players will face as they step onto the international stage. Players encountered frosty cold weather, muddy grass pitches, intensive training, and a complete focus on the sport—from analysis and preparation to practice and match execution. By facing teams from the Netherlands and Germany, the camp aimed to provide valuable experience for the journey ahead.
As the Nations League approaches, there was unanimous excitement among players. Andrya Rowbottom, Naomi Victor, and Charlyann Pizzarello described February as a “dream” come true.
In comments shared on the Gibraltar FA’s social media platforms, Pizzarello said:
“It’s what I’ve wanted since I was a little girl. It’s so exciting, especially with this build-up—it’s getting closer and closer. I feel we’re going into it as strong as we’ve ever been. We’re doing well, and I’m excited.”

Naomi Victor echoed her sentiments:
“It’s like a dream coming true, something I’ve worked really hard for. The majority of us cannot believe it is happening.”
Despite the excitement, the focus remained firmly on preparation. Reflecting on the team’s second-half resurgence against Vreden, Pizzarello acknowledged areas for improvement:
“We now know where we need to build on.”
In an interview on social media, the experienced player—who has competed in the U.S., Spain, and England—described the mixed feelings after the narrow loss:
“It was unfortunate not to take the result we wanted after working all week towards this.”
However, she emphasized the importance of long-term progress:
“We have to look at the bigger picture. We have progress to make, and we need to focus on what we did well and where we fell short, so we can build on those aspects going into the second game with positive outcomes.”
Discussing the challenges of the frosty weather and European winter conditions, Pizzarello highlighted the importance of adaptability:
“It’s massive. We need to adjust to any sort of environment—be it hot, cold, a poor pitch, grass, or astro. We’re going to face it all and need to be as prepared as possible. Last night was just another situation we must be ready for come February.”
She also spoke about the team’s philosophy under Wiseman’s leadership:
“A lot of our focus is on building our game plan and identity. We’re not a team that adjusts our play solely based on opponents. We’re developing our own character, and Scott is doing a great job in that respect. We’re focusing on analysis and training, and we’re heading in the right direction.”
The camp included off-the-field elements as well, with sessions dedicated to analysis and tactical understanding. This comprehensive approach underscores the association’s commitment to preparing the players for the challenges ahead.
Veteran player Andrya Rowbottom, who has been a consistent part of the squad since Gibraltar’s UEFA membership, emphasized the significance of these preparations:
“They are absolutely fundamental. We’re going to face really strong opponents in the Nations League, and this is a great way for us to gauge where we are.”

Reflecting on the team’s progress, Rowbottom added:
“We’ve taken some really big steps forward. Of course, there have been minor setbacks, but every team faces them. As long as we learn from them, we can keep moving forward.”
With new players emerging through the ranks, the team’s experienced members have welcomed the influx of fresh talent. Rowbottom remarked:
“It’s always good to see new faces, especially in the camp. They’ve adapted really well, and it shows the progress of women’s football in Gibraltar.”

The team was set to face Twente on Tuesday evening, a significant test following their recent double-header friendly against Andorra.

Images Courtesy Gibraltar FA