Morning all.
It’s World Cup Final day with England taking on Spain. I worry as so much fuss has been made about 1966 and the chance to do what hasn’t been done since then. I dread to think of the negativity in the news tomorrow should England be beaten. Spain are favourites apparently but I’m not sure why or how.
The two sides met in the Euros with Spain taking the lead in the second half through Esther Gonzalez. It looked like being the winner until an 84th minute equaliser from Ella Toone sent the game to extra-time. Georgia Stanway produced a moment of magic to win the game. The final against Germany was even more exciting as England again won in it extra time.
As far as I’m concerned, today, as well as the Euros before, is about the women’s game and not the men. It’s about how far the women’s game has come since my days of playing back in the late 70’s. There’s no need to compare the women’s teams with the men because the two are worlds apart. Physicality, speed, strength and of course, time and money. A fan of football will have enjoyed this World Cup I’m sure but many a football fan of only the mens game will probably have laughed at it because they expecting to see the level of their own team be played.
It’s no different to watching academy football, or the women’s final at one of the bigger tennis tournaments where ladies don’t hit their first serve or a forehand return as hard as their male counterparts. Watching the Solheim Cup rather than the Ryder Cup – the quality is clear to see but a drive might travel a few yards less, a 4 iron not as far but on the green, you’ll see so so much skill and accuracy with a putter.
I’ve used this analogy before I know but if you’re suddenly required to go on a gluten free diet, if you compare like for like when switching products, you’ll be disappointed but if you accept it for what it is, an alternative, you might actually enjoy it.
I can’t wait for kick off at 11am and yes, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this World Cup so far but then perhaps I’m biased because I know how far the women’s game has come. Don’t get me wrong though, some of the matches have been pretty dire but then I’ve watched many a men’s Euros and World Cup and it’s been the same. The general pattern of any big tournament seems to be that it’s not until the knockouts begin that we see the best. With exceptions along the way of course.
Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy are Arsenal’s representatives in today’s final but it’s not about club football today, it’s about England. It’s about Sarina Wiegman and plan a, b, c, d and e which apparently she has. It’s about one last big performance in this competition. It’s about bringing the big trophy home to England for women’s football. For women’s sport. Not men’s, women’s.
Catch up in the comments and I’ll be the one wearing a tin hat.
Good morning Rico, no need for a tin hat in my opinion, I’m all in favour of women’s football and I think it has come a long way over the last few seasons, no it’s not as physical as the men’s game but it is just as skilful and often more entertaining. That said, England certainly put a bit of stick about in the semi-final and I don’t expect Spain to be lacking in that aspect of the game.
This is going to be one tough game, the Aussies in the crowd will make it into hostile environment for the Lionesses and we can only hope for a genuinely impartial set of officials.
I won’t even try to say who will win, so I can only hope.
Afternoon Rico and all,
Good luck England.🏆
Morning Cicero, Geoff.
I know you enjoy it Cicero, the academy games too.
So far Spain are technically more advanced than England they play with the ball where we tend to send it long . So dar a contrast of styles . Rather like when we played Barca at Wembley.
Agreed.
Morning rico, house. Not the half time score we wanted, let’s hope we get more possession and chances 2nd half.
England needs to change something.
Morning Andrew, I hope so. Fully expect Toon to soon be replaced as she’s not in the game. Need to make that final ball count too..
Massive 45 minutes..
Penalty to Spain, if they score the game will be over.
Saved by Mary Earps! Phew
way off her line though
Player kicks ball away after being on a yellow, carry on. But like watching Arsenal😀
Best player on the pitch Soain’s number 6 . Ran the midfield , always positive . England ran out of steam and resorted to physicality which the Spanish took advantage of .
Absolutely deflated…
The better team won,
Oh well that didn’t go to plan. The one – nil score line is testament to England’s defensive quality but exposes a distinct lack of scoring ability. It may be anathema to criticise individual players, but Lucy Bronze was way out of position when she lost possession in the centre circle, allowing Spain free access to the space she had vacated and from which they conjured an exquisite goal.
I don’t think we can blame much on the officials, they made errors that, on balance, didn’t penalise one side more than the other.
To me Spain seemed too out pace the English ladies.
I wonder how much of an advantage Spain had, with 5 of its players in the same team for a normal season
I don’t know, playing ten minutes against what should have been ten players might have made a difference, as might an early booking for the players who clattered into Hemp in the first half.
Saying that, Spain were the better team.
Getting to the final is still a fine achievement by this England team, if promoted thoughtfully this should still give the women’s game another big boost.
Disappointed with the result. Still a good tournament for the ladies. I really didn’t think they’d make the final! Espescially after their first game against Haiti.
I’m left wondering whether they would have won the gold medal if their three world class players had been fit? Mead, Williamson and Kirby?? We’ll never know but I believe they may well have done so. Still there’s always the next one. That’s the marvellous thing about football you can always have another go at it.
Give it an hour or so and the Daily Mail will print every negative there is..
Agreed Wavy. Same for Arsenal and what might have been had Williamson, Mead and Viv not been injured.
Too true Rico, too true.
Season changers I feel a bit robbed, on their behalves. Still, they’ll all be back soon and then we’ll be a force to be reckoned with, again. Both the the Arsenal ladies and England also.
The future.s looking brighter already.
I understand how you feel Wavy.
Yep, get the WSL up and going again and hopefully it’ll be a much better year for the ladies. The men too I hope but I worry about our defence.
Wow, West Ham beat Chelsea 3-1 and after having a player sent off.
Well that Chelsea result has cheered me right up !
All that money spent too – I don’t know how they get away with it.
Man United just as bad.
I see Paqueta got the third goal for West Ham, I wonder if he had a bet on himself scoring an injury time penalty. 😉
New post up.