The skill level of women's football

[YankeeJim]

The women's game is decidedly different than that of the men. Certainly not as good from a football standpoint but better from an entertainment aspect in many respects. The constant effort by all players exceeds that of most male games, IMO. Most importantly, they just get on with it. Little of the gamesmanship, stalling, cheap shots or playacting that makes much of men's football irritating to watch. That, and I have a thing for long legged, lissome women. Of course that doesn't effect my opinion at all.  :022:

[Holders]

The comments above are almost all very positive and appreciative and some good points made.

I thought the pass from Parris to White(?) yesterday was pin-point and worthy of any top PL forward.

[Barrett487]

Apologies  if this has been covered... but.

Agreeing with many posters, however... it seems to me that there is a nucleus of (maybe) eight countries who have recognisable skill.

US, France, Germany, Sweden, Holland, plus a couple of others including GB.

The point is, whilst there may be skill within the women's football world cup, there are way too many 'shin it and hope' teams. Argentina were a good example of this.

[fulhamben]

Apologies  if this has been covered... but.

Agreeing with many posters, however... it seems to me that there is a nucleus of (maybe) eight countries who have recognisable skill.

US, France, Germany, Sweden, Holland, plus a couple of others including GB.

The point is, whilst there may be skill within the women's football world cup, there are way too many 'shin it and hope' teams. Argentina were a good example of this.

you get that in the mens world cup too. It's because of the stupid way qualification is done, you take the best teams from areas rather than the best teams in the world. It's why for me the Euros is stronger than the world cup

[Dr Quinzel]

Apologies  if this has been covered... but.

Agreeing with many posters, however... it seems to me that there is a nucleus of (maybe) eight countries who have recognisable skill.

US, France, Germany, Sweden, Holland, plus a couple of others including GB.

The point is, whilst there may be skill within the women's football world cup, there are way too many 'shin it and hope' teams. Argentina were a good example of this.

It will come. You have teams like Argentina who are still covering their own flight costs, so you can imagine the difference the funding gets from nation to nation.

[General]

Zero interest in it personally, but the level is perhaps closest to high level U16-U18 mens

Agreed. And women's professional teams play these teams and u21's too and from memory it's close.. don't think in my lifetime they'll ever get close to the standard of the men's game. But then again they're not men and are physically different so perhaps we should just be OK with that and treat it differently.

I remember going to the women's champions league final at craven cottage in 2012 I think... more like a party atmosphere - people went for the novelty, like they would the rugby 7s. Obviously not everyone.. but there are similar vibes.

It's got a long way to go still.

[ALG01]

One thing to bear in mind.
The men by and large are better players, bigger, more athletic etc.
The men's game has also become predictable sterile and losty much of its edge.
The characters are few and far between, cheating is allowed, the refs are less thean full of integrity, money rules and the fans are treated with contempt.
The ladies game is recognisably football that is played with classic emotion and there in fact characters throughout the game.
Do I prefer to watch the men, of course. But I really enjoy the women's game and lament what it has that we have lost. The critics here are missing a real treat.

[toshes mate]

I watched all the quarter finals and thought the standard of play in the Sweden v. Germany game was excellent.  It was also a closely contested game and we know they tend to be the more satisfying in terms of being engrossing.  I will not be making comparisons with the men's game other than in terms of entertainment and staying power.  When I am 'forced' to watch a game for ninety minutes plus because I cannot take my eyes off it, then I know I am getting value.  It was a really hot day yesterday and yet Sweden and Germany conspired to produce a thriller.  That says it all for me. 

[OtherHodgson]

Those who think the top womens teams are at or below pub team level might think differently if they played with some of the top women players.  When USWNT legend Joy Fawcett retired after the Greece Olympics she and her husband formed a co-ed team in Newport Beach, CA and I played on it for 6-7 years. Most of guys and women on the team and in the league had played at a decent level (e.g. College D-1) but her touch, vision, and overall technical skills were at another level save for when we had other US internationals play for us like Thomas Dooley.

And they don't shy from the physical part of the game. Shannon Boxx played for us a few times while she was still playing for the US and she was a beast. Flattened two guys in the first 5 min of the match and had the other team complaining.  She was bigger than me with a very solid build. For reference I'm a little bigger than AK47 (met him at McBrides).

No it's not the same as the men's game but I think the average person on this board would be surprised how good and how physical the very best women players are.

[Fulham1959]

There were 2 storming headed goals by Holland in yesterday's match.  Even a good male goalkeeper would have struggled to save them.

[JoelH5]

Who cares how good the quality is? As long as the games are competitive it provides an enjoyable watch. I do prefer mens football but one thing I have found refreshing in the womens game is the lack of egos.

[Dr Quinzel]

Who cares how good the quality is? As long as the games are competitive it provides an enjoyable watch. I do prefer mens football but one thing I have found refreshing in the womens game is the lack of egos.

We play the US team Tuesday, so you'll see a few then!

[YankeeJim]

Who cares how good the quality is? As long as the games are competitive it provides an enjoyable watch. I do prefer mens football but one thing I have found refreshing in the womens game is the lack of egos.

We play the US team Tuesday, so you'll see a few then!

Why have you been savings your egos? I'd thought you lot would play all your players.  :022:

[Russianrob]

Not sure how relevant the actual sport is in relation to patriotism.The English will support England even if it were Tiddlywinks.However the Welsh and sweaties will be wanting a USA win!

[Fulham1959]

What about drat-nurdling - we English have never been beaten !

[Dr Quinzel]

For those interested, GIANT is a Podcast available on Spotify and they've just done a feature with 7 women who have played across 7 different ladies tournaments down the years. It features their stories and the progression of the women's game. Worth an hour of your time.

[sacffc]

What about drat-nurdling - we English have never been beaten !

I must admit that I have no idea what drat-nurdling is, or even if it's a real thing.  I am, nonetheless, excited about the possibilities.  Instead of just some random guy, I could by the USA Drat-nurdling champion.  The fame ... the fortune ... it's all within reach now!  It'd be like Eddie the Eagle all over again.

First, of course, I'll need to contact the International Drat-nurdling Federation, to find out the official rules and what requirements I'll have to meet.  At the moment, I have no idea where I would find them.  I'm sure I'll be back to you for further information.   :005:

[Woolly Mammoth]

Not sure how relevant the actual sport is in relation to patriotism.The English will support England even if it were Tiddlywinks.However the Welsh and sweaties will be wanting a USA win!

Who cares what the welsh and sweaties think, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 are in the semis, whereas they are nowhere as usual.

[Andy S]

I think the standard is very good. There aren't enough levels to-develop yet. It will be ever better