Holmes_and_Watson

Looking forward to the semis. France were by far the dominant team last night. But, not for the first time, simply couldn't convert. They had 33 attempts to 9 in reply. Unlike some previous games, they did really test the opposing keeper and defence on numerous occassions, with more than one clearance off the line. Renard went into extra time with a bemused expression after yet another of her towering headers was just cleared. As I've mentioned for a lot of games, both teams had chances. Netherlands had a dominant 10 minutes in the second half where they could have got the lead. The French made changes and all of them added to the French attack. Bacha, in particular, was a live wire popping up everywhere, and opening up space for Cascarino. They may not have been as ruthless as England and Germany, but France have lots of creative outlets, strength in depth, and one of the best centre half's around in Renard. Edit: Meant to mention that Van Der Gragt had an excellent game for the Dutch at the back. Without a club this past month... 🙂

"Wilkinson won both the Championship Player of the Season and Golden Boot for two consecutive seasons" stood out. Impressive.

Car

I was catching up on some work, so I didn't get to pay too much attention to the Sweden Vs Belgium second half. There had been a goal ruled offside in the first by mm for Sweden. Belgium didn't create much of anything and Sweden were nearly at the mid 30s for attempts. A lot of those were from outside the box. Sweden dominated the midfield, and eventually Belgium just fell back. While Belgium defended constantly, it looked very likely to be extra time, as Sweden just weren't taking advantage of their chances. Belgium looked limited here, and that impacted the quality of this one as a contest. Sweden will be concerned about finishing, and where they are taking those shots from, as they're not likely to get so many chances against a strong England team.

Boots

Now, where's that thread of what you would do if you'd won the euro millions.... Hello Southampton FC, I'd like to help with a signing... 🙂

I clicked it so that I could not be remotely surprised about who would be the main participant of it. 🙂

Politician

At least having an Austrian manager, who mucks about with the balance on full backs is something we don't have to worry ab...oh.... 🙂

Austria hunted across the midfield in packs at the start of the second half. Interesting to see Germany on the receiving end of it. They didn't like it. Austria nearly had a one on one, they hit the crossbar and then the post. The end of their attacking spell came when Germany took a booking to stop the Austrian speed merchant, Hickelsberger-Fuller, on a good run. Germany started to get back in control. Popp and later Dallmann had nearly moments. As the half went on, and possibly as a result of the energy they'd spent, Austria's passing and decision making started to go downhill. Giving it away cheaply in the final third became hospital passes in the midfield before trying to play out from the back. Buhl hit the bar, and showed an anguished look at the miss. It might have been on her mind not long after that, when she missed a sitter. In the end Austria were punished playing it out from the back. They'd had plenty of warnings. Their keeper hit in onto the rushing in Popp and it went in. England will have learned a bit about Germany tonight. Austria had a good 10 minute spell on top and they are more limited in options than England.

Tax

I missed the first 15mins, when Austria were apparently giving Germany some problems. They had half a dozen attempts obyn goal by half time and I think I saw 1 of them. A physical encounter by two squads that know each other fairly well. But Germany's energy levels, tactics and teamwork are a bit above Austria's. They were putting more and more pressure on as the half went on. Blocking Austria's passing, closing them down and pushing in numbers where they found space. It was a poor goalkick and a defence caught out, that gave Germany the chance to nick the ball, go down the side of the box, cut it back for a shot and a one goal lead. Austria didn't offer much, even after that as Germany didn't drop off the pace of the game. But a good instinctive play nearly worked. A good first time pass opened up a little space on the right flank. A first time pass into the middle was nearly picked up an Austrian player who was a real speed merchant, outrunning the defender from deep, only for the German keeper to get there first.

Value

And kids options on the menus. 🙂

Calculated

Thanks to listening to the Beeb yesterday, I will invest in a space rocket to cooler Mars as the Earth combusts around me. 🙂

What a finish. Daly was having some torrid moments at left back. Fine margins,. So when she missed an interception, it was a pass across and with the markers not in place a straight forward finish. Even Bright getting back on the line couldn't keep it out. The England manager doesn't muck about, when it comes to subs. White, Mead and Daly all off. But even then it looked like Spain were going to see it out. Shifting Bright up front put more pressure on Spain. Despite Spain's moaning, it was a good header down by Russo, to allow Toone to level. England pushed back Spain in extra time. They were always the stronger of the two teams. Kelly made a real difference. But it was Hemp who had stayed on who diverted the Spanish defence, to allow Stanway to blast in the winner. She capitalised on Hemp's run, just moving the centre half a foot or two out of position to open up the angle. Smart play. Having made some changes that seemed to suit England, Spain brought on a striker. But despite some nervous moments, particularly from one corner that the keeper couldn't clear, Spain weren't creating too many out and out chances. England had to work really hard for this win, and there will be lots to learn from the match. But there some excellent performances.

Cracking game. Tense stuff. Both started slowly, which suited Spain's possession based game. They stifled Williamson in the midfield. When England got past the press, Spain countered using the gaps behind the full backs. Plenty of crosses coming in, and Spain looked by far the most likely to score the opener. But, in being pushed back England finally played from deep, with Bright delivering a couple of great passes. That pushed Spain back, and suddenly Williamson was free. She could then pass out wide and England were on the front foot. White had one disallowed. Could easily go either way. Let's hope England can take their momentum into the second half.

'course they will. The sooner they play, the sooner we can cash in. Madness to wait until they're ready. #praisethepathway 🙂

Ditch this place as I could afford to subscribe to a better class of forum. 🙂

We're all finishing off our face paining. No time for posting. 🙂 C'mon England!

I'm glad you were im-pretzel-ed. 🙂 While pleaded to get to watch the preseason games, I'm trying not to read too much into what I see. There's plenty of sharpness to get back (or find considering the end of last season), and further personnel changes will alter the squad dynamics. As someone posted, great pre seasons can be followed by dismal seasons and vice versa.

Nice of you to say. While I might think of myself as a comedy ein-stein, others think my alpine puns are the wurst. Are they home yet? 🙂

If we get a kit that good, it will be a real feather in our cap. 🙂

Saints extend tour, but fear scoring will remain an issue against resolute defences.