Tonight's Football

[boltonboris]

I actually missed it as at the pub this evening but I gather it was a bit of a drubbing. Another 3 for Mead. Tougher matches to come. Son wanted to go to this one as in Brighton but we couldn’t get tickets.

I read this a lot - There were probably 8-10k empty seats

Same at a lot of the games. Officially sold out, but scores of seats available. What;s that about?

[Gooner Girl]

I actually missed it as at the pub this evening but I gather it was a bit of a drubbing. Another 3 for Mead. Tougher matches to come. Son wanted to go to this one as in Brighton but we couldn’t get tickets.

I read this a lot - There were probably 8-10k empty seats

Same at a lot of the games. Officially sold out, but scores of seats available. What;s that about?

I don’t know but my 11 year old son was confused “you said it had sold out but there’s empty seats” think he thought I was lying and hadn’t tried to get them!

[TANGODANCER]

The Vikings beat Finland 1-0. Shame, as the Fins might be heading home, but the Danes were the better side and always looked more likely to score. Germany and Spain tonight and that could go either way.

[TANGODANCER]

Spain 0 Germany 2. Spain didn't play badly; just couldn't get past the German defence.Two up at half time the Rinesteiners just parked the bus and apart from a brief sally or two didn't go visiting. I can't be said to be biased where disliking Germany are concerned, that isn't charitable,but...ah, okay then, I am I suppose. It's a lifetime thing : wars, World Cups, sunbed hogging etc,etc.

[TANGODANCER]

Sweden beat the Swiss and, in the other game,a really good one, Portugal lost 3-2 to The current Euro champs, Nederlands. The level of football would bear some watching (and lessons) from teams like these. Port star Diana Silva is a real talent but it was the sheer good attacking football of the Windmill girls that impressed.I can guarantee we ( the Lionesses) won't be putting eight past them or the Germans. Their game plans are no accident. Good football is good football and this was.

[TANGODANCER]

France ( who played skilful attacking football) beat Belgium 2-1, (who were pretty nieve in their efforts to attack at all despite scoring first.) France and Portugal two to worry about in addition to Spain, Holland and Germany. I think there may be a few shocks to come.

[TANGODANCER]

Northern Ireland 0, England 5. Won comfortably despite several missed chances. Credit to N.I for playing well in defence without the play-acting, fouling or cheating of some of the teams. They'll come back stronger in other competitions.

Bit surprised we replaced right back Lucy Bronze with the Carter girl who's normally a left back. Sub changes worked well, although I would have bought Beth Mead off. We were five goals up and she's so important in our attack and better to be saved for the next rounds. .England very strong in all areas and tough on them them that team manager Sarina Whatsit went down a Covid victim pre match. Hope she gets well soon. Well done the Lionesses. 14 goals in three games is mighty impressive.

[TANGODANCER]

Why do the female presenters all sound like Daleks? Those are microphones girls, not loud hailers.

So we get Spain next round; care needed. We're good, but so are they.

[TANGODANCER]

Chance to see France v Iceland women, B.B.C 2 , and Italy v Belgium women B.B.C 4. Unfortunately both on at the same time..8-0'clock. France for me as they seem the most dangerous. We play Spain tomorrow on B.B.C 1 at 8-0'clock. Cut throat time now.

Correction with apology; it's Wednesday England play Spain, not today as I wrongly posted.

[Bruce Rioja]

Cut throat time now.

Isn't it just?!

[Gooner Girl]

Well done England, good game and through to the semis.

[TANGODANCER]

Well done England, good game and through to the semis.

Wow, what a finish. Spain will feel (justifiably) they lost it rather than us win, because England got a football lesson and only our defence kept us in the game. The Spanish girls could play possession football in a telephone kiosk and the two wingers tore us to ribbons. Seven minutes to go and one goal down, equalised and got the winner in extra time by sheer persistence and good management. Full credit for that as I honestly thought our girls had lost it. They still tend to play laying off football while oppositions play wolf-pack, but Sarina Weightman(sp?) seems to know what's needed and England are the ones going through to the semis., so well done.

[Burnden Paddock]

Great goal to win it after some bold substitutions. Definitely second best performance wise but who cares?

[TANGODANCER]

Great goal to win it after some bold substitutions. Definitely second best performance wise but who cares?

Who indeed. Nothing counts at game end but the result. Georgia Stanway's goal was something any league player would have been proud of.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62247065

Still a couple of mountains to climb, but Spain were my "fear" team. The Lionesses can do it. They've got tougher under Weisman . I've been advocation using Greenwood on the left and Jill Scott as the box-to-box midfield player; both got on last night. Question is now, who to leave out? Difficult when they're all trying so hard. We have two stopper left backs in Carter and Stokes, neither of who played, but Green wood is quicker and our left side got roasted better the a Christmas turkey last night. The whole thing was a team effort in the end and a managerial triumph. Not so for the Spanish guy who will still be pondereing how they managed to play so well and lose. Luck of the draw amigo.

[Bruce Rioja]

Now I'm conflicted.

Since 1984 I've sworn that in my life I never expect to see a worse penalty kick than Pat Nevin's vs Man City (Arsenal debacle not withstanding, but they didn't even get a shot away).



But now Connor Gallagher's thrown his cap firmly into the ring with this (Sorry for the 'soccerguy' commentary, it's all I could find in ahem, English)

[Worthy4England]

Well that, and there's clearly too many letters in Panenka for them to grasp. I've never got my head round the risk / reward equation of the Pananka vs bury it in the corner...It feels more like "who we going to make look the biggest arse" and the odds seem fairly high that the answer is going to be the penalty taker.

[Bruce Rioja]

Well that, and there's clearly too many letters in Panenka for them to grasp. I've never got my head round the risk / reward equation of the Pananka vs bury it in the corner...It feels more like "who we going to make look the biggest arse" and the odds seem fairly high that the answer is going to be the penalty taker.

If I was teaching kids to take penalties, the Alan Shearer videos would be out. Not those of some smart-arsed prick attempting to make the keeper look foolish.

[TANGODANCER]

Austria play Germany tonight to see who gets the next semi final spot. How nice it would be if the Hills were alive with the sound of music...Can't see it mind, but stranger things have happened...

[TANGODANCER]

So, the Germans join us in the semis (not playing us though) They looked deadly dangerous tonight although there were chances at both ends. Austria hit the bar and a post .

[TANGODANCER]

the Lionesses will find out tonight who they play in the semi final: Sweden Women or Belgium Women.. Preferable I think to France or Holland, but you never know. Won't be a cake walk either way.

Edit:

So it's England, and Sweden (who scored the only goal in added time ) next Tuesday 26th. . Got to find a way to stop Asslani who never stopped attacking all game. Tough on Belgium, but Sweden were by far the bettor team. Beat them (the girls will have to be at their best) and it's England and Germany in the final if they beat the winner of France/Holland of course.. Come on girls, you can do it...