• 27 Jul 2025, 10:09 p.m.

    History is written by the victors. If Spain had put some of their clear cut chances on target, the England goalkeeper wouldn't be in the conversation. Without changing a single thing that she did.

  • 27 Jul 2025, 10:10 p.m.

    No, I don’t give a shit. Good on them. “Very proud of the girls…etc”

  • 28 Jul 2025, 11:12 a.m.

    It’s possible to write a narrative about every single game along those lines, though.

    • “If Gascoigne had been sent off in the Cup Final…”;
    • “If Gascoigne had connected with that late cross in Euro 96…”;
    • “If Taiwo & MGW had hit the net instead of the woodwork…”;
    • “If the roof of Muff’s tinpot ground hadn’t conveniently blown off…”;
    • “If Joe Baker hadn’t been injured in the quarterfinal…”;
    • “If Anderlecht hadn’t bribed the ref…”;
      “If Forest hadn’t sold Cooper & Campbell…”;
    • “If Billy Davies hadn’t been a tosser…” [OK, this last one might be stretching things a little].

    The Spanish forwards didn’t do their job. Hampton did. Everything else is just noise.

  • 28 Jul 2025, 11:19 a.m.

    It was also inspiring. And fab. I'm told.

    100.

  • 28 Jul 2025, 11:29 a.m.

    I don't really get the worry. If it's your thing enjoy it, if it's not ignore it.

  • 28 Jul 2025, 1:34 p.m.

    I understand the arthur martha principle.

    My point is, that the assessment appears to be outcome based, not performance based. There could have been a radically different outcome, with no change in performance, and the judgement of observers would have been different.

    Nothing that you have said undermines that point.

  • 28 Jul 2025, 1:51 p.m.

    I’m very happy to accept the outcome. England won. Spain were, by any metric, the better team.

    I cannot accept that this was some tactical masterclass and brilliant execution from Sarina Wiegman (articles talking about “moving her chess pieces around” and “learning from how Germany played” and England “finding a way.”) England were totally outplayed for large parts of that game and created nothing in extra time. Spain regularly passed through the press, consistently found gaps in the inside channels, were generally better with pass completion etc. So the “finding a way” was basically “hold on for penalties knowing that we have more grit and experience of that environment.”

    Jonathan Liew gets it about right.

  • 28 Jul 2025, 1:55 p.m.

    I don't think it was a tactical masterclass, I do think Wiegman has created an exceptional team environment though that allows them to overcome adversity.

  • 28 Jul 2025, 2:42 p.m.

    So she is the Gareth Southgate of the Women's team? Fair do's.

    I really didn't watch the tournament. I did watch the penalties at the end because everyone was texting me so I thought i would give it a go.

    The Pennos were pretty duff but it was entertaining for a short time. Of course the fittest bird missed. I would confort her but you know...the fired Spanish coach....

    Chicago: Also Pretty apathetic.

  • 28 Jul 2025, 2:56 p.m.

    With added medals.

  • 28 Jul 2025, 7:04 p.m.

    I don’t know, if Farke has got her penalty on target England would have been out in the quarters.

    Much was made of Agemang as she got the goal v Italy but it was poor keeping to knee it to her. A poor touch by her that gave her a shooting opportunity that went through the keepers legs.

    And then Spain couldn’t finish in the final.

    I’m not sure any of that is down to team spirit, most teams play until the end.

    I think they just got got very lucky. But as others have said it’s their name on the cup.

    Will be interesting if any more girls sign up for the u5s I’m taking next year. Last year it was only my two. Much was made about increased female participation after the last win and WC and I’m sure more do play but it’s still not that noticeable.

  • 29 Jul 2025, 12:40 a.m.

    If what I saw last night was any indication, women's football in England isn't about to go through a Renaissance because of the quality of the young uns coming through. Arsenal, one of the biggest clubs in the world and presumably able to attract the top players, got absolutely and deservedly hammered by a bunch of girls from various clubs across British Columbia who have mostly never played with each other before.

  • 29 Jul 2025, 6:49 a.m.

    Yer, but, if it had gone to penalties they would have got what's coming to um.

  • 29 Aug 2025, 12:16 p.m.

    Djed Spence call up!

    Anderson and MGW also in.

  • 29 Aug 2025, 2:03 p.m.

    Fascinating that you’re more excited about Djed than you are Eliot…

  • 29 Aug 2025, 3:30 p.m.

    Surprise, rather than excitement.