Women's Euro: Cupello Blog 4

England v Spain Was probably the most entertaining encounter thus far in the tournament Sarina Wiegman sticking almost stubbornly to het starting line-up and formation. But Spain switched it about and for sure went up a level in performance in a far more prevalent 1-4-3-3 but creating triangles all over the field. We knew they would but they had better possession, better pass rate success and more shots on goal than England

They deployed a marker on Kiera Walsh when out of possession and this stifled England’s attacking play. They sensed an imbalance defensively down our left side and Rachal Daly was given a torrid time by their wide attackers. Fran Kirby could not get into the game and Ellen White who always gives an honest performance could not affect a very tidy back line.

Spain took a deserved lead and despite what has been quoted I do believe we were in danger of going out until the inevitable introduction of Kelly, Russo and Toone resulted in the Toone equaliser minutes from time. That rattled Spain’s flow and they visibly started to play longer passes and take more risks, but extra time beckoned and duly arrived.

The heroin was destined to be Georgia Stanway smashing a long-range effort to make it 2-1 and win the game for her team in the first period. Leading to the Spanish Keeper receiving some naïve remarks regarding her ability all nonsense. All in all, great resilience is the fashionable quote but true in this case and our game changers of the bench proving integral, Greenwoods introduction at Left back I think gave us far more balance in both directions.

So, what will Serena do now, surely some changes are necessary or are we being superstitious and sticking with the formula.

Germany possibly made harder work of it than we thought, but the second goal and time of it destroyed any hope for a resolute Austria side. The concept of playing out from the pack with the CB playing a reverse pass to the GK is something that needs practice as was seen with Popp, popping up in front of the kick and blocking the kick and it flying backwards into the Austrian Goal to seal a 2-0 win.

Sweden v Belgium was a nip and tuck affair with neither side able to impose themselves. But eventually the pre-match favourites broke Belgium hearts to face the home nation in the first semi-final up north, Sheffield on Tuesday where I can see there being a very vociferous capacity crowd.

Finally, France v holders the Netherlands went also almost miraculously to extra time mainly due the for me and ex England GK Mrs Boanas (Pauline Cope) to the Goal keeping performance of the tournament thus far from the Dutch stand in keeper D, van Domselar

Constantly thwarting the French attack ably supported by some last ditch defending particularly by number 3 van der Gragt either would have deserved Player of the Match awards. Renard’s dominance at Corners would surely have reaped rewards against a lesser defensive performance. It was decided in the 102nd minute with an Eve Perisset penalty conversion following foolhardy and rash challenge from the experienced Janssen bringing down the ever-dangerous Diani after another clever forward run into the area.

Will stick to my prediction of an England v Germany final but neither is a forgone conclusion at this stage of what has been a very high level tournament.