Uefa Women's Euro 2022 at Bramall Lane

[BushBlade]

I thought the defending was worse than the goalkeeping. The two Spanish players backed off all the way till the English player took her shot. I can't imagine how critical that would have been criticised had that been summarised by any decent male pundit had it been in the men's game, the lack of criticism is one of the things that does annoy me on women's football but it seems that they rarely do that because it would be taken as criticism of the standard.

Overall though I thought the standard was reasonable, some decent passing play for much of the games. I'm not ever going to become a fan as such, no more than I will want to watch the SPL for example. In terms of entertainment it's not bad but would still rather watch league 2 if that was on at the same time as an example.

They did criticise the defence. I only half pay attention to any commentary (and I’m often of the SouthEssexBlade school of watching with the sound down and music on) but I do remember one of them saying the defenders just kept backing off and you can’t give a player that much time on the ball.

 

[Mario1889]

You obviously didn't watch the game last night

I do like that refs books players immediately for dissent. I wish that would happen in the men's game

In what way is it boring?

I watched it from about 70 minutes until the end of the first half of extra time as a few lads at work had been talking about it earlier that day so thought I’d give it a go.

Good on them for getting through and it’s good they are enjoying a much higher profile these days but I just can’t get into it.

The game is slower than the mens game and the standard isn’t particularly good either. As I say I just can’t get into it and find it a bit boring, like watching my mates play on a Sunday.

Just because you don’t find it boring and I do, it doesn’t make either of us right or wrong, it’s all about personal taste.

Each his own.

 

[Mario1889]

You actually didn't have to admit that, you could easily have chosen not to. But go on I'll indulge you, why do you find it boring? Is it because it isn't the same standard that you're used to watching?

All these people who feel the need to complain that the standard isn't good enough do you all stand on the sidelines of your son's (or daughter's but somehow I doubt that) Sunday league game and complain that you find it really boring?

Just giving my views on a thread about woman's football pal, no need to get so upset about it.

You find it exciting and I don’t, each his own.

If I went to a women’s football match I wouldn’t stand there complaining about the standard just as I wouldn’t complain about the standard if I were at my son or daughters Sunday league game.

I would just add however, you take it as a given that kids won’t be as good as adults at playing football, but then kids football doesn’t enjoy the same sort of media coverage or hype that the woman's senior game enjoys, nor are kids games given a prime slot on BBC TV.

Bit of a silly comparison if you don’t mind me saying so pal.

 

[tincan]

Found em,well sort of they have disappeared.

Oh and the pitch is 2m longer for these games..

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/new-dugouts-longer-pitch-behind-24351295

Does anyone know if it has to be changed back? It could be a huge advantage if opposition are used to the pitch being 101m and now its 105m. It would make it even more important for the recruitment to get the speedy players to take advantage of the change.

 

[FulwoodBlades]

I cannot think of any past football match at Bramall Lane with an expected 17 million tv audience. For me, Its great we are hosting this match.

 

[NuddysGloves]

I like playing golf. I find watching it a little boring. So what? You can find something boring without having an agenda against it

It's fine to find things boring, but does it always need to be said? Have you searched for a golf thread on here and told everybody who's talking about golf that you find watching it a little boring? There are so many different threads on this site should we all go through and comment on each one that we find boring to let everybody else know that we find them boring? Or would that just be daft?

 

[NuddysGloves]

Just giving my views on a thread about woman's football pal, no need to get so upset about it.

You find it exciting and I don’t, each his own.

If I went to a women’s football match I wouldn’t stand there complaining about the standard just as I wouldn’t complain about the standard if I were at my son or daughters Sunday league game.

I would just add however, you take it as a given that kids won’t be as good as adults at playing football, but then kids football doesn’t enjoy the same sort of media coverage or hype that the woman's senior game enjoys, nor are kids games given a prime slot on BBC TV.

Bit of a silly comparison if you don’t mind me saying so pal.

Don't mind you saying so at all, I see the difference with the kids game not getting the media coverage but I don't see how media coverage will affect your enjoyment of something if you aren't interested in it?

It's no problem if you find it boring that isn't what I was saying, I just found it amusing that you said "you HAD to admit it" when clearly you didn't. Are you going to go through all the threads on this site that are about things you aren't interested in and feel the same need to admit you aren't interested or find the subject boring?

 

[Mario1889]

Don't mind you saying so at all, I see the difference with the kids game not getting the media coverage but I don't see how media coverage will affect your enjoyment of something if you aren't interested in it?

It's no problem if you find it boring that isn't what I was saying, I just found it amusing that you said "you HAD to admit it" when clearly you didn't. Are you going to go through all the threads on this site that are about things you aren't interested in and feel the same need to admit you aren't interested or find the subject boring?

No I’m not going to go through all the threads on this site. I tend to comment on the ones that are creating most fan interest, the ones that tend to see the most traffic on this site as they are the subjects that are being discussed by fans at the time and I like to join in the discussion.

I find cricket boring as well but I’m not going to go searching for cricket threads on here as it’s not really relevant to the blades and fans aren’t talking about it.

For what it’s worth, I did point out in my post that it was good for the club and would bring revenue in, I just stated it wasn’t really for me as I find it boring. Just because I find it boring to watch however, it doesn’t mean that I can’t acknowledge something that will bring income into the club, a topic that I am interested in.

Fans can be interested in the club finances and potential revenue streams without finding women’s football exciting pal.

 

[NuddysGloves]

No I’m not going to go through all the threads on this site. I tend to comment on the ones that are creating most fan interest, the ones that tend to see the most traffic on this site as they are the subjects that are being discussed by fans at the time and I like to join in the discussion.

I find cricket boring as well but I’m not going to go searching for cricket threads on here as it’s not really relevant to the blades and fans aren’t talking about it.

For what it’s worth, I did point out in my post that it was good for the club and would bring revenue in, I just stated it wasn’t really for me as I find it boring. Just because I find it boring to watch however, it doesn’t mean that I can’t acknowledge something that will bring income into the club, a topic that I am interested in.

Fans can be interested in the club finances and potential revenue streams without finding women’s football exciting pal.

Joining in with discussion is great that's what we're all here for at the end of the day.

So why do you find it boring, is it down to the quality on offer, the speed of the game, something else? Do you think that there are things that could be changed to make it more interesting for you? Do you think that the additional media coverage the game is getting is helping to raise its profile which will over time lead to a better quality and potentially more exciting/interesting product?

(okay the last question is slightly leading but I think it's a good point for discussion!)

 

[Davalon]

No better place than the Lane for England to lose a SF on penalties

 

[blade too long]

all tournaments have very dull and boring games its par for the course
some mens World cup games are sleep inducing

Englands ladies /women/ femmes winner v Spain signorina's was a proper highlight. a get in there moment

 

[Bladethebrian]

Just seen that we are hosting some of the matches, probably was announced ages ago but didn't see it or a thread on it so thought it deserved one:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58655047

It's good that we're featured as a venue, I was going to go to the Rugby League World Cup matches until it was postponed so clearly a smart club strategy.

Hopefully we get a fair few attending and supporting the event

So was there 8-0 walloping of Norway - fast attacking football. An enjoyable watch

 

[Nah den]

Don't know if it's been mentioned on here previously, but I think making the pitch a bit smaller and also reducing the size of the goals would improve women's football as a spectacle. I think it would improve the 'pace' of the game and the physicality. Making the goals a bit smaller would reduce the number of goals scored about a foot under the bar that just loop over the shorter keepers (which then invites comments about it all being poor quality). Not sure it would ever be allowed to happen though as it would be acknowledging a difference.

 

[Champagneblade]

I'm in my 40s and I save that. There wasn't even that much power on it. She dived under it. Didn't even try and wave a glove at it.

It's not easy with oven gloves on you know

 

[BelgianBlade]

Article published yesterday about the changes made to Bramall Lane to prepare for these games — interesting read!

https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/sport/article/womens-euro-2022-behind-the-scenes

 

[Jon B]

Both the skill and strength of the women's game are obviously improving greatly though, for obvious reasons, in terms of strength and power men's football will always be at a higher level.

I am impressed with what I've seen of the competition so far and next Tuesday's game at Bramall Lane should be a memorable occasion and even more so if the Lionesses manage to go on and win the trophy.

 

[NuddysGloves]

Don't know if it's been mentioned on here previously, but I think making the pitch a bit smaller and also reducing the size of the goals would improve women's football as a spectacle. I think it would improve the 'pace' of the game and the physicality. Making the goals a bit smaller would reduce the number of goals scored about a foot under the bar that just loop over the shorter keepers (which then invites comments about it all being poor quality). Not sure it would ever be allowed to happen though as it would be acknowledging a difference.

I once interviewed Jill Scott and asked her about smaller nets, her response was basically they don't want the game made easier for them they want to make themselves better. Quite a good reply I thought.

 

[Working Class Hero]

I once interviewed Jill Scott and asked her about smaller nets, her response was basically they don't want the game made easier for them they want to make themselves better. Quite a good reply I thought.

It only makes it easier at one end though, harder at the other. Net effect is that the game is the same, except the keeper's don't look as daft.

I wouldn't change the size of the goals by the way, just pointing out the flaw in that answer.

 

[Original United]

I cannot think of any past football match at Bramall Lane with an expected 17 million tv audience. For me, Its great we are hosting this match.

Against pigs u-21's??

Obviously the senior side would be 50 million +

 

[NuddysGloves]

It only makes it easier at one end though, harder at the other. Net effect is that the game is the same, except the keeper's don't look as daft.

I wouldn't change the size of the goals by the way, just pointing out the flaw in that answer.

Fair comment, if I was any good at interviewing I'd have realised that and pointed it out to her, no surprise I didn't go for a career in sports journalism!

 

[Rodders]

It only makes it easier at one end though, harder at the other. Net effect is that the game is the same, except the keeper's don't look as daft.

I wouldn't change the size of the goals by the way, just pointing out the flaw in that answer.

The other simple point, I guess is that where is all the extra funding coming from for them to have specialist pitches that are a little smaller?

 

[Nah den]

I once interviewed Jill Scott and asked her about smaller nets, her response was basically they don't want the game made easier for them they want to make themselves better. Quite a good reply I thought.

Yeah and I get that angle (although WCH has pointed out the flaw in that), my point is more around making it a better spectacle and therefore more commercially viable and ultimately more popular. Currently most shots or headers that are in the top third of the goal stand a good chance of going in, which kind of dilutes the achievement of scoring a goal.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Yeah and I get that angle (although WCH has pointed out the flaw in that), my point is more around making it a better spectacle and therefore more commercially viable and ultimately more popular. Currently most shots or headers that are in the top third of the goal stand a good chance of going in, which kind of dilutes the achievement of scoring a goal.

Have there been suggestions that goals should me made larger in men’s football?The height of goalies nowadays makes it very different from when the current size was fixed; the amount the ball swerves in the air now has perhaps compensated. Our giant from the early 1900s would be below average height now.

 

[Ned the Donkey]

I used to be in the make the nets smaller, pitches smaller etc camp but I've changed my mind.

One comparison is that women play tennis on the same court as the men. It's the same but different.

I'm not sure the women should be forced to play the same game as the men by compensating for physical differences. Just let the game with its extra time and space develop in its own way.

Same, but different.

 

[Nah den]

Have there been suggestions that goals should me made larger in men’s football?The height of goalies nowadays makes it very different from when the current size was fixed; the amount the ball swerves in the air now has perhaps compensated. Our giant from the early 1900s would be below average height now.

I don't think this has been suggested no, not that I've heard of anyway. But then men's football is hugely commercially popular as it currently is, the women's game isn't. I'm not saying a smaller net is some sort of silver bullet, but I'd suggest something needs to happen to make the game appeal to the masses after this tournament if it's to take advantage of the hype and improve. The danger is that women's club football goes back to being played in front of one man and his dog.

 

[Nah den]

I used to be in the make the nets smaller, pitches smaller etc camp but I've changed my mind.

One comparison is that women play tennis on the same court as the men. It's the same but different.

I'm not sure the women should be forced to play the same game as the men by compensating for physical differences. Just let the game with its extra time and space develop in its own way.

Same, but different.

Yeah I agree it should be viewed as a stand alone 'product' and comparisons aren't helpful. The England games I've seen have been entertaining, I've enjoyed them. Some of the others however haven't, and one particular stand out is the 'standard of keeping', some pretty soft goals are scored, which spoils it as a competitive spectacle sometimes.

One solution might be to reduce the size of the goals given the physically smaller keepers.

I'm just thinking of how the women's game can be improved and grown. This isn't the first hyped women's international football tournament (plus British team in Olympics) but on previous occasions the post tournament landscape goes back to the same fairly unpopular sport. No one is filling stadium's with women's football nor are people paying subscription fees to watch it on TV. Just suggesting something probably needs to change.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Making the pitches smaller doesn't make the women faster so I don't get that argument. However the goalkeepers are the most obvious weak point of it all and they could probably do with some help. Then again it's not like games are regularly 5 3 or daft scores like that all the time

 

[WhiteHawk]

How about getting the keepers to play in these?

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

I don't think this has been suggested no, not that I've heard of anyway. But then men's football is hugely commercially popular as it currently is, the women's game isn't. I'm not saying a smaller net is some sort of silver bullet, but I'd suggest something needs to happen to make the game appeal to the masses after this tournament if it's to take advantage of the hype and improve. The danger is that women's club football goes back to being played in front of one man and his dog.

It would be positive if the big clubs in men’s football didn’t dominate the women’s game. If the finances could be made more equal in the women’s game, I can imagine situations where teams outside the big 6 could win leagues, cups, etc., and attract big crowds. I have more or less given up on United (men) winning the Cup or PL, but I think the potential support for United (women) challenging for national or international honours would be considerable. Do Man City fans really want another event where they have to drag themselves down to Wembley yet again? And just imagine how many Wednesday would take

 

[Ned the Donkey]

WSL last season. It looks a little one-sided and high-scoring but, for instance the Spurs scores all seem pretty normal, home and away. Seems to make sense to let the game develop.



For a (not entirely random) comparison this is the 58-59 Division 1 Season. (Not random because I was looking for the Spurs 10 Everton 4 game.) Lots of 5s and 6s in amongst that lot.