Holmes_and_Watson

Underfoot

Phenomenal from England. They've worked incredibly hard all tournament, have never given up and have dug out the results. Such a great squad, where every player plays their part, and is ready, regardless of the minutes they get.

A little surprised Russo went off so early. Agyemang goes near post a lot, while Russo was offering a central target. Not to mention her single woman press, that brought the others up, and changed the game. England showed they could win this, despite Spain's possession and passing. When England had the space after they'd pushed Spain back, they put together some good moves of their own.

If they do, it will be naturally late on. Firstly as energy levels drop. But mainly to counter England's attacking subs. Even 5 yards or so might unlock Walsh a bit.

Turkish attempts to launch an Agyemang fan club, to support the Lionesses. 🙂

England's best chance was a strong start, to dictate the play and push Spain back. We got a couple of flashes of it. One where James might have got to a ball across, and a second with Hemp intercepting and forcing the save. After that, it's been played to Spain's tempo. They have throttled the midfield. England haven't sussed out how to regain possession, but release Kelly, Hemp or Russo. Mainly because all 3 are doing defensive work. England haven't been in control long enough to build anything. They've tried to use Carter to launch a few longer balls,but with no success. James often plays within herself, but was clearly not firing on all cylinders today. That did contribute to England's early attacks fizzling. A much tougher ask to break Spain down in the second half. But hopefully they'll drop back, allowing England a few direct chances.

Thanks for sharing. Not a surprise at about his relationship with Ralph. You could see relationships with some of our independent minded, technical players going wrong, as Ralph focused solely on implementing his system, and wasn't one to take feedback on it kindly. Also interesting to hear how Ralph adjusted, during his time with us.

That, and the lettuce then took over as emperor.

It's always unpleasant to see bad actors spread deliberate misinformation to influence charged events. That's what I thought a while ago, when you deliberately combined an incident of vehicle damage with a period of racial unrest. Then you blamed your wife, as you tried to squirm out of it. Once again reality undermines your piousness. 🙂

He does say "can" and not "will" "very, very active" refers to Still getting the squad to run about a bit this season. 🙂

I agree that there are plenty of those who share Corbyn's views still fighting against Starmer's side within the Labour party. They will continue their fight there, with a chance of getting power, rather than jump ship to a new outfit. And yes, by lowering the voting age to 16, Corbyn should get a boost (assuming they field enough candidates). Labour would still get a boost, just not as much as they'd have liked. As with Reform on the right, Labour will be keeping an eye on this new party, denying being affected by it. Until they gain popularity, when that would begin to shift as they seek to keep those votes.

He's going into his final year. If we paid 10 million euros, anything over 2.5 would be an accounting profit, and we'd shift those wages. He's not worth much to us, based on his lack of inclusion. But is worth more than 2.5 to another club, so hopefully this is just negotiations.

Broken

Island

Staff

Wort

Fine margins. Kleinherne had to go off, making a last ditch tackle to prevent a one one one with the 'keeper. Her replacement, Lohmann, is just that little keener to keep possession. Despite a couple of good challenges, and looking to build from defence, she opts to pass than clear. That lets Bonmati in, with a good dummy taking her past a defender and a shot that exploits the half foot Berger had left, expecting a cross. Spain, unable to pass through Germany, continued to build on stretching the width. But even one up, Schuller had a decent strike. In the last seconds, Spain inexplicably moved up, but Brand's pass went in front of everyone. Spain will be favourites in the final. Germany sacrificed a lot of their attack, to keep them at bay. England aren't set up to do that, not does it match their strength. But Spain also have a more creative midfield, who also don't mind getting plenty of frustrating fouls in. England have to set themselves up to directly pressure Spain's high line of defence and push them back as much as possible. Spain were clearly better in the recent friendly, so hopefully Wiegman has some ideas to stop them.

Germany nearly won right at the end, with a deflection and then follow up both saved. Only minutes before, also in added time, Spain got in behind on the flank, and their sub striker was an inch away from getting contact, which would have beaten Berger. Germany contained throughout thecsecond half, with little spells of pressure from Bohl and Hoffman, before she went off. Spain happy to foul Brand, knowing what a threat she is. Spain made an England like sub, in getting more of a target on. It's nearly paid off a few times, and more than their attempts to pass through have done. Into extra time.

Germany keeping their shape as much as possible to limit overstretching, and allowing Spain in behind. Even then, as it approached half time, Spain hit the post and Berger had to make a number of saves. That was due to Germany not getting out of their own third, without losing possession. Germany had some joy with direct balls into the channel. Bohl's chance went just side, while a couple of others ended as offside. As the half went on, Germany struggled to sustain any momentum. A number of deliberate fouls early on set out both sides' determination not to concede ground, setting the tone as controlled from both, until the later stages of the half when Spain got in plenty of attacks.

I'm still hoping to follow how Rangers are getting on with his approach this season, in the league and Europe. This would be where I'd post that.

Did well dealing with the media team's story hook of her being a ball girl 4 years ago. She gave a humble reply, rather than the more honest reply of "and that first day as a ball girl, was the first time I'd ever seen a football. It's not like I was a talented youngster or anything, you clown"

Crumbs! Thing are getting really heavy here, guys. Let's lighten it up. "I've got a joke... What do you get... Nothing Blame the government!" Simon Munnery as Alan Parker.

Only the progressive ones. 🙂

It's nonsense. But if you look for any opinion on social media, there's bound to be people saying and supporting it, I guess. I took too long making my half time tea yesterday, so missed the best football player in humanity's history ,James, going off with what I think was a knock. 🙂

Hemp's output hasn't been to her usual standard. With only Russo to aim for, I thought that applied to some of the others as well. England struggled to create much. But they moved through Wiegman's gameplay until something worked. You could make an argument for the starters to be Kelly on the left, with Russo up front, James supporting and Mead out right, overlapped by Bronze. But despite the strength there, Hemp and Toone bring other things to the team too.