Some basic comment from the post match press conference…
Hope Powell’s reaction, after the game (please note, this is a quick transcript, not exact quotes verbatim, and so you must take that into account, but we want you to know what the feelings and thoughts of the coach are):
It was a gallant effort by the players, right until the end, but France had too much for us. They were better in all departments. It is bitterly disappointing to go out of a major tournament and we need time to reflect.
We have to recognise there are some good teams here. We were not at our best, we know that, but France and Spain are two very good teams who have progressed a lot in recent years. Our job now is to make sure we keep up with them and don’t get left behind. We struggled in this tournament, we didn’t quite click and it wasn’t good enough.
I have a big job with five teams and I love working in this environment. We have the U-19s next [in August in Wales], then the World Cup qualifiers, and we have to go again. We will take time to reflect. There is no point in saying ‘That’s it – we’ve reached our peak’. It is really important we keep up with the nations that are surging like France and Spain. That shows that women’s football is progressing.
I’m interested in the development of women’s football first and foremost. In 15 years we have made enormous progress.
I think we are surging ahead. We are not dragging behind. We were 11 games unbeaten coming into this tournament, we are ranked fourth in Europe, but we have to look at what other nations are doing and we will do.
I’m in this role at the moment and I have to think about the U-19s and the World Cup qualifiers. It is important we regroup.
(with thanks to Andy Hunter)
SHE KICKS – the online community for women’s football
