Topic: Women's World Cup 2019 (*)

[BrandoLFC]

I firmly believe anything good that comes from this tournament is in spite of FIFA, each countries respective FA and the coaches involved with just the woman on the field doing the game any justice.  They should really setup a separate structure for them and until they do there will always be some bullshit that they are dealing with.  This time it's new rules + VAR, 4 years ago it was turf fields that even mens youth sides wouldn't be expected to play on, 4 years from now I'm sure it will be something else.

[rushyman]

I firmly believe anything good that comes from this tournament is in spite of FIFA, each countries respective FA and the coaches involved with just the woman on the field doing the game any justice.  They should really setup a separate structure for them and until they do there will always be some bullshit that they are dealing with.  This time it's new rules + VAR, 4 years ago it was turf fields that even mens youth sides wouldn't be expected to play on, 4 years from now I'm sure it will be something else.

Women’s World Cup has been massive stadium televised event for 20 years now?

I remember watching the all conquering Germans win it in USA 2003 on bbc

[Jake]

never a pen for the dutch, arms by her side all the way.

[BrandoLFC]

Women’s World Cup has been massive stadium televised event for 20 years now?

I remember watching the all conquering Germans win it in USA 2003 on bbc

So you're saying everything is fine in the women's game and they should let organizations that seemingly only care about the mens team stay in charge?

[kellan]

Only just realised how bloody close we came to having an all-European last eight 

So now seems like an apt time to remind everyone that this tournament serves as UEFA's qualifying process for the Olympics. Three spots up for grabs. Best three placed finishers take them (England included this time).

The below KO times are local.

[24/7]

So you're saying everything is fine in the women's game and they should let organizations that seemingly only care about the mens team stay in charge?

Doesn't look like that. Stop putting words into people's mouths please. That's why you got the watched tag. Less antagonism, more reasoning required.

[Gerry Attrick]

Only just realised how bloody close we came to having an all-European last eight 

As I said earlier in the thread, when they (BBC) keep trying to insist the game is growing they're being disingenuous in my opinion. What they really mean is the game is growing in countries where it was already in a position of strength relative to the rest of the world. Seems to be a case of 'any growth is good growth' but I don't think anybody can say the gap between the good teams and less good teams has diminished in the last decade. If anything I can see the likes of France and USA consolidating their superiority over the next couple of World Cup cycles as the nations that were on the precipice of challenging lose hugely influential players (Canada- Sinclair, Brazil- Marta/Formiga) and don't seem to have much coming through.

[Something Worse]

As I said earlier in the thread, when they (BBC) keep trying to insist the game is growing they're being disingenuous in my opinion. What they really mean is the game is growing in countries where it was already in a position of strength relative to the rest of the world. Seems to be a case of 'any growth is good growth' but I don't think anybody can say the gap between the good teams and less good teams has diminished in the last decade. If anything I can see the likes of France and USA consolidating their superiority over the next couple of World Cup cycles as the nations that were on the precipice of challenging lose hugely influential players (Canada- Sinclair, Brazil- Marta/Formiga) and don't seem to have much coming through.

The better the women's game > the more money gets into it > the more coaching improves > the more good coaches find work > the more other teams will improve.

It's going to be unbalanced for a few years IMO it'll eventually settle roughly where the men's game is in terms of good/mediocre/bad teams.

[PhaseOfPlay]

As I said earlier in the thread, when they (BBC) keep trying to insist the game is growing they're being disingenuous in my opinion. What they really mean is the game is growing in countries where it was already in a position of strength relative to the rest of the world. Seems to be a case of 'any growth is good growth' but I don't think anybody can say the gap between the good teams and less good teams has diminished in the last decade. If anything I can see the likes of France and USA consolidating their superiority over the next couple of World Cup cycles as the nations that were on the precipice of challenging lose hugely influential players (Canada- Sinclair, Brazil- Marta/Formiga) and don't seem to have much coming through.

Having been involved in the women's game for over a decade, I can say that in my opinion it most certainly has. The strong nations are still the strong nations, but the Euros are definitely a step up from where they were 10 years ago - the Netherlands, Spain and England are way more advanced than they were in 2009. More pro leagues are being backed, to the extent that even an old stalwart like the Belles can no longer compete against the money being put into the other clubs. South American women's football is improving and Brazil are no longer reliant on just Marta, and the game is growing in the African countries. France themselves have improved immensely, from failing to qualify in 2007 to being one of the favourites to win it all in 2019. It's been great to see. There are more opportunities to play professionally for women than ever, and long may it continue - with more professionalism will come better players for all nations, which will raise the level of the WWC in the next two tournaments.

[24/7]

Yup - having been involved a lot in the women's game 10-15 years ago, I agree with PoP. Some nations in this WC have pleasantly surprised - and it struck me that nations like Sweden or Norway haven't gone off the boil as much as other teams have learned how to close the gap, like England and France. This WC has been by far the best women's tournament I've watched. It can only get better (as long as the game is taken seriously by people with the spondoolies).

[Bobinhood]

Well i'm still in mourning for my poor Canadian team, so many good players but we just lacked scoring. Oh well.

Personally i found the round robin kind of uneven but the round of 16 was hugely entertaining imo, VAR aside. Some great games.

[sinnermichael]

Sounds like both of England's centre backs could be missing tomorrow.

[kellan]

There was also another injury confirmed today.

Bibiana Steinhaus.

May as well cancel the rest of the tournament now.

[kellan]

Some officiating stats. Mostly VAR related.

Only 1 caution for simulation. 0 for dissent.

On VAR, 441 incidents have been checked during the 44 games with 29 official VAR reviews. Of the 29, 25 have been changed and only 4 confirmed on the original decision.

Without VAR, 92% of decisions would have been correct. With VAR, it's up to 98%.

12 of the 23 penalties so far awarded without VAR. 3 penalties cancelled after VAR advice.

On average there has been 10 checks a match and 0.66 official reviews per match.

[24/7]

There was also another injury confirmed today.

Bibiana Steinhaus.

May as well cancel the rest of the tournament now.

Injured?! Thought she was built like a brick shithouse!

[24/7]

Some officiating stats. Mostly VAR related.

Anything on how much time added per game on average due to VAR? You said the other day that "7 is the new 3"...........which, as usual with your more ascorbic observations, cracked me up something silly

[sinnermichael]

In rugby, the clock is stopped when they go to the video ref. It's hardly rocket science.

[kellan]

I found where the above stats came from. This has many others https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/refereeing-media-briefing-france-2019-match-1-44-statistics.pdf?cloudid=b7h9pras9shxrwulsfux

[kellan]

Injured?! Thought she was built like a brick shithouse!

Happened during a match. She has only done one. I had wondered why not more and I guess this is why.

Real shame. Not just because she is awesome but because she is only referee to have actually had decent experience of using VAR prior this tournament.

[24/7]

Yup, she's awesome - and experienced. Who was the ref in the England/Cameroon match? She wasn't quite as awesome....

[classycarra]

Some officiating stats. Mostly VAR related.

Only 1 caution for simulation. 0 for dissent.

On VAR, 441 incidents have been checked during the 44 games with 29 official VAR reviews. Of the 29, 25 have been changed and only 4 confirmed on the original decision.

Without VAR, 92% of decisions would have been correct. With VAR, it's up to 98%.

12 of the 23 penalties so far awarded without VAR. 3 penalties cancelled after VAR advice.

On average there has been 10 checks a match and 0.66 official reviews per match.

Those stats are utterly useless in that form, especially if being used to puff VAR.

Unless somebody can provide a stat, for example, for 'Lineswoman thought it was offside, but didn't flag per VAR guidelines' the idea  that the VAR ruling out something that would normally have been flagged is just text book false positives.

The refs body did this during the Mens world cup - it's definitely cynical, but it's hard to tell if it's only that they're as statistically illiterate as they seem (chances are that they are) or just protecting their project/jobs.

EDIT: ah cheers Kellan - it was briefed to the media. Amazing how unthinkingly people take those as worthwhile, let alone positive, stats

[classycarra]

In rugby, the clock is stopped when they go to the video ref. It's hardly rocket science.

Or football

[Bobinhood]

Anyone know who the female announcer who did the Netherlands-Japan game is?  Shes done a couple of other games as well, I think shes excellent. Just has that knack for summing things up quickly and accurately when the actions frantic. She can do Prem games next year, for me.

[kellan]

Anyone know who the female announcer who did the Netherlands-Japan game is?  Shes done a couple of other games as well, I think shes excellent. Just has that knack for summing things up quickly and accurately when the actions frantic. She can do Prem games next year, for me.

It was Sue Smith.

[Jake]

In rugby, the clock is stopped when they go to the video ref. It's hardly rocket science.

There's also a pause in play every time there's a tackle. This isn't rugby.

[Gerry Attrick]

Probably one for the ‘claim to fame’ thread but Sue Smith came to my secondary school to do a speech

[24/7]

Rapinoe? Rapino? Trump trumped.....

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48775195

"I'm not going to the fucking White House!"

[oojason]

Probably one for the ‘claim to fame’ thread but Sue Smith came to my secondary school to do a speech

She didn't bring co-commentator Jonathan Pearce with her, did she? ... no kid deserves that.

[kellan]

Almost time for the first quarter-final: England vs Norway

Biggest news before kick off is that both Houghton and Bright start at CB, despite Neville saying they were major doubts with an ankle issue and a virus respectively. It has also been confirmed Bronze has the same virus but she also starts. Three of the back four less than 100%? Bold selection.

[Hazell]

Norway to win 3-0 

[24/7]

Norway to win 3-0 

Fastest goal of the tournament so far says hello

[Hazell]

Dang.

[classycarra]

That volunteer getting the Engerland band bellends to shut up... not all heroes wear capes

[24/7]

That volunteer getting the Engerland band bellends to shut up... not all heroes wear capes

[24/7]

So this amendment to the goal kick not needing to leave the pen area before you can touch it - does it still prevent attackers from entering the area to intercept it?

[rushyman]

So this amendment to the goal kick not needing to leave the pen area before you can touch it - does it still prevent attackers from entering the area to intercept it?

Ha that would be great if not. Can’t see it tho

[rushyman]

Jonathon Pearce has serious issues

[Hazell]

Jonathon Pearce has serious issues

Needs to be put out to pasture.

[rushyman]

Fuck me

[Gerry Attrick]

Fuck me

Think you pressed the wrong tab mate