yeah, watching this England team feels a lot like watching us in the second half of last season. not the greatest, often scrappy but a group of players who really don't seem to know how to lose
Loved to have seen that Agyemang effort go in that was class. Kelly always looks to make something happen when she’s on the pitch. Very resilient team. Great result.
Weren't at our best but Italy trying the snatch and grab, time wasting etc win definitely didn't deserve it, we made all the running.
The two scorers should start the final.
Not convinced on Michelle, let Alessia hassle the defence for 70m.
I just think Russo looks really out of form, snatching at chances etc, Agyemang has looked much more dangerous, 2 in 2 and really unlucky with the one that hit the bar.
Gotta say i've thoroughly enjoyed watching the last 2 women's england games - haven't watched any til then but there's something a bit less predictable and dare i say it, old school, about the way they play - they just keep going and hassle there way to wins - takes some doing to keep pulling out the bag the way they have been - loved it when hampton went right up into the italian's box.
Honestly thought we could be playing til next week and not score but fair play Michelle, delighted with that goal. That Italian manager, eejit, tried to make it all about him at the end. Glad someone had a word with him. Those girls deserve better, they played their hearts out. Can’t see us beaten either Germany or Spain but we’re in the final. Well done the Lionesses 🏴
First of all, Italy deserve some credit for tactically outmanoeuvring us. We probably have better players, but they nearly managed to see us off. And for that reason I have some sympathy. Having said that, my sympathy is tempered by their blatant time wasting and playacting. I know it’s part of the modern game, and I know we wouldn’t complain if we were doing it and fans love it when their team winds the opposition up like this, but for me, I’m never happier than seeing an opponent come unstuck after resorting to those sorts of tactics. Suddenly the keeper doesn’t keep hanging on to the ball and their players don’t keep going down ‘injured’.
Only in Croatia - the nation has a wonderfully calm and relaxed culture for the most part but when their/our laid back approach sees me only 25 minutes into the first half of the semi as I type I kinda feel a bit of gas is required now and again. At least I know good things are to come… 🏴
This England women team reminds me of those Italian or German men's team that you think are rubbish...but end up progressing into and through the knockout stages.
This England women team reminds me of those Italian or German men's team that you think are rubbish...but end up progressing into and through the knockout stages.
Winning is a very good skill to have.
That vile team that just got promoted from L1 too 😉
The women’s game doesn’t seem to have improved at the top level.
The lesser teams from 4 years ago do seem to have improved though Either way we support the lady lions. It is a poor tournament. still makes me laugh when the US legend Rapenhoe or whatever her name was asked for equal pay!! The women’s game would cease to exist if that was the case!
Weren't at our best but Italy trying the snatch and grab, time wasting etc win definitely didn't deserve it, we made all the running.
The two scorers should start the final.
Not convinced on Michelle, let Alessia hassle the defence for 70m.
I can see the argument for and against changing things.
What we have done so far, putting Agyemang and Kelly on with 20 minutes to go against tiring defenders is working well so you could argue why change it? But on the other side of that is the ones that are starting are not really playing that well and if we have Spain in the final and we don't perform to our best we could be 2 or 3 down with 20 minutes to go.
Personally though i think it's going to be harsh for Wiegman to drop anyone for the final after they've started every game on the way to it.
What we have to remember about Italy is they are realistically in the second teir of women's international teams. They are making strong progress towards the top teir but England have better players and of course they had to try and find a way of winning after they scored and to be fair they nearly did.
I thought Wiegman got a lot wrong yesterday. Firstly Mead hasn't had many good games since her injury. Don't allow loyalty to cloud your judgement. Agyemang saved us but why was she given so little time to do so? I thought Russo had a decent enough game but was too isolated and it was a no brainer to bring Agyemang on early in the second half to help her. Had she done this against an Italy side set on defending their lead, it would have been more comfortable I suspect.
As for the pen, I think it is one of those where if the ref doesn't give it, it doesn't get overturned and visa versa. It was a bit silly from the Italian defender IMO and would have been a foul anywhere else on the pitch but a lot of refs have a higher bar for pens, rightly or wrongly. I thought the ref had a great game though.
Comments
The two scorers should start the final.
That Italian manager, eejit, tried to make it all about him at the end. Glad someone had a word with him. Those girls deserve better, they played their hearts out.
Can’t see us beaten either Germany or Spain but we’re in the final.
Well done the Lionesses 🏴
We probably have better players, but they nearly managed to see us off. And for that reason I have some sympathy.
Having said that, my sympathy is tempered by their blatant time wasting and playacting. I know it’s part of the modern game, and I know we wouldn’t complain if we were doing it and fans love it when their team winds the opposition up like this, but for me, I’m never happier than seeing an opponent come unstuck after resorting to those sorts of tactics. Suddenly the keeper doesn’t keep hanging on to the ball and their players don’t keep going down ‘injured’.
So, unlucky Italy and well played.
Winning is a very good skill to have.
It is a poor tournament.
still makes me laugh when the US legend Rapenhoe or whatever her name was asked for equal pay!!
The women’s game would cease to exist if that was the case!
World Cup 2023 final: England v Spain
Euro 2025 final: England v Germany or Spain
What we have done so far, putting Agyemang and Kelly on with 20 minutes to go against tiring defenders is working well so you could argue why change it? But on the other side of that is the ones that are starting are not really playing that well and if we have Spain in the final and we don't perform to our best we could be 2 or 3 down with 20 minutes to go.
Personally though i think it's going to be harsh for Wiegman to drop anyone for the final after they've started every game on the way to it.
I thought Wiegman got a lot wrong yesterday. Firstly Mead hasn't had many good games since her injury. Don't allow loyalty to cloud your judgement. Agyemang saved us but why was she given so little time to do so? I thought Russo had a decent enough game but was too isolated and it was a no brainer to bring Agyemang on early in the second half to help her. Had she done this against an Italy side set on defending their lead, it would have been more comfortable I suspect.
As for the pen, I think it is one of those where if the ref doesn't give it, it doesn't get overturned and visa versa. It was a bit silly from the Italian defender IMO and would have been a foul anywhere else on the pitch but a lot of refs have a higher bar for pens, rightly or wrongly. I thought the ref had a great game though.