England Women, Champions of Europe

[elhombrecito]

1 hour ago, Paddy31 said:

English Football League top Division

Mean goals per game in 1889 - 4.6

Mean goals per game in 2021 - 2.8

Correlation is not causation and there are a dozen other confounding factors (rule changes, increased professionalism and training, etc), so I am NOT saying that the taller keepers reduce the number of goals, but it could be a contributing factor.

And you are correct about the mean height of men in 1880. It was about 167cm (5'5") , compared to a modern woman being 165cm (5'4").

I should have been born in the 19th century... I'd be above average height 

[maxjak]

6 hours ago, Paddy31 said:

Goal sizes are designed for male player dimensions. Females tend to be shorter and have less explosivity when it comes to jumping. That means that female keepers generally need to play closer to their line in order to avoid being caught out by a lobbed shot.

This can make them look less dominant than their male equivalent and also means that there are shots that a man would reach, that a woman will not.

Also:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/07/19/womens-euros-2022-goalkeeping-goals-sexism/

Interesting article, but why don't they recruit taller female goalkeepers?   It is not all about height though, there have been some relatively short male keeper's who have done extremely well?   But it is not just about crosses and saves, it is also about dominating your penalty area and cutting out basic errors.  Good luck to women goalkeepers, may they prosper.  But taking the Norway game as an example, 50% of the goals were down to poor defending and poor goalkeeping rather than excellent creative forward play?  Women's football has come on leaps and bounds, so hopefully specialist outstanding women goalkeepers will eventually emerge?  PS. It can make them appear less dominant, because they are less dominant........surely?

Edited July 21, 2022 by maxjak

[maxjak]

4 hours ago, Grey Fox said:

Yes, and I remember all the great England men goalkeepers, check out England v USA {South Africa) or England v Wales [In France} for starters..

 

Enjoy the woman’s game as it is, last night was great

Those are just isolated incidents, that prove nothing. Even the worlds greatest goalkeepers will make mistakes...but as a percentage of their performances over time they tend to be massively efficient and influential in the success of the team's they play for?  The women's' game has improved greatly, and is entertaining at times, last night England were extremely fortunate  to win, I feel Spain lost it , rather than England won it.   Yeah, last night was great at times, and England eventually turned up after 75 minutes, but give me a Men's  Premiership /Championship top of the table clash everytime, if i want to be truly entertained?

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

5 hours ago, Numero Uno said:

Yes, still a massive weakness overall. I know I really shouldn’t compare and I’ve said before the mens and women’s games are totally different but Bentley HOLDS the winner last night, not just saves it. The goal just looked wrong regardless of the quality of the strike.

However, the young Dutch keeper who got chucked in due to injury looks really impressive and unusually comes for crosses (the nearest I’ve seen that plays like a bloke) and the Austrian keeper very decent too. England’s keeper is a shot stopper and really doesn’t want to come for a high ball unless she has to.

No way Bentley holds the winner, Basso maybe. 

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

6 hours ago, slartibartfast said:

oh, calm down love !  My point exactly, I was out having a fag when England must have scored the winner, not a peep from anyone in the area, if it had been the men's, it would have been bedlam !   I'm not knocking the woman's game or their achievements, more the forced euphoria from the media !

Bedlam? Mass fainting from shock perhaps. 

[grifty]

53 minutes ago, maxjak said:

Those are just isolated incidents, that prove nothing. Even the worlds greatest goalkeepers will make mistakes...but as a percentage of their performances over time they tend to be massively efficient and influential in the success of the team's they play for?  The women's' game has improved greatly, and is entertaining at times, last night England were extremely fortunate  to win, I feel Spain lost it , rather than England won it.   Yeah, last night was great at times, and England eventually turned up after 75 minutes, but give me a Men's  Premiership /Championship top of the table clash everytime, if i want to be truly entertained?

Don't watch it if the football doesn't entertain you enough. The fact you're expecting the level of skill and entertainment to match a mens prem game just shows how little you know.

[maxjak]

33 minutes ago, grifty said:

Don't watch it if the football doesn't entertain you enough. The fact you're expecting the level of skill and entertainment to match a mens prem game just shows how little you know.

Ah! so it is my ignorance that is causing me not to be entertained? ....Thanks, i wouldn't of thought of that.  Your two response's so far have been a confused symbol (Are you not able to articulate your point of view?).......and a glib, arrogant  remark that seems to say more about you, than me.     If you cannot do better than that, please don't bother replying, as it is just pointless, if you have not got a more interesting viewpoint, than just having a sad dig at me?              ,             

[Numero Uno]

6 hours ago, Grey Fox said:

Yes, and I remember all the great England men goalkeepers, check out England v USA {South Africa) or England v Wales [In France} for starters..

 

Enjoy the woman’s game as it is, last night was great

Firstly I did enjoy last night particularly the way Spain knocked the ball around for 70 minutes. They played some lovely football before their coach had a brain freeze and decided sitting back was a better plan than controlling the possession. They were significantly more accomplished in possession than England on the night.

I generally don’t compare Women’s and Mens football particularly from a pace and power perspective where it is simply unfair and pointless to do so. However tactically and technically the women’s game has improved massively and the game is unrecognisable from 20 years ago and credit to all for that.

The remaining elephant in the room is that technically the Goalkeeping has not improved at the same speed as the outfield play. Pointing out individual errors from men doesn’t alter that. Unfortunately for her the Spanish keeper made two basic positioning and footwork errors for the England winner meaning her dive had nowhere near enough height to pull off a straightforward enough save from a great but relatively central strike. A GK coach will be far more pissed off with that than if she had made a handling error and conceded cos that happens with the very best not just average keepers.

The problem seems to be that you are not allowed to point out anything negative after watching a ladies game although it’s ok for the posters who get outraged at any criticism of a woman player to verbally abuse Zak Vyner every week cos he’s a bloke……

Edited July 21, 2022 by Numero Uno

[Grey Fox]

7 hours ago, maxjak said:

Those are just isolated incidents, that prove nothing. Even the worlds greatest goalkeepers will make mistakes...but as a percentage of their performances over time they tend to be massively efficient and influential in the success of the team's they play for?  The women's' game has improved greatly, and is entertaining at times, last night England were extremely fortunate  to win, I feel Spain lost it , rather than England won it.   Yeah, last night was great at times, and England eventually turned up after 75 minutes, but give me a Men's  Premiership /Championship top of the table clash everytime, if i want to be truly entertained?

We are all football fans, so you can enjoy both . As to last night I agree Spain lost a match they should have won, but I have seen that plenty of times in the mens game (Real Madrid’s Champions League title this year for starters or ManU’s win over Bayern Munich for that famous treble)

 

[Grey Fox]

5 hours ago, Numero Uno said:

Firstly I did enjoy last night particularly the way Spain knocked the ball around for 70 minutes. They played some lovely football before their coach had a brain freeze and decided sitting back was a better plan than controlling the possession. They were significantly more accomplished in possession than England on the night.

I generally don’t compare Women’s and Mens football particularly from a pace and power perspective where it is simply unfair and pointless to do so. However tactically and technically the women’s game has improved massively and the game is unrecognisable from 20 years ago and credit to all for that.

The remaining elephant in the room is that technically the Goalkeeping has not improved at the same speed as the outfield play. Pointing out individual errors from men doesn’t alter that. Unfortunately for her the Spanish keeper made two basic positioning and footwork errors for the England winner meaning her dive had nowhere near enough height to pull off a straightforward enough save from a great but relatively central strike. A GK coach will be far more pissed off with that than if she had made a handling error and conceded cos that happens with the very best not just average keepers.

The problem seems to be that you are not allowed to point out anything negative after watching a ladies game although it’s ok for the posters who get outraged at any criticism of a woman player to verbally abuse Zak Vyner every week cos he’s a bloke……

I think the Spanish keeper might have been a little peeved that her defence allowed our English girl to go so far unchallenged. Virtually every goal can be blamed on someone, and as to “individual errors “ those by goalkeepers have IMO in this tournament been on more or less than an equivalent mens .Criticise by all means, but don’t unfairly blame all female goalkeepers for a mistake by one. I thought for example the English keeper was great, would you decry her for her opposite numbers errors?

[exAtyeoMax]

I only watched the game on iplayer yesterday but I thought it was a good game. Proper end to end stuff. So much better than the slow boring England men’s games. 
 

[maxjak]

11 hours ago, Grey Fox said:

We are all football fans, so you can enjoy both . As to last night I agree Spain lost a match they should have won, but I have seen that plenty of times in the mens game (Real Madrid’s Champions League title this year for starters or ManU’s win over Bayern Munich for that famous treble)

 

Bristol City v Wolves.......December 2017 ?  Ha!

[Numero Uno]

11 hours ago, Grey Fox said:

I think the Spanish keeper might have been a little peeved that her defence allowed our English girl to go so far unchallenged. Virtually every goal can be blamed on someone, and as to “individual errors “ those by goalkeepers have IMO in this tournament been on more or less than an equivalent mens .Criticise by all means, but don’t unfairly blame all female goalkeepers for a mistake by one. I thought for example the English keeper was great, would you decry her for her opposite numbers errors?

In my opinion the Goalkeeping in women’s football is improving but across the board not at the same rate as the outfield play AT THE MOMENT. Seventeen players in the six yard box at every corner the other night is an example of that. It’s an obvious statement by the coaches and not a tactic commonly used in the mens game because most keepers will deal with it and those that can’t fall by the wayside. Even the female commentators remarked on it as a difference in tactics tbf.

Earps was good the other night but still came for two or three crosses that she got nowhere near, the sort of thing people on here would be up in arms about if it was Bentley in a league game. In that regard Millie Bright is a huge player for England because she gets her head on everything loaded into the box……..she has to. The one keeper I’ve seen actively looking to dominate and really impressed me so far is the Dutch keeper despite being their number 2.

[maxjak]

30 minutes ago, Numero Uno said:

In my opinion the Goalkeeping in women’s football is improving but across the board not at the same rate as the outfield play AT THE MOMENT. Seventeen players in the six yard box at every corner the other night is an example of that. It’s an obvious statement by the coaches and not a tactic commonly used in the mens game because most keepers will deal with it and those that can’t fall by the wayside. Even the female commentators remarked on it as a difference in tactics tbf.

Earps was good the other night but still came for two or three crosses that she got nowhere near, the sort of thing people on here would be up in arms about if it was Bentley in a league game. In that regard Millie Bright is a huge player for England because she gets her head on everything loaded into the box……..she has to. The one keeper I’ve seen actively looking to dominate and really impressed me so far is the Dutch keeper despite being their number 2.

Austrian keeper had a blinder?  Ha!

[Grey Fox]

2 hours ago, maxjak said:

Austrian keeper had a blinder?  Ha!

Sure , it’s not like you ever see a keeper charged down for a silly goal in mens football, just ask any Arsenal fan"………

[maxjak]

2 minutes ago, Grey Fox said:

Sure , it’s not like you ever see a keeper charged down for a silly goal in mens football, just ask any Arsenal fan"………

Or Antoine Semenyo?

[shahanshahan]

What a game it was on Wednesday! Bit late on this, but here are most of the photos I took from Brighton on Wednesday (that I haven't already posted on here)

[shahanshahan]

On 20/07/2022 at 18:31, shahanshahan said:

The last time I was here, I missed Bobby Reid score his goal & then saw Brighton score two back on a Tuesday night in 2015! Hoping for a much better evening tonight. Come on England!

 

We did walk right past a fan at the game in a Gas shirt. Fair to say he was definitely surprised...

[Reigate Red]

Just wondering what would have happened if the world cup was not in Qatar this year - would this have clashed with it and reduced interest?

It could be that the women's game might benefit from the Qatar award fiasco.

[View from the Dolman]

14 minutes ago, Reigate Red said:

Just wondering what would have happened if the world cup was not in Qatar this year - would this have clashed with it and reduced interest?

It could be that the women's game might benefit from the Qatar award fiasco.

This tournament was due to be last year but was postponed so that it wasn't overshadowed by the men's competition. If there had been a World Cup, I think they'd have tried to find a slot to make it have its own period. 

https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/apr/23/uefa-euro-2021-postponed-230420

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

Tonight's Sweden v Belgium game will determine England's semi final opponents. Sweden are at 2 on the FIFA rankings list so are clear favourites but the Belgians have done well to make it to the knockout stages and have nothing to lose. Interesting comment that they're both big teams. Presumably excluding the Belgian left wing back who's tiny and I'd be surprised if she's 5ft tall. 

Edited July 22, 2022 by RoystonFoote'snephew
Text corrrection

[And Its Smith]

Great goal from Sweden ruled out for offside. Looked on to me 

Edited July 22, 2022 by And Its Smith

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

50 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Great goal from Sweden ruled out for offside. Looked on to me 

It was tight but if Brooker's 'goal' against Cardiff was ruled offside then this was a mile off by comparison. 

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

Sweden win 1-0 with a goal in time added on. They were the better side but Belgium probably deserved extra time for their stoic display. 

So it's Sweden for England and nothing to fear unless the Swedes improve significantly. 

[maxjak]

Got to say the commentaries have been ok so far.......but i thought tonight's Sweden/Belgium commentary was awful   ........who was that male co-commentator spouting gibberish?

[Leveller]

2 minutes ago, maxjak said:

Got to say the commentaries have been ok so far.......but i thought tonight's Sweden/Belgium commentary was awful   ........who was that male co-commentator spouting gibberish?

Scott Booth - manager of Lewes.

[maxjak]

3 minutes ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

Sweden win 1-0 with a goal in time added on. They were the better side but Belgium probably deserved extra time for their stoic display. 

So it's Sweden for England and nothing to fear unless the Swedes improve significantly. 

Cannot see Sweden troubling England........I thought their were all bark and no bite? Fortunate to win before Extra time came along?

[maxjak]

Just now, Leveller said:

Scott Booth - manager of Lewes.

Thanks........should maybe stick to his day job?

[Leveller]

Anita Asante - City’s new coach- on BBC2.

[Erithacus]

The Belgians clearly came into the game with a Defend First attitude. Fine, but in the few counter-attacks that happen, it really puts a premium on scoring and tonight there was a definite lack of the clinical, from both teams. All in all a game where both teams cancelled each other out and England will not see much to fear.

3 minutes ago, maxjak said:

who was that male co-commentator spouting gibberish?

Lewes Women F.C. - the team that City did the triple over last season.

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

15 minutes ago, maxjak said:

Got to say the commentaries have been ok so far.......but i thought tonight's Sweden/Belgium commentary was awful   ........who was that male co-commentator spouting gibberish?

Seriously hoping that JP gets the commentary gig for France v Netherlands and that ex Dutch international Anouk Hoogendijk is on the panel again so that, assuming he doesn't suffer from Triskaidekaphobia, he can tell us how many times she played for Bristol Academy in the inaugural WSL season. 

[Grey Fox]

8 hours ago, maxjak said:

Or Antoine Semenyo?

Exactly, enjoy the season

[Erithacus]

Grindingly absorbing game. The French seem to have lost their mojo a tad and the Dutch are working hard to contain them. Slowly the tide is changing but it may need a bit more than extra time to sort this out.

Van Der Gragt has been indomitable and Spitze has put the steel into the midfield. Meanwhile the customary flair and swagger is not so clear from the French. If they could only put one of their many chances away this game would be over.

Will one of the coaches take the risk of abandoning the usual 4-3-3? Either way, the Germans will be enjoying this slog.

[RedRock]

Shoot me down - but credit to the women, the technical ability from the elite teams is on a par, if not exceeding that of top men’s teams. Even some of the keepers are pretty decent…in fact that Dutch keeper save was a worldie.

Have really enjoyed this tournament. Put me down as a convert. 
 

So that’s Brexit and Women’s football I was wrong on. Still waiting to be convinced that CoD should have been given that contract extension mind.

 

[Fjmcity]

Dutch keepers having a worldy- France so much the better team though. Hoping for pens!

[RedRock]

Actually, looking at that Dutch pundit I think we ought to rejoin the EU without delay. 

[Numero Uno]

Just now, Fjmcity said:

Dutch keepers having a worldy- France so much the better team though. Hoping for pens!

When I was getting stick for pointing out that the improvement in Goalkeeping hasn’t caught up with the outfield play in the women’s game I also pointed out at the same time that the Dutch keeper was one of the exceptions and the best in the tournament I had seen (albeit only their Nr 2 before it started). I’ll pick up my prize later……….

[BanburyRed]

Dutch keeper keeping them in this, France should be out of sight....

[Numero Uno]

100% penner that is……..

[Erithacus]

The Dutch were taking a bit of a chance on Miedema being at full fitness after Covid and clearly she was not 100%. That took a big chunk out of their ability to spring good counter-attacks. With her in top condition this result might have gone the other way. They battled all the way but lacked a cutting edge.

The French showed a few flashes of the form of the group stages but had an off night in front of goal. Has the tournament started to seem real now?

The Germans will be sharpening up for the semi final; they will have played France enough times and will be fancying their chances, no doubt.

[CyderInACan]

Great game. Was really rooting for the Dutch. Looking forward to Tuesday now. 

[The Bard]

Looking like an England v Germany final.  

[Barrs Court Red]

5 minutes ago, The Bard said:

Looking like an England v Germany final.  

France should smash Germany, easily the best side there imo.  

[The Bard]

Just now, Barrs Court Red said:

France should smash Germany, easily the best side there imo.  

I'll have a virtual £5 with you that Germany win the Semi Final.  They look really German.

[Barrs Court Red]

2 minutes ago, The Bard said:

I'll have a virtual £5 with you that Germany win the Semi Final.  They look really German.

  I’ve been very impressed with France when I’ve seen them, Germany not so much.  Germans do have that mentality that fits tournament football though, so will be interesting.  
 

I’ll have that virtual bet mate. 

[phantom]

Remaining tickets for the semi finals being released at 10am Monday 

https://access-ticketshop.uefa.com/pkpcontroller/wp/womeneuroshop/index_en.html?queue=q-euro-women

[22A]

15 hours ago, Barrs Court Red said:

France should smash Germany, easily.  

That's what was said in 1940........

[Rob k]

17 hours ago, RedRock said:

Shoot me down - but credit to the women, the technical ability from the elite teams is on a par, if not exceeding that of top men’s teams. Even some of the keepers are pretty decent…in fact that Dutch keeper save was a worldie.

Have really enjoyed this tournament. Put me down as a convert. 
 

So that’s Brexit and Women’s football I was wrong on. Still waiting to be convinced that CoD should have been given that contract extension mind.

 

The technical ability is absolutely nowhere near the mens game, it’s miles off. However, it’s certainly an improvement from where it was. 

[shahanshahan]

So it seems one of the photos featuring me & the City flag taken to the Euros games has made it into this artwork (at the bottom right).

From https://twitter.com/onherside1
P.S. Will be up at Bramall Lane tomorrow night for the semi-final with flag too!

[chinapig]

9 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

So it seems one of the photos featuring me & the City flag taken to the Euros games has made it into this artwork (at the bottom right).

From https://twitter.com/onherside1
P.S. Will be up at Bramall Lane tomorrow night for the semi-final with flag too!

Nice one. And the Robins of Charlton in the bottom left I think.

[SinéadB]

I have a spare ticket to Germany vs France on Wednesday at MK if anyone wants it! Free to a good home

[The Constant Rabbit]

 

Semi-Final at 04.50 am tomorrow.

What a perfect time to get 2 weeks off with Covid - semi-final and hopefully the final on Monday morning.

 

I'll be coughing my support!

[SecretSam]

5 hours ago, The Constant Rabbit said:

 

Semi-Final at 04.50 am tomorrow.

What a perfect time to get 2 weeks off with Covid - semi-final and hopefully the final on Monday morning.

 

I'll be coughing my support!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I must confess with Le Tour on this whole thing has bypassed me, but I'll be watching tonight. 

[SecretSam]

7 hours ago, SinéadB said:

I have a spare ticket to Germany vs France on Wednesday at MK if anyone wants it! Free to a good home

Seriously tempted as I'm local, but I'm not really fit to drive 20+ miles and then sit for 2 hours, shame. Good luck finding a taker (you should put up a separate thread).

[cityexile]

11 minutes ago, SecretSam said:

Seriously tempted as I'm local, but I'm not really fit to drive 20+ miles and then sit for 2 hours, shame. Good luck finding a taker (you should put up a separate thread).

As it happens, I bought three yesterday. Literally 5 min drive for me. Not been to an international semi final since ‘96…

£15 x 3 a bargain. Main challenge is with no real underdog who to support! 

[Super]

Any idea why this semi final is being played at Bramall Lane? 

[shahanshahan]

14 hours ago, The Constant Rabbit said:

 

Semi-Final at 04.50 am tomorrow.

What a perfect time to get 2 weeks off with Covid - semi-final and hopefully the final on Monday morning.

 

I'll be coughing my support!

It's coughing home!

But seriously, I hope you get well soon!

[shahanshahan]

2 hours ago, Super said:

Any idea why this semi final is being played at Bramall Lane? 

Not that I can think of. The other final is at Stadium MK. Remember reading somewhere that did ask why the semis aren't at Wembley.

Have also seen this tweet from a women's football reporter who has said that many like her can't get accreditation as Bramall Lane is too small, or at least small compared to the press area for other larger venues which would typically host a game as big as a semi final

 

[chinapig]

12 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

Not that I can think of. The other final is at Stadium MK. Remember reading somewhere that did ask why the semis aren't at Wembley.

Have also seen this tweet from a women's football reporter who has said that many like her can't get accreditation as Bramall Lane is too small, or at least small compared to the press area for other larger venues which would typically host a game as big as a semi final

 

Scandalous. Priority should go to journalists (mostly women) who have been covering the women's game for years but no doubt some bandwagon jumpers are getting accreditation ahead of them.

[phantom]

45 minutes ago, chinapig said:

Scandalous. Priority should go to journalists (mostly women) who have been covering the women's game for years but no doubt some bandwagon jumpers are getting accreditation ahead of them.

Difficult assumption to call without knowing the full facts 

I'd query why she hadn't sorted it out before today if she was that bothered? 

Perhaps she could look into why so many "sold out" England games had so many vacant seats? 

[SinéadB]

17 minutes ago, phantom said:

Difficult assumption to call without knowing the full facts 

I'd query why she hadn't sorted it out before today if she was that bothered? 

Perhaps she could look into why so many "sold out" England games had so many vacant seats? 

Uefa don't have a resale site and like many others I bought my tickets over a year ago. Luckily where I had spares I've managed to sell them on to friends mostly but this could definitely have been handled better. 

[phantom]

38 minutes ago, SinéadB said:

Uefa don't have a resale site and like many others I bought my tickets over a year ago. Luckily where I had spares I've managed to sell them on to friends mostly but this could definitely have been handled better. 

Ditto 

Got my seats for Wembley ages ago 

[Super]

Seems crazy that this isn't being played at one of the big PL Stadiums.

[phantom]

Unchanged starting 11 again 

[shahanshahan]

Here at Bramall Lane! Sat in the Bramall Lane Stand (usually the away end). Our flag is hung up & will hopefully be seen on TV this time!

[Super]

Almost a goal down after 20 secs. Good save.

[phantom]

Hello @shahanshahan

[SecretSam]

Odd that it's white vs yellow. Normally you would expect one to change.

[SecretSam]

First impressions from someone who rarely watches women's footie: much more physical than I expected 

[Super]

We look wide open at the back