Womens World Cup!

[pontoonlew]

Your opinion is shit. FIFA (video game not the c*** in suits) will only enhance the women's game and have zero negative effects on our enjoyment of playing virtual football.

Thank you brilliantly for that.

I'm not sure how you justify having a level of football that fails to attract a decent domestic audience other than a World Cup or Olympics into a video game mind you. Unless you can enlighten me with your obviously superior opinion mind?

 

[mnb089mnb]

There is no comparison, the importance and impact of it all doesn't come anywhere near close. Quoting somebody in the article claiming it to be 'worse', another saying she hopes Bassetts tears will become as iconic as Gazzas.

I think they are, the addition to FIFA 16 for example is pretty cringeworthy imo. I think some people have totally unrealistic expectations of how the women's game is going to shape up in the future. I saw one news report feature a piece about how women struggle daily to compete with men in football as they do in life, due to vastly differing wages and prize money. I cannot even fathom how people are thick enough to produce a report like that, never mind it get any air time.

That all said, the women's game is making vast improvements as shown in this world cup. Which should see more people take it up and in turn potentially increase the entertainment value of it.

Yeah, I'd say this is worse for Bassett than it was for Paul Gascgoine. Basset's was a mistake that ultimately saw her team eliminated from the tournament. She was crying for herself and her team. Gazza's tears were because he lunged at a German player, picked up a booking and thought he'd miss the final. His tears were for himself.

As for FIFA 2016, there are approximately 500 teams on FIFA, to complain about the addition of twelve women's side as cringeworthy is very odd. Especially as there are League of Ireland teams and League Two sides on the game.

Half of the world are women, why wouldn't FIFA want to feature them in their game? 50,000 people were at that England game yesterday and millions watched around the world. Seems like a very wise business decision to me. I can't understand why anyone would be annoyed at their inclusion. I'd love to see the usage statistics once the teams are added. I imagine far more people will play as USA/England Women than Newport County or Sligo Rovers.

I don't think the comparison between women's and men's football, or tournaments is fair. The FA effectively banned women's football for 50 years and the women's side have only recently played their first game at "the home of English football". There's a long way to go before the sport reaches its potential, but it will grow, it's inevitable. And many people are going to have to get used to it.

 

[thespus]

Thank you brilliantly for that.

I'm not sure how you justify having a level of football that fails to attract a decent domestic audience other than a World Cup or Olympics into a video game mind you. Unless you can enlighten me with your obviously superior opinion mind?

Ehh, I'm pretty sure the burden of proof is on the person labeling the inclusion of FIFA international football teams in the FIFA video game as "cringeworthy". Personally, my opinion is, "why the fuck would this bother anyone?"

 

[mnb089mnb]

Thank you brilliantly for that.

I'm not sure how you justify having a level of football that fails to attract a decent domestic audience other than a World Cup or Olympics into a video game mind you. Unless you can enlighten me with your obviously superior opinion mind?

The teams included are 12 international sides, not domestic ones.

NWSL had a higher average attendance than League Two last season. Is the inclusion of League Two in FIFA "cringeworthy"?

 

[Leewilson]

I'm still gutted today regarding this. I don't think I've ever been this gutted actually over an England side. I always watch the international women's football at the major tournaments and England under Hope Powell for years have been shit to be honest. Even in the better days, there was just a huge reliance on Kelly Smith to win us games.

I have to completely backtrack on Sampson. I do still think he got it wrong vs France but he's done nothing wrong since then and is a perfect manager for the woman's team. He doesn't go based on reputation, he plays those who he thinks will win him the match. He's not afraid to make 'risky' changes either. Taking off Fara Williams against Canada and Japan would never have happened in a million years under Powell, even if she had 12% pass completion over the entire match. Sampson goes with the benefit of the team and isn't afraid to take off an established name. Respect there. I also like the way he's not been drawn into this 'tika taka' philosophy it appears England have become obsessed by in the men's game. He sticks to simple principles of working hard and getting the ball forward early. If we're being honest, it's the type of football we're good at. We'll never be able to change.

In general though, it was the comradery that really got to me. It made the men's team look quite pathetic actually. This is not to say the men don't try, of course they do, but there's a going through the motions effect when they play. The women gave it everything, they covered so much ground, the midfielders were closing down relentlessly throughout. We made the best 'technical' side in the tournament look completely average. The back 4 were superb, Lucy Bronze in particular is one hell of a player. I'd be tempted to play her higher up the pitch though as she has a Bale-esque quality for me when she's on the ball. Jade Moore and Katie Chapman added that real bite in the knockout rounds. However, I thought Jill Scott was absolutely sensational yesterday. They were shit scared of her and again, she was box to box the entire game and never relented. Duggan and Taylor worked ever so hard and both showed flashes of instinct in the box that were very unlucky not to see goals.

Laura Bassett will feel like shit but in general I feel sorry for the entire team because none of them deserved that. Surely one day, we will have a moment in international football which makes all of these horrible exits worthwhile. It's probably a bit harsh to criticise Bassett but I just wish she'd gone for it with her left foot and hooked it away. I actually think Houghton was getting there to cover as well after seeing it again. But it's one of them things. The team will have won a lot of supporters from this tournament. I hope it does wonders for their game. No reason why we can't go well at the Euroes in two years. France and Germany start as favourites but beyond that, you're looking at Sweden and Norway really as other real threats. None in particular should be feared. We've proved with a relatively young squad that we can mix it with the best.

 

[Veggie Legs]

Superb post, Lee, that's exactly how I felt about it too.
Great post upthread from mnb too.

 

[mistermagic]

Didn't watch the game and it looks like the Japanese have excelled in grabbing undeserved wins. I hope they lose to the Americans frankly.

 

[CEngelbrecht]

On the flipside, if she hadn't gone for the ball, it would've be open goal for the Japanese striker. Don't know if that's a comfort, but ...

I seem to remember some people burned Beckham in effigy for a bad World Cup move some years back. At least there's nothing but sympathy on this one, it seems.

 

[Super_horns]

Bet we lose to the Germans on pens to compound things!

 

[silkyman]

England take the lead after 106 minutes thanks to a penalty!

 

[GodsGift]

Fantastic effort. This side is so damn likeable, I hope they get the heroes return they deserve.

 

[silkyman]

Shame that the match timings has meant that they haven't got the press coverage.

Great performance from the side. But sadly it's also flushed out a lot of mysogeny from people who want to do nothing but slag them off.

 

[CEngelbrecht]

Some kind of justice. Congrats.

 

[JJ1532]

The girls deserve this. A soft penalty(which was, but they never get given) against the Germans, thanks very much. Bit of karma and hopefully helps them(especially Bassett) get over the semi final exit.

There is bags of potential and promise in this squad. The unity and belief this finish will have given them is massive, hopefully they can take that forward into the qualifiers for the Euros in 2 years. Whilst they have gotten modest coverage this time around, the next 2 tournaments(Euro 2017 in Holland and 2019 World Cup in France) will see them get a lot more exposure due to the locality to England. I'd imagine, given the way this team has captured the imaginations of football fans in this country, they will be well supported in 2 and 4 years time.

 

[Super_horns]

Another solid display against the top ranked side and took our chance when it came.

Impressive to bonce back from the disappointment of the Japan game with such discipline.

 

[Murphy]

Bloody deserve that. Seeing what it meant to them all at the end off the subs bench when the referee blew her whistle, and when the penalty went in really warms the heart - an England team that actually has some proper passion. I'm sure the blokes want to win and all that and maybe they restrain it, but that sort of love for the shirt and for actually doing well was wonderful to watch.

Aside from the France game, they've been a pleasure to watch. They may not have the most quality of the sides there (as shown with the passing statistics and whatnot), but I'd have them down as one of the most entertaining, I don't think I've enjoyed a sight more in this World Cup than Lucy Bronze marauding down the right hand side and consistently beating her woman. And Jill Scott as well who just seems to give 150% in every match and every ball. The key thing is that they're a team, united and playing for eachother under a bloke who's done a seriously good job - and that is something extremely refreshing to see.

 

[claret50]

Hats off to the ladies, well played girls.

 

[smat]

Thread: Thing That Does Not Directly Benefit White Men

Pontoonlew: Well this is obviously ridiculous.

 

[Leewilson]

Didn't see the match unfortunately as was out but delighted we managed to take 3rd place. Finished as the beat European nation in the tournament ahead of the Germans and French. Who'd have thought it?!!!

 

[Super_horns]

Shame we won't be in Rio next year.

Just have to win the Euros then..

 

[mente captus]

i have to say:

 

[Stevencc]

Beating the Germans...with a penalty!

Well I never

 

[Red]

Bloody deserve that. Seeing what it meant to them all at the end off the subs bench when the referee blew her whistle, and when the penalty went in really warms the heart - an England team that actually has some proper passion. I'm sure the blokes want to win and all that and maybe they restrain it, but that sort of love for the shirt and for actually doing well was wonderful to watch.

Aside from the France game, they've been a pleasure to watch. They may not have the most quality of the sides there (as shown with the passing statistics and whatnot), but I'd have them down as one of the most entertaining, I don't think I've enjoyed a sight more in this World Cup than Lucy Bronze marauding down the right hand side and consistently beating her woman. And Jill Scott as well who just seems to give 150% in every match and every ball. The key thing is that they're a team, united and playing for eachother under a bloke who's done a seriously good job - and that is something extremely refreshing to see.

Great post. I'd rather watch the England women than the men.

 

[mistermagic]

Bloody well done.

Not sure if watching the final is a good idea for my sleep pattern. I hope the Yanks win.

 

[Nilsson]

this is unreal

 

[claret50]

Blimey, just switched over to bbc2 and 4-0 to the yanks after 20mins!

 

[Nath]

https://vine.co/v/en7B92HJrbK

Bizarre game.

 

[G-Dragon]

Almost feel bad for Japan. Poor girl crying after being subbed early.

 

[thespus]

Comfortably the best team in the tournament; incredible passion and desire from the team from the opening whistle. I'm very impressed by the American fans, too. Goes to show how clueless the lazy stereotypes about Americans and soccer are. USA will soon have its 3rd World Cup winning side.

 

[Stevencc]

That was possibly the best "around the halfway line goal" I've seen. Unlike most of the other well known ones (Beckham, Suarez, Rooney, Adam, Alonso) she ran with the ball in her own half and actually skilled a player (possibly a nutmeg, I've only seen it once) before scoring. Amazing.