I think the problem is comparing it (whether consciously or subconsciously) with men's football. But it's all relative. Women's tennis isn't better or worse than men's tennis, it's different (sometimes I prefer to watch an exciting back and forth rally than 170mps aces - not that there aren't any exciting men's rallies). Likewise women's boxing, or rugby. If you put an 11stone male boxer in with an 11stone female boxer, I think the male wins 9 times out of 10 (but what do I know). But an 11stone female boxer against an 11stone female boxer can be a great boxing match. And I don't mean in the way that, two bad boxers can serve up an exciting spectacle by sheer lack of skill; I'm reminded of the recent boxing match between Ireland's Katie Taylor and Liverpool's very own Natasha Jona - what a fight that was!
I found the first half against Sweden was played at a break-neck speed, and the technical side of things was great. Never mind the cheeky back-heeled goal (worth the price of admission, alone), there was a moment when one of the England players played a forward pass from midfield with the outside of the foot having just won the ball in a duel. That was as good as anything I've seen in the men's game. Sure there were mistakes, but then, we've seen male footballers commit some real howlers. I even remember Big Virg making a mistake once! (but I might have dreamed that last part
).
What the women might lack in power and pace they make up for in technical skill (again, the tennis example). And as far as pace is concerned - if the 100m sprint world records tell us anything, they aren't
that far behind: Usain Bolt 9.58s and Florence Griffith-Joyner 10.49s. Yes, almost a second is seen as quite a gap in 100m sprints, but my point is, they are no slouches.
Watching England v Sweden last night, there were exciting moments and on the whole, it was enjoyable (apart from when the scoreline hit 4-0 and the match was effectively over - but unless it's Liverpool 4-0, I think most games are pretty much over at that point). Will it ever rival my love for watching LFC, I seriously doubt that. But I could see myself picking a women's football team and following their matches. No problem.
Anyway, that's how I feel about it.
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