North

Evans prepares for full-time football

Thursday, 14 June 2012

UEFA Women's Euro 2013 Qualifiers
Scotland v Israel
Saturday 16th June 2012, kick-off 3 pm
Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh

Tickets available on the gate, priced £5/2

Republic of Ireland v Scotland
Thursday 21st June 2012, kick-off 7.30 pm
Turner’s Cross Stadium, Cork

Scotland forward Lisa Evans is living the dream after agreeing a move to German giants Turbine Potsdam.

The 20-year-old caught the eye of the Bundesliga champions when they came up against Glasgow City in the last 16 of the UEFA Women's Champions League last season.

Potsdam went on to reach the final of last seasons tournament, and have lifted the Champions League twice in the past. When she travels to Germany for pre-season training in July, Lisa will become one of only a handful of Scottish women who have become full-time professional players.

Lisa said: "To be honest, it hasn't really sunk in that I am moving to one of the biggest leagues in women's football. I don't think it will seem real until I'm over there and getting into the way of things.

"I'm really excited to get this opportunity. I'm a bit nervous as well, but I know I just need to grab it by the scruff of the neck.

"I've always wanted to be a full time professional, even when I was a wee girl I knew that was what I wanted to do.

"Of course I've enjoyed working and going to university, but the reality is, if the chance to do what you love comes along you have to take it."

Lisa has spent the past four years at Glasgow City, winning every domestic trophy, and making history by becoming the first Scottish team to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, and admits that it will be a wrench to leave.

She said: "I've loved playing for Glasgow City, and it definitely had to take a big club to persuade me to leave.

"I've enjoyed being part of a fantastic club and had so many good times over the past few years. It was a very hard decision to leave, but when a club like Potsdam are interested in you it is very difficult to say no.

"I'm looking forward to getting over there, trying to establish myself in the team, and hopefully helping the club to win more Bundesliga and Champions League titles."

Before she leaves for Germany, Lisa has two UEFA Women's Euro qualifiers to tackle. First up is Saturday's match against Israel at Tynecastle, followed by Republic of Ireland in Cork next Thursday.

Scotland defeated Israel 6-1 in their opening match of the campaign, and Lisa admits that there is pressure to replicate that result.

"It is quite often a difficult situation to be in when people expect you to win a match, but it is a situation that you want to be in.

"You do feel the pressure, and we put pressure on ourselves as well, but that is because we know that this team is getting better and better and we want to win every time we step onto the pitch.

"We will need to be focused to get the result we need against Israel on Saturday, before we can even think about the Republic of Ireland match. We're in second place in the group now, and we want to win every one of our last four games to make sure we get a play-off place."