Football : Lionesses reach the world cup final

They were better in the 2nd half. I just don't think they had an answer to Spain's press. Spain was so, so good on the ball as well.

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by peanut

Well it wasn't meant to be. England did well to get to the final, but they didn't play anywhere near as good in the final as their previous games. It looked like they bottled it from the start and just didn't get any hold on their game.

The first half was a shocking and felt like they were too scared to play. The 2nd half they were better but Spain were by far the better team on the day. Also the ref weren't that good either which didn't help.

I'm sure they'll be kicking themselves when they look back on their performance in the final.

I went to the pub for lunch and caught the last 10mins + 13 mins added time.

Spain looked faster, more direct and more dangerous. I wasn’t very impressed with what I saw by England.

They had a few opportunities (not chances they didn’t turn their opportunities into chances) and right at the last kick of the game almost had a chance but the delivery wasn’t good enough.

[Kursk]

Spain outplayed England from the start. Worryingly, there is a gulf between the way they play and the way England play. The lionesses couldn't keep up with Spain's movement on and off the ball and ultimately their coaching needs to change. If it doesn't, they'll always be runners-up if they are lucky enough to get that far again.

And Spain ought to be celebrating their brilliant and deserved triumph not having a hissy fit over an exhuberant kiss.

[Kursk]

Appropriately, the England keeper is the ‘winner’ of the BBC ‘Second Place Of The Year’ award. We are blessed with so many runners up.

[peanut]

Originally Posted by Kursk

Appropriately, the England keeper is the ‘winner’ of the BBC ‘Second Place Of The Year’ award. We are blessed with so many runners up.

Judging from a lot of online sources / forums her 'win' (the only thing she's won) hasn't gone down too well.

SPOTY is now a bit of joke anyway.

I dont pay any attention to SPOTY, its picked by a "public vote" apparently (I never knew that).
Personally I've never heard of her and wonder what exactly did she do to be a personality of the year ?

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Paul

I dont pay any attention to SPOTY, its picked by a "public vote" apparently (I never knew that).
Personally I've never heard of her and wonder what exactly did she do to be a personality of the year ?

The public vote never did Bob Nudd any good 30 odd years ago and I've paid no attention to the show or winner ever since, what difference does it make to auntie anyway, they don't show hardly any sport anymore, they can't even be trusted to look after A Question of Sport

[Kursk]

It seems that some people found her to be 'inspirational'. Oh well, none of us here care. The whole SPOTY palaver and the now awful Question of Sport, ought to be canned.

She was one of the best players in an England team that got to a World Cup final. If this had been Olympic year or we had a winner in tennis, cricket, rugby or men's football she probably wouldn't have won but the Women's World Cup final was the most prominent sporting achievement from a national sporting point of view and she became the focal point of that team.

The final was also the most watched sporting event of this year. 12 million people. Add to that the increasing popularity of the women's game then you can see where the votes came from.

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by Damien

She was one of the best players in an England team that got to a World Cup final. If this had been Olympic year or we had a winner in tennis, cricket, rugby or men's football she probably wouldn't have won but the Women's World Cup final was the most prominent sporting achievement from a national sporting point of view and she became the focal point of that team.

The final was also the most watched sporting event of this year. 12 million people. Add to that the increasing popularity of the women's game then you can see where the votes came from.

All true of course. I suppose I was just lamenting that the SPOTY winner is our best loser. I feel like The Grinch now .