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Women's football - good or bad?
June 03, 2005
BBC - .If I wasn't going to write about these championships, the
likelihood of me watching it would be about as miniscule as the chances
of the English ladies lifting this very trophy.
If world rankings are a true reflection of footballing quality, then the
possibly paltry crowds can expect only a brief glimpse of our country's
finest, and Germany will win the tournament again.
Ranked 14th in the world, England can only look down at the Finns as
lesser competition and this speaks volumes for the state of women's
football in England.
Having watched the women's FA Cup for the last few years I can see why
the bookmakers are stacking the odds against England.
It's not being sexist to say that women are leaps and bounds, and a
couple more kangaroo-sized leaps, behind the men.
Even in the countries that promote the women's game the girls would be
well-beaten by their male counterparts.
So what can we expect from this tournament?
I foresee some real wonder goals, as in 'I wonder how the goalkeeper
missed that?'
But I do hope the teams prove me wrong.
A good football tournament would be great now that the season has
finished.
I just can't see it happening.
Have your say on Euro 2005: Do you agree with Greg's views?
Tony
Football fan
"Women's Football? Not in my day."
For those of you that aren't from the John McCririck school of charm, I
welcome you to read on.
Sunday sees the opening games and I honestly believe that our girls have
a really good chance of winning the trophy.
For those of you who aren't that familiar with women's football and are
yet to be swayed away from 'proper' football, I suggest you give it a
chance.
I think you'll genuinely be impressed with the skill, heart and tenacity
that these ladies play with. There is no shirking of challenges and they
are every bit as full-blooded as their male counterparts.
Their technique is also of a very high standard.
I'm sure you'll see a replay of Kelly Smith's long-range thunderbolt
against the Czech Republic - I defy you not to be impressed.
England - as seems usual with these tournaments - start as third or
fourth favourites, with Sweden, Norway and, of course, Germany seen as
the better bet.
The Germans are indeed red-hot favourites to win - they are the current
holders and have won the last three championships.
An England-Germany final is very much a possibility and I wonder then
how many newspapers would take up the cause and throw some much-needed
publicity the way of the women's game?
I expect England to win their first game against Finland comfortably. If
they get a good result against Sweden they will surely make the semis
and begin to dream of lifting the cup for the very first time.
With each and every football tournament there is an overwhelming sense
of optimism that the English national team can actually win - and this
time I don't believe it's misplaced.
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