11/05/24
February 21, 2003
Guardian starts a section devoted to women's football.: And begins with a stinging criticism of the the paternalistic approach to women's football in England. Seems that on this point, England has much more to overcome than the US. "When the England squad were out in La Manga we played against Farnborough and matched them for skill and ball control, but they beat us for pace. It's noticeable that that women's football is at it's most popular where there is no male precedent, such as China and the US."
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 01:09 PM - 11 comments
And btw, there's a women's friendly between US and England, May 17, in Birmingham ... Alabama.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:47 PM on February 21, 2003
The truth is, womens football is crap and is of value only as a novelty. I doubt that the best of the womens teams in England would survive even in the Conference League. There was a bit of a stir, not much of one though, in Birmingham, when the mens club disowned the women. The marketing man of the Ladies team asked our chairman what he should say if asked what the ladies connection with Birmingham City was. He was advised to reply that his team had absolutely no connection with Birmingham City. Fulham bankrolled their Ladies team for a couple of seasons but Al Fayed pulled the plug earlier this season. Let em play if they want, just don't expect anyone to take them seriously. It is parks football.
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:10 PM on February 21, 2003
From an American perspective, this makes all the sense in the world. Until recently, the American men had no right playing with the best from Europe, and so had a tiny following. When we found out that even though our Men’s soccer players were sub-par, our Women’s Team kicked ass and had a shot at being the best in the world, of course America fell in love with the Women’s Team. We don’t like Mia Hamm because she’s hot (she almost is, but not quite), we like her because she’s immensely skilled and excels on in international level (this is one of those things that makes us want to chant USA! USA! USA!). If our men were any better a few years ago this would never have happened, though, and I'm sure you'd see the same attitude as you do over in the UK. And as far as making female players wear skimpy kits goes, I had two thoughts: 1) That’s the absolute opposite of class, objectifies women, and completely robs the game of any dignity. 2) I can’t believe Americans didn’t think of it first.
posted by Samsonov14 at 02:24 PM on February 21, 2003
OH MY GOD! I agree with Buddha! But i'll take it a step further and say that ALL women's sports are a fucking joke! Women should spend less time trying to do the same thing as men in the name of equality and start doing what it is they are best at...whatever that is...
posted by StarFucker at 02:40 PM on February 21, 2003
This? Not safe for work, not safe for me if the Mrs see it.
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:44 PM on February 21, 2003
Last year's Womens Under-18 World Cup, held in Edmonton, had some of the most exciting football action I've seen since, well, the World Cup. Granted, I don't watch much football... so what do I know. What I did notice is that there were a lot of Brazil fans (not-surprisingly) and they seemed to take it seriously. I'd say they have male precendent.
posted by mkn at 03:17 PM on February 21, 2003
FB: Thanks for the warning. I almost clicked. I will have to wait until I get home. And the kid and wife are asleep. Hee hee hee. mkn: I went to the Women's World Cup (what year was it? 99? 2000?) semifinal between US and Brazil. The atmosphere was great and the Brazilians, while individually more talented, were playing dirty, clearly frustrated by the US's superior teamplay. The Brazilian fans were out in force, the usual, cheery, noisy, drumbeating selves. I was screaming at the Brazilian defenders at every foul. It was good fun. A momentous occasion, only slightly marred by the game being sold as a two-pack along with a San Jose Earthquakes game that followed immediately after the World Cup semifinal. I didn't stay to watch.
posted by worldcup2002 at 04:59 PM on February 21, 2003
Pay to watch birds play football? Is there beer?
posted by squealy at 06:31 PM on February 21, 2003
hahahah LOL @ Squealy.
posted by Fat Buddha at 07:19 PM on February 21, 2003
My word, FB, I just looked at that link you put up. OK, either we move to Brazil. Or we should just cancel the matches and go straight to the locker room.
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:34 PM on February 21, 2003
Woops. Here's the main report page.