The women's Euro Championship has reached its final week in football, and the inaugural Tour de France Femmes started on Sunday in Paris. I feel sure that the women won't let us down. I haven't been watching the live games in the women's Euros, choosing instead to follow the highlights, but it is noticeable that the standard of football has increased since the last World Cup.
That championship contained some awful defending, rendering some games unwatchable. These Euros have featured some teams, like Northern Ireland, who were out of their depth, but that is also a feature of the men's championships.
The general standard in the Euros has been good, as has the attendance figures. It helps that the hosts, England, are doing well. The semi-finals feature England against Sweden and France against Germany, and it is clear that the best 4 teams have progressed, after France eliminated the Netherlands, the current holders of the title.
You can't help but think that what the women's game needs right now is their version of a Messi or Maradona, someone who can sprinkle the magic dust and create the hype that takes our interest to the next level. Considering the number of young girls taking up football, and the enhance opportunities to make a career of it, I'm sure it won't be long till a superstar comes along.
In cycling, as the men's Tour de France ended in Paris last Sunday the women's version kicked off. The Tour's operating body having finally relented under immense pressure to hold a women's version of the greatest bike race on the planet. The men have three "Grand Tours", the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. Only the Italians put on a women's grand tour, the Giro Rosa. For some reason the French refused until now. The race covers 8 stages and all the big hitters in the female bike world have showed up.
So, now in mid-summer with Wimbledon and the Tour de France finished, and the start of the football men's season still to come, the sporting world can focus solely on women's sport.
It is great that women have come this far. Let's hope they put on a great show for us this week.
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| Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports. |
I think a lot of the women's soccer at the Euros has been very good. Gonna watch England V Germany on Sunday. That has the makings of a great clash.
ReplyDeleteI have been enthralled by the standard of women's football at this tournament and previous ones. I also try to watch as many WSL games as I can. The progression of women's football is utterly life enhancing.
ReplyDeletePeter has never been a great fan of it but does try to give it encouraging coverage. I thought the last World Cup was very good
DeleteBarry....
ReplyDeleteThe progression of women's football is utterly life enhancing.
Has it really enhanced your life, made it better.....If so how....
As for final...As long as England lose , I don't care who wins..
Frankie, that comment was meant to be generalist not specific to me. I am cheering for the Lionesses as I would cheer for any team from these islands. Having said that; the Lionesses and the wave of support is free of the the toxic mix of nationalism, masculinity and drunken yobbery that is too often associated with the England men's team.
DeleteNah. I'm afraid it's not exactly top notch stuff. But like Frankie as long as England lose I'll be happy.
ReplyDeleteBarry,
ReplyDeleteHaving said that; the Lionesses and the wave of support is free of the the toxic mix of nationalism, masculinity and drunken yobbery that is too often associated with the England men's team.
Give them time Barry.....Give them time.