Thetownend.com

I gather all the games at this tournament are on plastic pitches...if this opening game is anything to go by it doesn't look like a good idea. What is all that black stuff that kicks up with every bounce?

rubber

It isn't. There was legal action bought by the player's union against FIFA, until it was dropped about a year ago, about the women playing on the plastic pitches.

These 3G pitches should not be used for any top matches, and the women are right, the men would not be playing on these pitches at the World Cup.

The ball seems to die when it hits the surface from a long ball, passes along the surface also seem to need some extra welly, seems a shame that the women's game gets used for such experiments

They should scale down women's pitches. Particularly the size of the goals.

I play on 3G pitches for both 5-aside and 11-aside. It's pretty good when it's a bit wet like real grass. But when it's dry it can hold up a bit much. Also, if they put too many of the rubber pellets down it can act like a muddy pitch.

I used to play Monday night 5 a side on 3G pitches and eventually had to jack it in as it got to the stage that it was wrecking my hips and knees to such an extent that I was still limping on Thursday. Not sure whether its coincidence that watching the game last night 80% of the players seemed to be limping at full time!

Is it their bras?
Is it like watching beach volley ball? If so I'll view in.

Some of the older 3Gs can compact and get a bit "impacty" e.g. the 3G at Lydiard Academy's a bit like that, but if you look at the newer surfaces like at Croft or Stratton Leisure Centre, they're a lot more comfortable on the legs/knees. Ball does run differently than on grass though and while they're great surfaces for training on, it's a bit of a joke having a major international tournament on 3G

Not bad....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33049545

Terrible goalkeeping.

I was watching the games last night and the keeping isn't great, however its worth bearing in mind that your average premiership keeper is c.6'4" whilst most of the lasses seem to be c.5' 9"ish - its a a lot easier to keep goal when you have an extra 6"'s (just ask Aaron Moody!)

Eh? I don't understand.

I believe Dion Dublin falls into that category.

Bastard must have my share!

Aaron Moody and his 12ft long length

Ahahaha - this. Google it if you must. NSFW.

Ah OK. It's not that impressive. I don't see what all the fuss is about.

You could hang the week's washing on that thing!

Bit ugly at the business end but all in all a seriously decent wand on the kid

I thought the defender cowering at the thought of a hefty impact caused more alarm. Um Bongo at Wembley?

Probably enough to reach beyond his own polo shirt.  ;)

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I've quite enjoyed the games I've watched. Admittedly not wonderful quality, more like watching my 8 year old play FIFA, but entertaining nonetheless.

The England's women team show more passion and pride than the men's team do.

I'm watching downstairs on Sky, the DNA is watching in his room on terrestrial, he's five seconds ahead of me. The woman commentator on Sky couldn't understand that the penalty was one. It was going towards the goal you silly moo. The Columbian player stopped a goal bound shot, intentional or not, it's a penalty.

Not any worse than Jonathan Pearce's comical attempts to understand goal line technology though is it?

You must of missed the opener v French....woeful.

I bow to your superior knowledge on that particular saga as I have not seen or heard it but probably.

I've tried to get into this, I really have.

Call me sexists but I just don't give a fuck about women's football on TV.

I'm boycotting all FIFA tournaments until Blatter and co are banged up in Guantanamo Bay....along with their sponsors.  You could try it Batch, then you can rise above the sexism jibe  ;)

The women are light years behind in terms of feigning injury and blatant gamespersonship but there have been some great goals and fantastic skills - loved the showboating dribble and cross by the exotically named Lady Andrade for Colombia v England yesterday

 Well done girls....although boycotting FIFA tournaments, it was on in the pub, proper pride and passion in the shirt.

As it's too hot to sleep anyway, going to stay up and watch this. Come on England, would be nice to see what an international final looks like...

me too

me three

Isnt it a semi tonight? (fnarr fnarr)

I'm watching.  Could have been 1 up within 30 seconds.  Goalkeeper was beaten.

Outside the box that.

At least it wasn't a dive. 

Great pen

I am amused by the mass retraction of all the 'isn't the women's World Cup great, there's no diving or anything' statements on Twitter. Soft. Great penalty though.

Neither were pens so justice done

I'm watching too, and it's an hour later than you. And several degrees warmer. Never seen a women's game before. They thump a penalty don't they.

Two good chances.  Should be in front.

Oh well, at least i can go to bed now.

FFS.  20 seconds from the end of added time.  Poor girl, inconsolable.

Oof. That'll be a rough one to get over.

Oops. Sad way to go out.

Should have gone for a left foot clearance.

Fair play to them though , couldn't compete technically so went for the direct and physical approach - bit of a refreshing change.

Painful way to go out.

TBF if there was a polar opposite of a fairytale finish that was it, OG in stoppage time to lose it. She must be sick as a parrot.