Gareth Taylor’s squad will have representatives at this summer’s tournament, flying the flag for England, Sweden, Norway and Spain respectively.
The competition gets under way on Wednesday 6 July, when host nation England lock horns with Austria at Old Trafford.
And Hemp is sure to play an important role in the tournament opener and in any potential success for the Lionesses this summer.
Player profile
Position: Winger
Birthplace: North Walsham, England
Date of birth: 7 August 2000
Age: 21
Height: 5’ 4” (163cm)
Hemp claims fourth PFA Young Player of the Year
Appearances
City: 103
Senior debut: v Chelsea, 9 September 2018
Goals: 44
International: 21
Senior debut: v Portugal, 8 October 2019
Goals: 7
Honours
City: FA Cup winner (2018/19, 2019/20), Continental Cup winner (2018/19, 2021/22)
England: Arnold Clark Cup (2022)
Individual: PFA Young Player of the Year (2017/18, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22), PFA WSL Team of the Year (2020/21, 2021/22), England Young Player of the Year (2017), UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament (2017)
About Lauren
Hemp comes into a monumental tournament this summer off the back of another staggeringly good season at Manchester City.
The youngster was one of City’s shining lights across the campaign, finishing as the Club’s top scorer with 21 goals and ten assists in all competitions.
Hemp’s elite ability to carry her team up the pitch, her threat in transition and quality on the ball in the final third explain her recent accolades – including a record fourth PFA Young Player of the Year - and the integral role she will play in any potential England success at Women’s Euro 2022.
Hemp makes PFA Team of the Year
It will therefore no doubt excite England and City fans alike to hear that she still believes there is plenty of room to grow yet.
Indeed, despite her blistering pace, low centre of gravity and uncanny ability to glide past opponents, the winger’s attitude has also won her plenty of plaudits over the years.
Always looking to improve her game despite coming into this summer’s tournament as one of the Lionesses’ most exciting talents, Hemp still believes she is far from the finished article.
“Whether it’s cutting inside, going on the outside, shooting, crossing, things like that – driving at a player, it’s my decisions I need to improve,” she explained ahead of this summer’s European Championships.
“Obviously when you get the ball and everyone comes towards you it’s that split second decision and what you’re going to do on the ball, that’s one of the massive things I’ve been working on this year.
“I think with the decision-making then comes becoming more consistent with goals, the assists, and things like that. That will show in my stats.
“At the moment I think I just use my right foot to stand on! So that is another one of the many things I’d like to improve. There are a lot of little things and it’s about now putting that together.”
Verging on her big move to Manchester four years ago, an 18-year-old Hemp was part of the England team who finished 3rd at the FIFA U20s Women’s World Cup.
And she will hoping the senior squad can go two better this summer by reaching the final and lifting the coveted trophy in front of a home crowd.
Fixtures
England v Austria
Wednesday 6 July, 20:00
Old Trafford, Manchester
BBC One
England v Norway
Monday 11 July, 20:00
American Express Community Stadium, Brighton
BBC
Northern Ireland v England
Friday 15 July, 20:00
St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
BBC
Ollie Spencer is a Football Journalism student at the University of Derby who are reporting on the Women’s Euros.
