As expected, to be honest. At most maybe just maybe Serbia could have gone through to League A but now that Iceland won it's safe to say everyone will stay in their respective leagues.
HT les bleues totally overwhelmed Nobody at attack except ELS who tries, Katoto invisible, Diani missed all controls, all passes and play without idea, the midfield ?, have we a midfield ? anyway, is too far from the attack... we neef Casacrino to try something on the wing but she s not at 100%. De almeida is too slow, she lost the spanish player and then Spain scored... And all the bleues are too naive
Despite your pessimism, French players seem to have begun this 2nd Half with energy and purpose. Edit: ok, I shut up. After 5 good initial minutes by France, Spain score at their first offensive action of the 2nd Half, at 53', with Mariona Caldentey from a pinpoint assist in the box by Aitana Bonmatì.
The best team won tonight, deserved. That said, France defeat is also for Hervé Renard ; starting Katoto was a mistake as she did absolutely nothing against Germany. Starting Henry was also not good, she misses pace and was tired after the previous match. HR waited too long to make subs, Diani was not in the match and would have been out at HT... Anyway Spain was much stronger, Les Bleues have to go back to school... I feel for ELS who was so disapointed
Good match. The referee, Tess Olofsson (Sweden), is very good. Not perfect (no one is), but very very good. Again, some of the notable characteristics of a good referee at this level: Allows normal physical play & contact, doesn't call a foul every time a player winds up on the ground — and usually seems to get those right Plays and signals the advantage — so when play continues, it's clear she saw the foul and didn't just fail to see it Usually waits a moment for advantage to develop; yet somehow doesn't seem like she's only calling a foul because someone's pleading for it with their arms up
Groenen to Beerensteyn was the moment for the Dutch that was squandered. Beerensteyn also couldn’t do better on a 1v1 after great Groenen and Kaptein passes. Van de Donk lost out to Oberdorf, couldn’t tackle/foul her, and then ball watched when she arguably could have gotten to Buehl if she hadn’t. Probably shouldn’t have started so soon after her illness. Frappart with a great basketball screen on Groenen prior to the corner for Germany’s second goal. Maybe it would have played out like that regardless, but that was poor field awareness in my opinion. I think Groenen, Janssen, and Miedema are the only old guard/golden generation players that should continue to be big players for the Dutch. Martens, Van de Donk, and Spitse should arguably not be as important pieces to the team anymore.
I think Jonkers hesitated too long with substituting players. Martens was about as invisible as can be and should have been subbed out after the break. Fresh legs should have been put in after the break too.
Kaptein was so open. Beerensteyn could have so many assists if she didn't have such tunnel vision. Off the Bonmati turnover vs Spain, she should have played in her teammate (don't remember who) for a good chance, but she instead waited and shot into a Spanish defender.
A lot of poor decision making from the French players when they were on the ball. It was clear they are not used to the Spanish pressing intensity. A lot of ball watching defensively too. If you add to the mix a lot of technical mistakes, no chance against a phenomenal team like Spain.
I thought she was way too lenient did not whistle enough fouls and did not give enough yellow card. Not impressed, because Spain were doing a lot of tactical fouls to prevent France from developing their attacks, when they tried to.
I was only able to watch the first half because of a Board of Directors meeting. Just saw the result and I was not surprised. This will be a good thing in the long run as there are a lot of players are burned out from all the matches for both club and country. ESPN US had a long story on this the other day, noting how many competitions the NT has been in over the past 5 years. When you add into that the increased club schedule and Champions League matches that impact almost all the starters, it's a huge burden. I've seen Groenen both for club and country this year and she looks like she is running on fumes. Probably the same for van de Donk. Martens is really not quick these days. Miedema is still not back in the team with any great effect. Beerensteyn was so selfish on that one break away as she had an open teammate but decided to take on two defenders.. It was a great run by these ladies but some of them will need to step aside now.