Women's football stuff that doesn't deserve its own thread

[Howe_zat]

We can, in fact, keep getting away with this

 

[Ali TT]

Pleased we've made another final, but, aside from the Dutch game, we haven't looked good getting there, have we?

Not sure we can draw any conclusions from the predictable pasting of the Leekettes who are, as one understands, part timers.

Feels like we've had more jam than Roberton's.

Yeah, but it's nice to be going through a period where England teams can be mediocre but still make it through to finals of tournaments.

Compared to mediocre and getting knocked out early. There will be at least 14 teams who will be jealous of English "mediocrity" in this tournament.

 

[Molehill]

Yeah, but it's nice to be going through a period where England teams can be mediocre but still make it through to finals of tournaments.

Compared to mediocre and getting knocked out early. There will be at least 14 teams who will be jealous of English "mediocrity" in this tournament.

Yep, probably very little between England, Germany, Sweden and France, but I suspect only one of them will be in the Final. Mind you, I do think England's ceiling is probably higher than the others, they're just not performing to that level at the mo.

And they do have an ok recent record against Spain too....

 

[ripper868]

Suspecting one of England, Germany, Sweden or France is interesting deduction, when England have made it to the final and Germany are in the other semi final tonight v Spain

 

[Magrat Garlick]

I'm probably coloured by the wrong type of Lionesses doing well but it has been a pretty mid tournament, another sign of national team football entering an era of managed decline

 

[Molehill]

Suspecting one of England, Germany, Sweden or France is interesting deduction, when England have made it to the final and Germany are in the other semi final tonight v Spain

I'm not sure you got my point. I'd be very surprised if Germany beat Spain who are generally a level above the others.

 

[Ali TT]

Pretty even in the other semi so far. Germany wasted a couple of gilt-edged chances while also grateful to their keeper for a fantastic save

 

[Molehill]

Pretty even in the other semi so far. Germany wasted a couple of gilt-edged chances while also grateful to their keeper for a fantastic save

The last 15 mins were definitely not even, Spain in complete control.

Controversial opinion maybe, but the BBC appear to have 8 females working on this game and not a single man. Ian Wright has done great things for women’s football and his enthusiasm and knowledge on ITV undoubtedly helps bring more male viewers to the game. The BBC really should do likewise. And I say that as a man who enjoys watching women’s sports.

 

[Ali TT]

The last 15 mins were definitely not even, Spain in complete control.

Controversial opinion maybe, but the BBC appear to have 8 females working on this game and not a single man. Ian Wright has done great things for women’s football and his enthusiasm and knowledge on ITV undoubtedly helps bring more male viewers to the game. The BBC really should do likewise. And I say that as a man who enjoys watching women’s sports.

Yeah but Ian Wright is Ian Wright. Not sure Danny Murphy would have quite the same impact.

 

[Ali TT]

Both sides looking very beatable

 

[Molehill]

Best team won, shame it was an error from the previously excellent Berger which decided it. Spain start faves for the final, but seen enough there to know England can cause them trouble. Biggest concern would be defence handing over cheap ball in dangerous places.

 

[ripper868]

I'm not sure you got my point. I'd be very surprised if Germany beat Spain who are generally a level above the others.

Ah I see it now - the suggestion that England will be the only as Germany are going to lose (or have rather lost) lose to Spain. English is my first and only language so I'm sure you can understand the mix up

Was certainly closer than might have expected, which I guess gives some hope to the Lionesses.

 

[Molehill]

Ah I see it now - the suggestion that England will be the only as Germany are going to lose (or have rather lost) lose to Spain. English is my first and only language so I'm sure you can understand the mix up

Was certainly closer than might have expected, which I guess gives some hope to the Lionesses.

Yeah, Germany certainly had a few chances even if they were generally outplayed. But the Germans had a very solid defence who were able to hold the Spanish at bay for long periods, I'm not sure England have that. I fear playing out from the back will lead to issues too. However, we have better attacking players than the Germans so fancy us to score at some point. Spain obviously start favourites, but it's no slam dunk.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

I'm probably coloured by the wrong type of Lionesses doing well but it has been a pretty mid tournament, another sign of national team football entering an era of managed decline

I've not watched as much as I would have liked and generally I root for England due to the City connection but I would agree - it's been a bad tournament so far. I think the workload on the players is showing - I know they don't play as much as the men but it's a much less mature sport overall - they all look absolutely knackered from kickoff.

 

[Molehill]

I've not watched as much as I would have liked and generally I root for England due to the City connection but I would agree - it's been a bad tournament so far. I think the workload on the players is showing - I know they don't play as much as the men but it's a much less mature sport overall - they all look absolutely knackered from kickoff.

Not sure I quite buy that. We've ended up with an England v Spain Final, the two countries with the strongest leagues and whose teams contested the Champions League Final. They've played more competitive football than any other nation and yet they're in the Final.

The QF's had 3 cracking games whilst the semis were hardly rubbish. They're obviously benefitting from no other real sport on in the evenings at the mo, but the level of interest in the UK seems pretty strong.

My youngest has taken to going to the pub to watch games with her mates, says there's quite a few doing it. Takes me back to being a youngster again (although she's yet to suffer the penalty shoot out heartache that we got so regularly).

 

[wpdavid]

Yeah but Ian Wright is Ian Wright. Not sure Danny Murphy would have quite the same impact.

The BBC have used Nedum Onuoha from time to time in these euros.

Probably should have replied to @Molehill actually.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

I've not watched as much as I would have liked and generally I root for England due to the City connection but I would agree - it's been a bad tournament so far. I think the workload on the players is showing - I know they don't play as much as the men but it's a much less mature sport overall - they all look absolutely knackered from kickoff.

Germany v Spain was quite fun at least, the goalkeepers got to show off some real nice moves and the match got decided by a Bonmati magic. But yeah, we've both watched a fair bit of women's ball in our time so I know you're not dragging them in bad faith.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Germany v Spain was quite fun at least, the goalkeepers got to show off some real nice moves and the match got decided by a Bonmati magic. But yeah, we've both watched a fair bit of women's ball in our time so I know you're not dragging them in bad faith.

No bad intention - I watch more women's football at the moment than men's - mostly due to them generally kicking off earlier and me being a old man now - but still. Perhaps I worded myself a little strongly but I mostly meant in the quality of play rather than entertainment value - there's been some nail biters and some magic but generally the quality of play has really stepped down in moments. Players like Bronze, Walsh, Stanway, Paredes, Pajor, Bacha etc have looked off the pace and it's no surprise considering they've all played a mountain of games over the last two years. The stars like Putellas, Kelly etc have all played less games or had significant injuries in the same time period.

I realise I'm generalising a bit but I do worry for the players in the run up to the next World Cup. I suspect a lot of ACL injuries are coming.