Lionesses Euros success amid historic moment for women’s game
Women’s football is in a historic time in the UK.
England’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 opener against Austria saw nearly 70,000 people fill Old Trafford – a record for the Women’s European Championships – while over 4 million tuned in to watch the Lionesses’ 1-0 win.
England reached the quarter-finals of the Euros with a historic 8-0 win over Norway and after beating Spain in the quarter-finals they will face Sweden on Tuesday 26 July in the semis.
Narrative around women’s football changing
As the Lionesses get closer to bringing football home, it’s remarkable to think that just over 100 years ago, women’s football was banned by the FA due to the committee believing it was ‘unsuitable for females’.
But in 2022, women’s football is the UK’s fastest rising sport and big brands and media companies are finally throwing their support behind women’s football. Arsenal’s Kelly Smith was named as one of the 50 most influential footballers of all time – alongside Messi and Pele – it’s clear, that the narrative around women’s football is finally changing.
And it’s not just changing for the professional players but for women and girls across the UK.
In a Metro article – the Euros has inspired 10.5 million women in the UK, who are thinking about joining local teams, according to recent research. A fifth of women aged 16-65 want to get involved in the sport but don’t know where to start.
Euros glory for Lionesses would be major boost for English game
Sir Geoff Hurst believes Euro’s success for England this summer will have a massive impact on the development of the women’s game in the country.
He says a successful Euros campaign will bring about lasting improvement for the women’s game.
“It doesn’t matter how far England go in terms of bringing eyes to the game, but if they won it, that could change the landscape of women’s football in this country for generations to come.”
“It’s fantastic to represent your country in a major tournament,” he told the PA news agency.
“Just those things, playing in a major tournament, in your own country, the chance of playing at Wembley – it is just absolutely fantastic and a huge opportunity and I’m sure the players are going to be terribly excited to be part of that.
“If they can dream that far, it’d be absolutely amazing to have a final at Wembley again and, importantly, I think the tournament itself will attract more young women, young girls to the game, which we’ve seen a gradual improvement over the years.
“It’ll have an unbelievably significant influence on even more young girls wanting to play the game. It’s just absolutely sensational.
“It doesn’t matter how far England go in terms of bringing eyes to the game, but if they won it, that could change the landscape of women’s football in this country for generations to come.”
Coverage of women’s football has been fantastic
Hurst mentions the importance of success trickling down the football pyramid to help those at grassroots levels.
“As much as we would like to see England do well, grassroots football is the important world,” he added.
“Getting them in now and over a period of time would be a major move forwards.
“The coverage of women’s football has been fantastic. I think when games are seen on TV and you see the women’s footballers talking or doing an advert on TV and seeing them becoming well known in their own right and young girls watching that, it’s a such a major influence on them wanting to play the game and get involved in the game.”
The women’s game is certainly having a moment, capturing the attention of football fans and the wider public in a way that hadn’t been seen before.
The Lionesses have been dominating the back pages and playing to primetime TV audiences and packed stadiums. As the women’s players are starting to become household names and England edges closer to lighting the trophy, now is the time for the review into the women’s domestic fame that the government announced in April.
The independent fan‑led review last year was an excellent piece of work that, with the government accepting its recommendations in full, can lead to real, positive change.
A review of the women’s domestic game can also lead to positive change. It presents a chance to address a range of issues that are crucial to women’s football – protecting and empowering those who play it and helping shape the future of women’s football in the UK.
Women’s Euro 2022 semi-finals: Draw, TV schedule, kick-off times, when England plays Sweden and predictions
England will hope to keep dominance as they face Sweden while Germany takes on France in the semis.
Four of Europe’s top six ranked teams are through to the semi-final with England facing Sweden first on Tuesday 26 July and Germany v France the following night – a final taking place on Sunday at Wembley.
Tuesday 26 July, 8pm kick-off, Bramall Lane (BBC One 7.25pm
Euros 2022: England vs Sweden
England breezed through the group stage without conceding a single goal and a goal difference of +14. So far the only real test for the Lionesses has been against Spain in the Quater-finals. Though nearly coming unstuck, England showed off their nerves of steel to claw back a win in the last minutes of the game.
But Wednesday’s game saw long periods where the team lacked any semblance of control, and Spain dominated for much of the game.
Toone’s equaliser was a result of England’s graft whilst Georgia Stanway’s extra-time winner reminded us of the talent in the team. It was an ugly win, but a win nonetheless. No doubt manager Wiegman will be expecting more focused minds for the semis.
The manager’s substitutions appear to be the right call against Spain, and it’ll be interesting to see if she sticks with her starting XI that has remained unchanged throughout the tournament.
Sweden’s route to the semis also flirted with failure in the quarter-final and required a stoppage-time winner to see off Belgium. Like England, they snagged a last-minute win – an ugly game that can only help build confidence in any team.
England have failed to beat Sweden in any of their previous three matches, including the World Cup third-place play-off final in Nice three years ago. With that said, there is little to separate these two teams but home advantage might swing it for England.
WTX SPORT PREDICTS: ENGLAND 1-0 SWEDEN
