Lionesses

Introduction

I am not really sure how to actually pitch this. On Sunday England Lionesses (I am writing this on Friday 29th of July so it may not get published in time) play Germany in the Euro 2022 Final at Wembley Stadium. This is not about their incredible progress but about the marked contrast of the Women’s game to the Men’s game.

Men’s Football

I was brought up watching Football in the 1960s and am a lifelong Preston North End Supporter and you can read about my team in the piece here, which is one of my most read stories.

Men’s football has been plagued with aggression and cheating. Diving and simulation are still prevalent today even with the introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) which can be used to check for fouls and cheating but often is not used in such instances.

Benefits are often given to bigger clubs and players and money is also a big driver.I don’t mind people making mistakes but cheating should be cracked down upon and often it is seen as just someone taking advantage of the situation.

While most players are OK, I can really have total respect for Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Mo Salah and Tom Finney who seem to want to play the game to win rather than cheat their way to an advantage. Tommy Docherty compared Messi to Finney and you can read about Sir Tom here.

Women’s Football

When I watch the women’s game anywhere, and with any team, all I see are players wanting to play the game and to win.

I have watched women’s football over the years and seen misogynists put them down but I think any women’s team could more than match an equivalent men’s team with their absolutely pure football.

On Sunday in Final Germany go in with a record of eight finals, eight wins, England have yet to win a final. However, the match is at Wembley and therefore England have home advantage.

Sarina Wiegman the England manager is attempting to do something no coach has ever done before - win the Women's European Championship with two different countries.

Sarina, 52, who masterminded the Netherlands' triumph on home soil at Euro 2017, is also looking to become the first foreign coach to claim the crown.

Under Sarina, the Lionesses have become absolutely incredible disposing of two top teams Norway (8-0) and Sweden (4-0) on the way to the final. Spain was a very close encounter but they stuck to their guns and despite going behind came back to equalise and take the game to extra time before sealing the victory at 2-1 in the 96th minute.

Focus on the Lionesses

There are hundreds of stories on the web about the amazing performances and the belief is that they can win on Sunday, whether it will be close to the Spain match or the Sweden match we do not know.

The Lionesses under Sarina are skillfully tenacious and show no mercy when they find a weakness. In their football, they are brutal without being aggressive as Norway found out. They do not take their foot off the gas.

They are full of confidence and can pull something out of nothing such as Alessia Russo's goal, which while I don’t agree is the greatest goal ever scored, but it shows a player oozing with confidence, skill and audacity and it is still jaw-droppingly marvellous. Maybe the goalkeeper should have saved it but this is what the Lionesses can do. You can watch it all here.

Conclusion

I will be watching the match on Sunday and if you like Football so will you. As this is about Women’s Football I will drop it into Viva because it shows how brilliant women are.