Women's football

[sussexpob]

Sweden have dominated the ball, but their final pass or finish has been poor. Belgium can't string more than a few passes together, but they've defended pretty well to make life difficult.

Can't see Sweden not winning this game, but this has been a performance miles away from expectations

[sussexpob]

Pinball in the box, Sweden score.

Like to see the replay of the initial ball in. Sweden player backs into the keeper to stop her punching it away....it's soft, but Merino did the same last year and UEFA did explain that it's a foul to do that. Guess they never get given

[Durhamfootman]

desperate game of football. A bit subdued on the pitch and very subdued in the stadium. I was delighted when Sweden scored at the death, because the prospect of another 30 mins was utterly horrifying

I did miss 30 mins of the first half though, because I'm looking after a 6 month old golden retriever puppy and she spotted the ball on the telly. Stood up, went to the telly, pressed her nose up to the screen.... had a sniff underneath, poked her head round the back. I had to switch it off until it was her bed time then rejoin it in the second half

[Durhamfootman]

how on earth did Geyoro miss that?

[Durhamfootman]

Dutch keeper has been terrific in this half. Keeping France out almost single handedly atm.

[Durhamfootman]

nearly saved the pen too

France go through

[sussexpob]

Shaping up to expectations....Sweden for me looked the most vulnerable...I'd guess France or Germany for the win

[Durhamfootman]

It was the first time I'd seen Sweden in the comp and I was expecting better, tbh. Maybe they'll look more the part against England. Belgium were just trying to defend and defend whilst hoping that something turned up, so the semi might be more of an open game and perhaps that will suit Sweden more

France look the part, but they really do seem to have trouble finding goals. The game against Italy apart (and Italy looked like a pub team in that game), France have struggled to score more than a goal a game, which might not do against a team like Germany

[Durhamfootman]

I thought NL looked like a team who'd never played together before. There seemed to be no understanding between the players. I lost track of the number of times they delayed a killer pass until the chance had gone. The outfield players made life much easier for France than perhaps the French were expecting. The keeper, however, made life really hard for them

[Gingerfinch]

Missed most of the game last night but it looked like France should have won by 3-4. The Dutch keeper made a couple of decent saves but yes, the finishing from France wasn't the best.

[Durhamfootman]

It was a decent game to watch last night, I thought

[Gingerfinch]

Finally got tickets for the semi final at MK. £45 for four tickets, plus £20 for park and ride. Would not like to say he's going to win either semi but they should be tight affairs.

[Durhamfootman]

is that Tuesday or Wednesday, ginger?

[Gingerfinch]

Wednesday. Gonna get there earlier this time and savour the atmosphere.

Who's your money on, Footman?

[Durhamfootman]

Germany on Wednesday

Tuesday, I don't want to commit myself either way in case I jinx or double jinx anything. I have no such qualms for the second semi. I think France's goal scoring reluctance will bite them, even though I think they are the better team