Semi-final defeat by Holland has raised questions about manager’s approach and the old failing of ball retention proved key once moreOn the stroke of 8am, a uniformed attendant parked his van alongside the FanZone and surveyed a grisly scene. After pausing momentarily, he began painstakingly clearing the mini-mountain of litter scarring a usually serene patch of grass, bisecting a pleasant square.Bit by bit the polystyrene cartons, beer cans, cigarette ends and empty pizza boxes scarring this corner of downtown Enschede disappeared. Around 90 miles to the west, another type of Friday morning cleanup was similarly underway at England’s Utrecht base. As Holland fans partied late in the FanZone following the Oranje’s 3-0 semi-final deconstruction of Mark Sampson’s side here on...
England striker went into the Euro 2017 semi-final with five goals but was unable to match Holland’s Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de DonkIf Holland proceed to win their home tournament on Sunday, a feat that now seems distinctly likely, then at least four Arsenal players will begin the Women’s Super League season with a spring in their step. This was a deserved, desolating defeat for England and, just as much, an exuberant, convincing victory for the Dutch; it will be little consolation it also served notice of the depth of talent available in the WSL.The buildup had focused on the five‑goal haul of the England centre‑forward Jodie Taylor; of far more relevance afterwards were the contributions of Vivianne Miedema...
The Lionesses have not beaten France since 1974 but their bullish coach is confident of quarter-final victory on SundayA late Gothic weigh-house sits in the middle of Deventer’s handsome main square. Alongside it hangs a copper cauldron once used to perform gruesome executions involving miscreants being submerged in boiling water.Happily behavioural norms in this charming former Hanseatic trading town on the river Ijssel in the Netherlands are much modified these days. Even so, should the simmering verbal contretemps between Mark Sampson and Olivier Echouafni spill over into the technical area on Sunday night, there would surely be few objections to a vat of iced water being chucked over the pair. Related: Euro 2017: Hosts Holland see off Sweden as Germany...
Hours after England women’s World Cup cricket success people were asking what our pampered footballers could learn from it, while it was suggested Johanna Konta could teach José Mourinho’s players about playing through injuryForgive me if the following comes across as naively euphoric. But we’ll only know it’s a truly watershed summer for women’s sport if we get through it without being overwhelmed by commentary on what men’s football could learn from it all.They’re poorer but they’re a million times more dignified! They’re less watched but their crowds don’t have any hooligans in them! They may not have supercars but they have more nobility in their bus tickets than the entire Man City squad put together! They actually win stuff...
Two of the favourites have struggled and the greater competitiveness reflects the doubling of investment in women’s football across Europe since 2013Germany, seeking to win the European championship for a seventh time in a row, have surprisingly stuttered into their title defence. In 2013 the start of the story was similar – they finished second in their group with one win, a draw and a loss. However, they went on to clinch their sixth title with trademark efficiency, three 1-0 wins paving the way.Although not as all-conquering in Europe as they were before Euro 2013, Germany contain a huge amount of quality and have more experience than any other side when it comes to handling the pressures of major tournaments....