Author Topic: Women's Football World Cup 2015 (Read 3138 times)

LEE · « **on:** 11 June, 2015, 11:09:13 am »

Just thought I'd say that it's brilliant.

It's "flaws" actually contribute to the enjoyment of the game:

- Smaller Goalkeepers make for many spectacular goals that would not otherwise go in.
- Slower players make for more space and more time on the ball.

That's not to say there's no skill, quite the opposite, there are some great skills on display.

To me it's akin to Wimbledon where the sheer power and pace of the men's (grass) game now mean it's almost always a 1 shot "Rally". Serve..BANG...15 Love. Serve...BANG...30 love.

The Women's Wimbledon tennis is now reminiscent of where the men's game was in the "golden era" when Borg played McEnroe. Longer, more calculated rallies (but with rather annoying Porno film gasping and screaming).

An increase in speed and power does not always improve the game.

TimC · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 June, 2015, 11:18:51 am »

I watched USA v Oz in an Irish bar in Atlanta the other night. It was the centrepiece among the various sports shows being shown around the place, and had a large and appreciative audience - more so than I've seen for almost any soccer on US TV. I'm no soccer fan of any description, so I wasn't absorbed in the game, but it did appear to be rather good (particularly from a USAnian PoV).

Andrew · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 June, 2015, 11:41:25 am »

I've watched the French team a few times now (they're on tele here whenever the play, whoever they play) and have been really impressed. I've seen some really good, skillful, keenly contested games. I'm not going to compare to the men's game because I watch it as a different game.

I watched France against England and, to be frank, was surprised by the difference in class. England played to their strengths, I'm guessing, but looked decidedly 2nd. It genuinely surprised me.

LEE · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 June, 2015, 03:15:21 pm »

Quote from: TimC on 11 June, 2015, 11:18:51 am

I watched USA v Oz in an Irish bar in Atlanta the other night. It was the centrepiece among the various sports shows being shown around the place, and had a large and appreciative audience - more so than I've seen for almost any soccer on US TV. I'm no soccer fan of any description, so I wasn't absorbed in the game, but it did appear to be rather good (particularly from a USAnian PoV).

Women's Soccer was huge in the US when I lived and worked there. To a large extent Soccer struggles financially there because it's seen as a White, women's, middle-class, sport.

My local park had about 10 full size pitches, with nets on the goals!!! (That's right.. no vandalism!) but you couldn't have a kick around at the weekend, they were all full with women's/girl's teams.

I still don't know how England get decent international team together. I've yet to see ANY women playing football in England.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 June, 2015, 09:21:09 am »

England have beaten Norway and are into the quarter-finals. There is a very amusing set of comments on the Graun report based on "Iconic Norwegian heroes, your girls took one hell of a beating!"

Jaded · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 June, 2015, 11:31:13 am »

I think I was responsible for that.

For various reasons* I stopped watching 1 minute before each England goal.

* no, not tighter shorts.

Von Broad · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 June, 2015, 02:38:04 am »

Maybe it's time to take the Rita Hayworth poster down, I got myself a new pinup now: Lucy Bronze. Terrific goals. Top quality.
I am just enjoying this competition so much.

Ham · « **Reply #7 on:** 01 July, 2015, 05:48:23 pm »

England in the semi final and it doesn't even make the freakin' news. Not even the BBC Sport news. Small article on the BBC -> Sport -> Football page.

(and yes that is linked on the front page, but not as a major news item)

mattc · « **Reply #8 on:** 01 July, 2015, 06:15:13 pm »

its been all over the radio news - on at least 3xBeeb channels.
(they are very short bulletins => getting a large %age of the airtime.)

I desperately need to bank some sleep tonight, so wll have to settle for a quick prayer before beddy-byes.

Bledlow · « **Reply #9 on:** 01 July, 2015, 09:39:38 pm »

It was on the 6 o'clock news, & is on the BBC news channel right now.

Jaded · « **Reply #10 on:** 02 July, 2015, 02:20:11 am »

Well that was cruel.

Tewdric · « **Reply #11 on:** 02 July, 2015, 07:26:54 am »

Well, more inept really but unfortunate for sure.

Peter · « **Reply #12 on:** 02 July, 2015, 08:00:20 am »

It's a shame, however, I'm surprised at the result. I had to go to bed after the first half hour during which England only got out of their own half a couple of times. They must have fought back well.

Jaded · « **Reply #13 on:** 02 July, 2015, 08:04:08 am »

Whilst they didn't have possession they had the most shots. They had contained Japan well. Bassett had to intercept the ball and was at full stretch. If there was ineptness it was earlier when the Japanese clearance set up four against four.

LEE · « **Reply #14 on:** 02 July, 2015, 09:21:39 am »

Quote from: Tewdric on 02 July, 2015, 07:26:54 am

Well, more inept really but unfortunate for sure.

Not inept at all really, just unlucky. She had to try and block it.

The inept part was the truly awful ball retention skills shown for the whole tournament.

It was very much like watching Wimbledon in the '80s, punt it forward and hope.

It seems English Women lack the same skills as the English Men.

Bledlow · « **Reply #15 on:** 02 July, 2015, 02:52:47 pm »

The Japanese strategy looks to be to keep the ball & keep it forward, to deny the other side chances, wait for it to leave itself open, then pounce. Since they've won all their games in this tournament so far, it seems to be working. They've dominated possession in all their games, & you can't score without the ball.

mrcharly-YHT · « **Reply #16 on:** 02 July, 2015, 02:56:46 pm »

Quote from: Bledlow on 02 July, 2015, 02:52:47 pm

you can't score without the ball.

heretic.
anyone who reads about football in the papers knows that scoring has nothing to do with the ball, it is all about the transfer fee.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #17 on:** 02 July, 2015, 04:17:27 pm »

Chelsea might disagree too!

But well done England Women.

Pingu · « **Reply #18 on:** 02 July, 2015, 10:51:07 pm »

Quote from: mrcharly on 02 July, 2015, 02:56:46 pm

Quote from: Bledlow on 02 July, 2015, 02:52:47 pm
you can't score without the ball.
heretic.
anyone who reads about football in the papers knows that scoring has nothing to do with the ball, it is all about the transfer fee.

Nah, it's all about advertising and the broadcasting rights.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #19 on:** 04 July, 2015, 11:20:09 pm »

Oooooooh!

Jaded · « **Reply #20 on:** 04 July, 2015, 11:25:21 pm »

Come on Lionesses!

Jaded · « **Reply #21 on:** 04 July, 2015, 11:32:01 pm »

Andrew · « **Reply #22 on:** 05 July, 2015, 08:01:47 am »

I watched the last 20 minutes of the first half. It looked very even. England played a better game than they did against France but they are very physical, not sure I like that. Plus I saw a bit of cynical play and diving. One of the things I like about women's football is that it tends to lack the more negative aspects of the men's game. I hope it doesn't creep in.

Well done to England. That is a result, and a tournament, to be proud of.

toontra · « **Reply #23 on:** 05 July, 2015, 09:16:50 am »

Quote from: Andrew on 05 July, 2015, 08:01:47 am

One of the things I like about women's football is that it tends to lack the more negative aspects of the men's game. I hope it doesn't creep in.

Agreed. This was the first match I've watched in the tournament when there was widespread cynical fouling, diving and screaming at the referee, and I have to say it was the England women who started it almost from the first whistle. Seems like they'd decided in advance to win at any cost.

The Germans matched them in the second half - their manager obviously said in the interval that if the ref was allowing this to happen then they would have to join in or get beaten up.

Sad to see the worst aspects of the male game creeping into this - but maybe not surprising.

TimC · « **Reply #24 on:** 05 July, 2015, 10:05:31 am »

It's the culture of the game, sadly. There are no benefits to be had from playing 'politely'; there are significant benefits to be had from employing greater physicality and tactical diving and ref-bating. In a match where so much was at stake, and so much had been given to get there, it's hardly surprising that proven methods were used to attempt to achieve the result.

I'm glad they won, and well done to them for that, but I won't be in a rush to watch again. This match showed that women's football is rapidly becoming indistinguishable from the men's game. Inevitable, probably, and I'm perhaps a fool for hoping it would be otherwise.