Women's World Cup Football

[Stavros]

So far there have been some entertaining games, and Japan look the best team so far. I think England have a good chance -a lot depends on how Spain and France do in the knockouts, but maybe nobody is surprised Morocco have done so well given their men did well in the men's tournament.

Sweden knocked out the US on penalties -in fact it was Sweden's goalie who denied the US with some great saves but the US didn't power their way through the Sweden defence as they have done with other teams in the past, and in the end, winning is all about scoring goals.

[Stavros]

Having scraped through their game with Nigeria, England now face Colombia in the Quarter Final.

Dare one pose the cheeky question: who Peejaye is going to support?

[Stavros]

A robust and worthy win over Colombia. With some lovely thighs needing massage after the game. There, I said it.

[rodinuk]

Whoo-hoo! Congratulations Lionesses!

England 3 Australia 1

First time since 1966 that England reach a World Cup Final

[Stavros]

Whoo-hoo! Congratulations Lionesses!

England 3 Australia 1

First time since 1966 that England reach a World Cup Final

Exciting times, and after gifting Sam Kerr the space in which to shoot, they took control of the game, and have grown in quality over the last few weeks. I think they will beat Spain if they can shut down their more incisive strikers- they are far superior to Australia, but have not been tested yet.

[Stavros]

Given that the Spanish and the English leagues are the best in the world, it was fitting that Spain and England contest the final. As it happened, Spain controlled the game, their midfield was better than England's, with the defence denying England the space needed to take shots at goal, though one wonders what might have been had Lauren Hemp's first half shot not hit the bar but gone in. Lucy Bronze was at fault for the first goal, but that aside, England did not create chances, and the manager has been criticized for her half time team changes. That should take nothing away from Spain, who apart from a loss to Japan in the Group stage were clearly one of the best teams in the competition.

Better luck next time?

[Stavros]

One feels sorry for Spain's women who, having won the most prestigious award in Women's Football, have to endure the outrageous insults of a man who thinks Defiance is better than humility, presumably because he thinks he is way more important than the women anyway. Why would a straight man kiss a gay woman on the lips? Conversion therapy? Or just entitlement? It shows that even in Spain, with one of the world's strongest women's leagues, there is a lo
ng way to go.

Read full Jennifer Hermoso statement on Luis Rubiales & RFEF - Futbol on FanNation (si.com)

Jennifer Hermoso: A Brief Overview Of Her Illustrious Career (historyofsoccer.info)

Luis Rubiales’ actions are not abnormal, they are symptomatic of the system | Spain women's football team | The Guardian

[Stavros]

When it mattered, the off-pitch problems Spain had with its own female players was set aside as the players succeeded in winning the World Cup. Now Spanish Women's football has revived whatever the problems were before, and it has become a sad and pathetic commentary on the way in which women are treated differently, even when they win. I can't recall another national team being held in such contempt before, and I can't imagine many that would be treated so badly by their own federation. I just hope it leads to some positive change.

The coaches of the Women's Team have resigned en masse.
Coaches from Spain women's team quit over Rubiales kiss - BBC News

[Stavros]