England women v italy

[LincsRover]

Just wow! Never say never! 

[goalkick]

Well done thank god not pen shoot out.

[Thorney]

Think Russo works if there are others around her who can hit a cow’s arse with a banjo. Quality of shooting from rest of side has been terrible so Russo looks a bit toothless if she is doing the running for them all and gets rewarded with some horrific quality from her team mates.

Id swap out james for chloe kelly. Watch how much that improves russo having kellys energy in a 10 role.

Russo will be clinical, far from a flat track bully

[Donnywolf]

Great to see time wasting by Italy actually worked against them although 7 minutes seemed way too short.

Looking forward to seeing how Division One players strive to keep the ball "dead" every time the result suits them

[Chris Black come back]

Thought the ref was very fair to England all game.

[GazLaz]

Thought the ref was very fair to England all game.

Probably was a penalty but it was a big call at that time of the game.

[Filo]

Thought the ref was very fair to England all game.

Probably was a penalty but it was a big call at that time of the game.

A penalty is a penalty wether in the first second or the last second of the game

[GazLaz]

Thought the ref was very fair to England all game.

Probably was a penalty but it was a big call at that time of the game.

A penalty is a penalty wether in the first second or the last second of the game

Of course it is, similar situations occur throughout the game (in most games) and don’t get given though. It was an easy one not to give in a high stakes moment. Decisions are often not binary in football.

[IDM]

It was right in front of the ref and she had no choice really.. if the players had been side to side it’s more difficult to judge, but Mead was bundled over from behind.

As for James, she clearly wasn’t 100% last night, but has the talent to be a game changer.  I suspect she will start again on Sunday, unless the injury is too troublesome.

Kelly is some player to bring on though..

So to tonight’s other semi.  World champions Spain must be favourites, and have the best players.  But the Germans are tough to beat and overcame France against expectations.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they pull off a shock tonight.

[Ian Nimmo]

Lauren james for me is an enigma.

She has talent, but just looks lethargic and lazy. (Not saying she is because she does her work tracking back)

She just looks tired tonight, can see another chloe kelly supersub.

She should not have started the game, clearly not fit and therefore should not start the final.

[The Dav]

Sarina Wiegman, needs to understand her best 11 and pick on performances and merit ! she's been very lucky to keep her side in this competition, Agyemang, Kelly & Mead have saved her bacon, lets hope she learns her lesson and now goes on to win it for the nation.   

[selby]

  All my life the Italians have defended the box with six players minimum when not in possession looking to hit on the counter.
  Flinging the ball into the box at an angle with defenders facing the ball from 25 to 40 yds from the goal line is meat and drink to them.
  Getting it wide and pulling it back from the goal line making defenders face their own goal has proven over years, Celtic the first to tumble to it, that they can be got at.
  Only Russo and Bronze tried to do it and on a couple of occasions  caused problems for the Italian defenders.
  Poor management, looked happy to keep banging their heads against the wall.

[selby]

  I thought Esme Morgan was outstanding in central defence and never got a mention.

[IDM]

That’s because the ITV commentator was spunking his keks whenever the Italians were pressing - the defence hardly got a mention when they kept them out.

[VivaRovers]

Sarina Wiegman, needs to understand her best 11 and pick on performances and merit ! she's been very lucky to keep her side in this competition, Agyemang, Kelly & Mead have saved her bacon, lets hope she learns her lesson and now goes on to win it for the nation.   

Or alternatively... keep using those players as highly effective impact subs, which is how England have reached the final.

[RoversInSpain]

So good to see consistency in the referees decisions. The ref was blowing up for free kicks all night for challenges like the one in the box, so a 100% correct decision. Shouldn’t matter if it’s in the penalty area, a foul is a foul. Time all refs did the same, lost count of how many times I’ve heard ..”if that challenge was made in the centre circle it’s a free kick”

[drfchound]

  I thought Esme Morgan was outstanding in central defence and never got a mention.

After the France game I wrote on here that Morgan should start ahead of Carter.
Morgan justified her place and throughout the match against Italy she was immense.

[MachoMadness]

Spain in the final after some Gary Woods esque goalkeeping from the German keeper. Granted it took a great finish to capitalise on it from a tight angle.

[drfchound]

At first I thought it was a mis directed cross for the goal but the replay showed that the scorer looked up and saw that the keeper was out of position and was good enough to put the ball into the net through the narrowest of gaps.

[MachoMadness]

Yep, quick thinking and great technique to find the gap. While running at pace after nearly 2 hours of football as well. Against most other teams the keeper gets away with that.

[Ryaldinhio]

Couldn't compete in NLN or NLS

Not interested, not sure why others are.

I believe in equality 100%.

[drfchound]

Couldn't compete in NLN or NLS

Not interested, not sure why others are.

I believe in equality 100%.

I agree that they would probably struggle in NLN and NLS but then they would be competing against men.
You have to take women’s football for what it is, women against women.
Once you see that then it is quite entertaining and the standard is ever improving.

[i_ateallthepies]

I noticed that despite their technical superiority Spain weren't averse to employing the tactical foul to prevent Germany playing.  Haven't seen it as obvious as that in any other women's game I've watched.

[steve@dcfd]

Couldn't compete in NLN or NLS

Not interested, not sure why others are.

I believe in equality 100%.

Why do we compare men against women in football
What about Cricket Rugby both codes Tennis Athletics etc.
it’s women against women or girls against girls take that for what it is thousands of girls and women and men watch the games. Their choice
Stop comparing its like comparing Rovers with Liverpool we don’t so leave it alone. If don’t want to watch it that’s down to you others do.

[IDM]

Couldn't compete in NLN or NLS

Not interested, not sure why others are.

I believe in equality 100%.

Bellend.!!

This sort of post makes my piss boil.!

As others have said, there is no point in comparing  the relative abilities of men’s and women’s football.  These are the best women players in Europe (and the world) competing against each other.  England’s recovery and penalty win  vs Sweden and the late late equaliser and winner against a good Italy side, were fantastic sporting spectacles in their own right.

What if it was your daughter, or granddaughter who had a chance to be in that situation?

Crawl back into your cave.

[drfchound]

I noticed that despite their technical superiority Spain weren't averse to employing the tactical foul to prevent Germany playing.  Haven't seen it as obvious as that in any other women's game I've watched.

I have noted it creeping into the women’s game.  Along with arguing with kicking the ball away and arguing with officials.

[RobTheRover]

I noticed that despite their technical superiority Spain weren't averse to employing the tactical foul to prevent Germany playing.  Haven't seen it as obvious as that in any other women's game I've watched.

I have noted it creeping into the women’s game.  Along with arguing with kicking the ball away and arguing with officials.

At the elite level it certainly is. Is it a coincidence that there is more focus on "win at all costs" and less sporting purety as the money has increased?

[Ryaldinhio]

Couldn't compete in NLN or NLS

Not interested, not sure why others are.

I believe in equality 100%.

Bellend.!!

This sort of post makes my piss boil.!

As others have said, there is no point in comparing  the relative abilities of men’s and women’s football.  These are the best women players in Europe (and the world) competing against each other.  England’s recovery and penalty win  vs Sweden and the late late equaliser and winner against a good Italy side, were fantastic sporting spectacles in their own right.

What if it was your daughter, or granddaughter who had a chance to be in that situation?

Crawl back into your cave.

What an eloquent and thoughtful response. Talk about crawling back in a cave take a look at yourself you dim wit.

I don't think the football is of a good standard. I don't think that it's a spectacle. I choose not to watch it and I don't understand why others watch it.....but I haven't come on here trying to impose my views on others or say they shouldn't be watching it.

It's an opinion, is that what this forum is here for, to discuss opinion?

Doesn't mean I'm right.

Doesn't mean I'm wrong.

I would support my daughter in anything she wanted to do, but that doesn't mean I should follow a sport incase she decides to pursue that?

If a few words with no malice boil your piss then maybe you need to take a careful look at yourself IDM.

[IDM]

No,

It’s the unnecessary comparison to the mens game  which is annoying, along with the lack of understanding why a lot of folks actually like women’s football. And then you say you believe in equality.

As for the old chestnut of its a forum so I’ll have my opinion, that also means folks can debate that opinion.

Apart from in my frustration calling you a bellend, my opinions are just as valid as yours.

By the way, I call myself that too when I do something stupid like look for my glasses when they are on my head.

How can you deduce that these games are not sporting spectacles if you don’t watch them.?

[selby]

If junior age group academy sides beat easily international sides then the level is about six or seven or even 8 in mens terms.
  That doesn't mean to say that the games cannot be interesting to those who watch them, but puts into context for instance both Thorne Colliery and Rossington beating our u18s, they would compete with the international womens teams and probably comfortably beat them.
  The NLN would completely bury them  technically, pace and physically. it would be no contest.
  Having said that I enjoy watching the women's games. even the Belles training sessions when at the academy, I admire them and the progress their game has made and the interest and advances of the girls now having a chance to play the game unlike when I was young.
  I am sure the girls of my generation woukld have wanted the chance to play organised football in the Doncaster Area earlier than when it became possible.