Women’s soccer grows all over the world and Euro 2017 is from many points of view a historic moment for the whole movement. The moment when teams’ competitiveness has come to a higher level.
To be credible and attractive, a sport needs multiple interpreters able to compete in order to win. Germany’s seven consecutive successes in the European Union certainly do not help. But this year something unexpected happened, something great that cannot be mentioned as a random event. All in a truly incredible audience setting for a female soccer event.
In the quarter finals of the tournament, which is taking place in the Netherlands, three of the top 4 teams of the ranking were eliminated. The fifth (Norway) was eliminated in the group stage.
Germany, World No. 2, was defeated in the quarter-finals by Denmark (2-1) in a match that was postponed due to heavy rain and re-played on Sunday morning.
Even France (World No. 3) passed the group behind Austria (European No. 14 and World No. 24) who qualified as first, left the Netherlands heads down losing 1-0 against England (the third best team of the tournament).
The Netherlands, qualified in a group that saw the premature elimination of Norway, (three-time finalists in the last 20 years) surprisingly defeated Sweden (World No. 9) by 2-0. Austria, the authentic revelation of the tournament, defeated Spain at the penalties.
Italy didn’t pass the group stage. A team with evident technical limits even if Cabrini’s girls defeated Sweden. The Azzurre were defeated by Russia (this was a pivotal moment in the tournament) and Germany.
This is the first time that Italy (finalist in 1993 and 1997) is not included in the eight best European teams. However, comparing this result in light of the higher level of competition it is not dramatically negative.
In reference to the Italian women’s league, recently won by Fiorentina, Juventus will be included starting from the next year. The Bianconere will be coached by the former Under-17 trainer Rita Guarino who signed several great players such as Bonansea, Gama, Salvai, and Rosucci.
In the next few years, the male clubs’ interest will rise for sure. Hopefully, if the entire movement rises, more investments will be made and possibly great foreign players from the USA or Brazil will join our league.
On Monday, the world football players’ union will focus on the situation of the women’s movement around the world in a conference organized in Amsterdam.