Katrina Gorry’s partner sends Matildas star a heartfelt message after pair suffered the loss of a loved one just before World Cup win over France
Katrina Gorry’s partner has sent a touching message to the Matildas midfielder after the pair suffered the tragic loss of a loved one in the days before Australia’s thrilling World Cup quarter-final against France.
Gorry, who turned 31 on Sunday, kissed a message taped to her wrist and pointed skyward after scoring Australia’s sixth penalty attempt on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.
After the match, she revealed through tears that she had been dealing with a personal tragedy during the week with the father of her partner, Swedish footballer Clara Markstedt, passing away.
Markstedt had returned home during the week and the Matildas were all wearing black armbands in respect to the situation – and Gorry had also penned a tribute onto the tape of her left wrist.
‘My fiancee’s dad passed away a couple of nights ago. It has been a tough 48 hours for me but it was a nice night for me to be with them,’ she said.
Katrina Gorry kissed her left wrist – where she had penned a tribute to her fiance’s father – and pointed skyward after scoring Australia’s sixth penalty attempt
‘My head has been everywhere tonight but I know I have full support, not just here, but the family in Sweden too. Tonight, I just wanted to make him proud.’
On Sunday, as birthday wishes rolled in for the Matildas star, Clara posted her own personal message on social media.
‘Happy birthday my love,’ she posted on Instagram, alongside several photos of the couple together with their daughter Harper.
‘I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to do life with. You truly are my rock through everything. I love you always.’
Gorry’s midfield teammate Kyrya Cooney-Cross was quick to comment on the post, saying: ‘Cutie patooties’.
Matildas defender Charlotte Grant also replied to the post with a love emoji.
Grant also posted another message on her own Instagram story as she wished Gorry many happy returns.
‘Happy birthday to my second mum’, she posted, alongside a collage of photos.
Gorry (pictured with Clara Markstedt) said the win against France was bittersweet but there was no way she was not going to play
Gorry says football is her ‘happy place’ where she can leave everything else behind
The Matildas star and Markstedt pictured with baby daughter Harper
‘You’re such an inspiration to everyone around you on and off the field. Words can’t describe how grateful I am for you. Love you.’
Gorry described playing against France as bittersweet, but ruled out any idea that she would have pulled out because of the tragedy.
‘Football is my happy place, everything just leaves when you get on the field,’ she said.
‘When you have the girls backing you up every step of the way, you have so much belief that we’ll just keep on going.
‘It was tough, but every moment we locked with teammates’ eyes we had the belief that, if it came to it, we could go right to the end – to penalties – and win.
‘It went for a lot longer than we expected. We put on a show. I am glad the Brissy crowd got behind us. We really needed them.
‘We had the belief in ourselves that we could get through the pens and I think you could see it. We were standing together as a group. We never let go of each other.’