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PODCAST & BLOG - A Women’s Euro 2022 Final Assessment and Predictions for the Final
PODCAST
I sat down with a fellow England fan to discuss the upcoming Women's Euros Final...
BLOG
England have finally booked their spot at the Women’s Euro 2022 Final after beating Sweden 4-0. Alessia Russo’s unbelievable back-heel goal summed up what can only be described as a sensational performance from the Lionesses throughout the whole tournament.
Viewing figures are increasing with every match of the tournament and so is the hope that the nation has for this team. They have won over the nation, now they need to take it to Wembley and win one final time.
This England side have been asked a lot “do you think you are re-writing history?”. Sarina Wiegman answered this questions perfectly after their quarter-final defeat over Spain…every time this England side play they are re-writing history. Every step forward they take, each advancement to the next round, each goal they score – all of that IS a part of the Lionesses history and I have no doubt that it will continue into the final and far after that.
Overview of their tournament
After three consecutive semi-final defeats, England thoroughly deserved their spot in the final this time round. After a night that started of hesitant and shaky, the Lionesses turned it around to make it one people will not be quick to forget. Scarily relentless when they want to be. You can see that from the score lines of their games this tournament. Even before the knock-out stages, England were putting out their best team and scoring numerous goals in games.
Arguably throughout the majority of the tournament, England have not been challenged massively. However, even when they played better sides such as Spain and Sweden where new questions were asked and new challengs were put to them, they rose up and showed exactly what type of team they are. The Lionesses set out to inspire the nation during this tournament, and that is exactly what they have done. Ian Wright commented “if after this tournament, girls cannot go and play football like men, then what are we doing?” and this has been the undercurrent for the Lionesses throughout the Euros.
With this being the first major tournament that the Lionesses have played under Sarina Wiegman, there was definitely the feeling that the team were being watched more closely than usual. However, England have developed into a ruthless team under Wiegman and conceded just one goal in five euro matches. Playing under Wiegman has changed their mentality going into this tournament. Working under a winner has instilled a belief in them that they can also win.
Overview of their semi-final
Going into the semi-final, although England were favourites to win, it was never a case of because we’re favourites to win we definitely will. Sweden are a formidable side when they want to be – they’re ranked second in the world by FIFA, they denied England third place at the 2019 World Cup and they brought Mary Earps into the game with a solid chance in the first 20 seconds of the match.
England started off slightly shaky and it took them a little while to settle into the game. But as soon as they scored their first goal it (as usual) was like the floodgates opened. When this England side score in a game, no matter the level of the game, it instils this fierce confidence in them and gives them a hunger for more.
Beth Mead opened the scoring late in the first half, putting England in the lead at half time. Many might have thought that England would have chosen to sit-deep and defend their lead after this, but Bronze’s early goal into the second half proved otherwise. Bronze endured a tricky game and it was arguably not her best performance as she was challenged defensively and loose in possession at times but the goal highlighted the fact that she only needs one opportunity to make something of them game.
However, the goal that had everybody shaking their head in disbelief and awe was Alessia Russo’s sublime back heel. A goal running away from goal that travelled through both defenders and the goal keepers’ legs to hit the back of the net – not many would have tried it and even fewer would have pulled it off. That moment of brilliance from Russo followed by a Fran Kirby goal to make it 4-0 really summed up England’s performance throughout the tournament – they don’t just think, they do. It was this moment that people started to think that this England side really can do it, they can bring it home.
How I predict they will line-up, tactics for the final
I think that, understandably, it is going to be England’s hardest game yet and whoever scores first is highly likely to win the game. However, a key difference that could work to England’s advantage is that if Germany score first they will almost certainly sit back and defend viciciusoly. However, if England score first, they don’t tend to change their game – yes the defenders will be aware that there is a lead to also defend now, but the attacking players continue to get forward and play attacking football. Not many teams take this approach in big torunaments so I really believe that it can work in England’s favour in trying to increase their lead. On the other hand, England trailed behind Spain in the quarter-final and still managed to come out on top. It is key that the Lionesses block out all of the noise of being at a home final at Wembley and focus. Although, after their performance and demeanour in the semi-final, I have no doubts that they can do this.
I think in terms of substitutions, this has been the crux of England’s game all tournaments. The tactility that goes into the England substitutes is very much focused on changing the pace and structure of the game entirely and confusing the other side. I think that England will (and should) have confidence in the way they have been playing all tournament and so we shouldn’t expect to see an altered line-up. Although our back-line has been exceptional in this tournament, when England take on Germany, it is going to be fundamental to the game. Sarina Wiegman will heavily rely on the stronger more defensive players such as Milly Bright, Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly because Germany are known to try and get their players into tough dules because they think they can win them. Germany also has some excellent strikers in the likes of Alexandra Popp who manipulate defenders and take full advantage of space and errors. This is something that the Lionesses will need to focus on in the final.
The depth of England’s substitutions is a massive positive for the squad, however the question that the country is asking of Sarina Wiegman ahead of tomorrow is ‘will Alessia Russo finally get a start?’. There is no doubt that she deserves to be in the starting line-up, but it would arguably not be the best thing for the team. The substitutes that England have made throughout this tournament have been fundamental to the end result. The impact that the subs have coming off the bench is what gives England an edge in tough competitive games, so goes the age old question… ‘Why fix what isn’t broken?’.
Predicted Line-up: Mary Earps, Millie Bright, Rachel Daly, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Kiera Walsh, Fran Kirby, Ellen White, Lauren Hemp, Beth Mead, Georgia Stanway
Predicted Score: England to win 2 – 1
