Women’s Euros 2022

[tiger76]

So getting towards the business end of the tournament now, and the quarter-finals have thrown up some tasty ties.

England-Spain
Germany-Austria
Sweden-Belgium
France-Netherlands

If it goes as expected, England, Germany and Sweden should progress, the difficult match to call is the France-Netherlands game, and it wouldn't surprise me if that went all the way to ET and maybe even pens.

[CoolClaret]

I will agree on your “ balance “ arguments though and their keeper issues . Football is just one of those sports that the women can never approach the men in elite end product physically . Personally can’t stand it , but the top teams fitness is not the issue it’s the physical /balance / body make up that just doesn’t “ quite fit” the way say Tennis , athletics , cycling , swimming does .

This is the point I was making - can have cardio all day yeah I mean the power and strength that translates to a real high end spectacle and the ability to physically dominate (which can allow lesser skilled players to get results against better players).

I think as womens football grows you’ll see more high end athletes making their way into that game and the games will be played at a higher intensity.

I will say that the standard & product has gotten much better and some of my comments were admittedly a bit out there but they also had the desired outcome (to stimulate a response).

Last comment on this thread because it has been done to death - all the best to the women

[Fretters]

Close to extra time in the quarters against Spain after a late equaliser for England. Easily their toughest game yet.

[TheFamilyCat]

Over 7.5m watched on TV last night, for anyone still questioning why it is being televised.

[BabylonClaret]

Watched 2nd half and ET from our room in Vienna (the PJ gig having been cancelled at 7pm - couple of beers with sone fans then back for the 2nd half)

Though England put in a gritty performance and whilst Spain must have been gutted to concede so late I didn't think they offered enough at all - we were surprisingly lacking in quality in the final 3rd chasing the game but deserved the win I thought. Decent game.

[tiger76]

Germany eased through tonight against a dogged Austria 2-0, so it's shaping up to be a last 4 of many of the favourites, although of course one of the big hitters will go out when France and Netherlands meet.

[aggi]

That wasn't a classic, although I think Sweden do have the ability to play better than that. Can't see England giving them the same chances.

[ALP]

That wasn't a classic, although I think Sweden do have the ability to play better than that. Can't see England giving them the same chances.

The Belgium defence was pretty Burnley like, and then their keeper pulled out some superb saves. Sweden made hard work of it, but were the better side.

Tomorrow should be a good match, and I look forward to the semi finals and final.

[LeadBelly]

I watched about 10 minutes of the first half and most of the last half hour of the match. It maybe that wasn't representative of the full 90 but Sweden were way on top when I watched. Belgium defended resolutely and Sweden lacked a bot of nous around the penalty area but it always looked like they'd win in 90 or 120.

It'll be a different game for them against England at Bramall Lane on Tuesday as we wont be there just to defend and will carry a much bigger threat than Belgium did. It'll be tense, semis nearly always are.

[ALP]

I watched about 10 minutes of the first half and most of the last half hour of the match. It maybe that wasn't representative of the full 90 but Sweden were way on top when I watched. Belgium defended resolutely and Sweden lacked a bot of nous around the penalty area but it always looked like they'd win in 90 or 120.

It'll be a different game for them against England at Bramall Lane on Tuesday as we wont be there just to defend and will carry a much bigger threat than Belgium did. It'll be tense, semis nearly always are.

It has the makings of a good match, I don't think Sweden have really got going and England are really up for this competition, as you say it'll be a tense affair.

[aggi]

So, Germany in the final. Going to be a really tough one.

[Aclaret]

Germany on penalties ?