When England step out onto the pitch at Koning Willem II Stadium on Tuesday, the Euro 2017 finals will seem that little bit closer.
The Lionesses, who qualified unbeaten for the tournament, will bring their year to a close by taking on European Championship hosts Netherlands in Tilburg.
The match is taking place at the same venue where Mark Sampson’s side will meet Portugal in their final group match next summer.
Netherlands v England
Women's International
6pm (GMT), Tuesday 29 November
Koning Willem II Stadion, Tilburg
Live on BBC Red Button, BBC Sport website
And assistant coach Marieanne Spacey believes this experience could prove invaluable in England’s Euro preparations.
She said: “This is a great opportunity for us.
“That familiarisation will be so important for the players and the staff, even down to the logistical things such as finding out the distance from the hotel to the ground.
“And playing at the stadium will only serve to get the girls even more enthused – if they can get anymore enthused about playing in a major tournament.
“But we know that Holland will be looking to put on a good game to show what they can do as the host of these finals.
“We know they will be looking to try and get their country behind them ahead of the finals and they will see this game as an opportunity to put down a marker.
“Netherlands are a strong opponent and we’ll have to be at our best to beat them.”
As well as a familiarisation exercise, Spacey explained that the England squad will travel to Tilburg determined to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches.
They have not lost since a 2-1 reverse against European champions Germany in March.
Spacey added: “This has been a fantastic year for us and we want to see it out with a good result.
“The girls are pleased to have gone nine unbeaten but they obviously want to make it 10. That would be the same with any team – we want to win every game we play.
“It’s important to keep up the momentum of winning games and putting in good performances. We want to come away from Netherlands 10 unbeaten and with another win under our belts.
“We want the players to go into this game as if it’s the European Championship final or semi-final. This is a big game for both sides because the finals are now so close.”
England congregated at St. George’s Park on Wednesday evening but there was one notable absentee; the head coach.
Sampson is on paternity leave, having celebrated the birth of his first child – a baby girl – two weeks ago.
He will travel to Tilburg to watch the match but has left preparations in the capable hands of his coaching team.
Spacey said: “Mark can take his paternity leave knowing that we’re all comfortable with what he wants to achieve from this camp.
“Between [goalkeeping coach] Lee Kendall, [assistant coach] Geraint Twose and me, we’ve got a really strong group in Mark’s absence.
“We know what he wants from us and we know what needs to happen.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us as coaches but more importantly, it’s a fantastic time for Mark and his family.
“No-one ever really switches off from football but he’s got another priority at the moment which is brilliant.”
