Women's Football - European Championships starting Wed 6/7

[BellaAmorosa]

Anyone else excited about the women's euros? I'd love to follow the progress of the teams (especially England) with any football-supporting Mumsnetters. Thrilled that it's a home tournament, commiserations to Scotland and Wales for not making it through qualification. Huge congratulations to NI, qualifying for the very first time.

Doesn't have to be just match-related, either - comments on the background to each women's team (especially from non-British fans), and of course the kits all welcomed.

Here is a link to the bbc Women's Euros page.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/womens-european-championship

Well, yes, but the men’s team are competing against other teams who’ve had similar sums of money thrown at them.

Just enjoy this win on its own merit, comparing it to the men’s team is meaningless.

Indeed, girls fighting for pitch space, girls fighting for games, kit, acceptance, girls lining up on a Sunday morning, it's not just dreams it is possibility!

I agree the men did well, last time was a hard game

Let’s enjoy this as a separate amazing thing

🏅

DD just asked me why I'm crying! I'm not even a football fan and I don't understand most of the rules, but this was so emotional. Especially the commentators talking about how hard women have had it getting into professional football. So delighted to have watched this, DH is just as thrilled as I am. Beautiful game and amazing team.

Woooooooo fantastic. So proud of them, an amazing moment xxxxx so chuffed

Good point Alec

AMAZING!

Well said Alex Scott

I will enjoy it in the way I choose!

Ragz I'm weeping. I love sport but it is what those that came before them had to do that makes this win bigger than the sum of its parts. It is good to say it is the beautiful game again

Excellent speech Alex Scott.
Not good enough to play at major stadiums, yet brings in a record crowd to win in what is regarded as the most prestigious football stadium in the world.

Sorry Alex not Alec

Bang on.

The BBC can start with producing a proper Match of the Day style show to replace that dire show they have now on Sunday nights.

Well said Ian Wright as well

It was a great speech, but the problem (until now) has remained a lack of fan interest necessary to fill stadiums consistently.

I hope everyone who enjoyed watching the Lionessess, but doesn’t generally go to games, will consider going to watch some Women’s Super League games next season.

Yes, well done Ian Wright. These VIP types need to be in it for the long haul, not just the occasional bit of proxy glory.

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.” – Nelson Mandela

But this can be solved. Offer free children's tickets, offer tickets to schools, build the fan base from the bottom up.

My son has had women footballers on his wall since MOTD started printing posters, we need children to grow up thinking it has always been

type - euro 2021 women's

into google

There is absolutely a place for initiatives like that, but I don’t think that’s a consistent way to fill stadiums, week in week out, over the course of a league season (though of course, long term it would help by creating new fans).

I just think it would be good if more people (particularly women and girls) would consider paying to go to a WSL game or two next season.

And a reminder that you can watch all the women's matches on the free FAplayer app or website.

BBC and Sky are also showing live matches

Who are this random male band closing the programme?

Doesn't need to be long term. You need to get bums on seats, realise they enjoy it and then they are happy to pay. People support what they know.