England hit Wales for six and France send Netherlands home – Women’s Football Weekly

23:54Faye Carruthers:But what a golden opportunity for England or Sweden if they can get through this quarterfinal. You would then, you know, the winner of this quarterfinal will really, really expect to make it all the way to Basel for the final. Do you think, Tanya, actually it's been good for England to finish second? They avoid Spain. 100%. 100 % when you're looking at the draw. As Tom said, that's as kind a path as you could possibly hope for. So it's a big game, obviously, against Sweden. England-Sweden is going to be a really, really tough one. But whoever progresses from that will be very pleased, I think, to face Norway or Italy next up and avoid Spain on that side of the draw because we all know what form they're in.

24:42They're destructive at the moment. So any chance to avoid that would be welcomed, I think. Who's going through, France or Germany? France for me.

24:53Suzy Wrack:France, yeah. Susie? Oh, France, 100%. I've seen Germany twice. I've been unimpressed. Tom had predicted them to give Spain and England a run for their money in terms of winning the whole thing. Tom, are you sticking by your guns, having seen them?

25:11Faye Carruthers:Perfectly happy to stick by that prediction. At the time, I think it was a very valid thing to say. The form they were in, they lost their captain in the first game, which was a big, big loss for them with Gwynne injured for the rest of the tournament and probably several more weeks and months. What I've been surprised about is how much they've struggled without her. particularly at the back. And they arrived in such a rich vein of form, didn't they? And they still, don't get me wrong, I don't think it's quite 100 % France. I said a minute ago that I think France will get through, but there's still an enormous amount of quality in the Germany team.

25:53Faye Carruthers:It's possible maybe that this tournament has just come a little bit too early for this group. Maybe they'll be more at their peak when the next World Cup comes around. What was striking when they played Sweden was how disorganised they looked at the back. That was a real shock that I don't think any of myself, certainly I did not see coming before the start of the tournament. They were really poor defensively. Yeah, well, we shall see. Thursday is England's game, Saturday for France against Germany. Right, that's it for part one. In part two, we'll have a look at the conclusions of the other three groups as the quarterfinal lineups are confirmed.

26:43Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Right, so we have some catching up to do. So Thursday afternoon saw the conclusion of Group A and with Norway already through, attention was all on Finland, Switzerland for who was going to take second spot. And I tell you what, It more than served up the drama, finishing Finland 1, Switzerland 1. The host knew a draw was all they needed to go through, but Natalia Cuica looked to have broken Swiss hearts when she converted a penalty with just 11 minutes to go. But the 92nd minute is going to be one to remember for the Swiss. Riola Shamali scored to spark special scenes and write her team's name in history as they booked their spot in the quarterfinals for the first time.

27:25It was heart-in-the-mouth stuff, Susie, but an incredible moment for the Swiss. How important was that goal for the nation as a whole who seemed to have been really embracing this tournament?

27:36Suzy Wrack:Yeah, huge. The atmosphere out here has been fantastic. It's the highlight of the tournament really in terms of the way just like local people have embraced it. The fan marches to the Switzerland Games. I think I said it before, that how vocal the crowds are during the Switzerland matches as well. I think it's really impressive given that their highest ever attendance for a women's game prior to this tournament was like 10 ,000. So you've got a whole layer of new fans at these games, like properly engaged. And what better than a really, really late-minute goal to put you through to knockout stages, to take fans on a journey with you?

28:20Suzy Wrack:That's the kind of thing, that heart-in-the-mouth stuff that really brings a country along with you. So, you know, it's not just that they're through. I think it's the manner in which they went through and the fight they showed and front pages with Leo Valti all over them saying she's here, she's there, she's everywhere, that kind of thing. Like, there's just so much love for the team around at the moment. And it's quite magical, really. Like, it's sort of reminiscent of it in England, but I would even say maybe a little bit more supercharged because obviously it's a smaller country, so everything just feels a little bit bigger and a little bit more dominating.

28:58Suzy Wrack:And, you know, every city you go to, there's, you know, lots of presence of the tournament, which, you know, in smaller places, that's easier to make very visible as opposed to, like, trying to make a major tournament scene in London. So, yeah, it's been wonderful. And, yeah, they've really started to take fans on a journey with them, which will probably end, let's be realistic, in the next game. But I mean, what a way to go out against this Spain team as well, as is probably likely. And yeah, it's going to be interesting to see how much the crowd can carry them. Joaldine Rutela earned her third player of the match award in as many games.

29:37Tom, what is it about her that's set this tournament alight?

29:41Faye Carruthers:Oh, so much. The movement, the positioning she's getting in the box, the work rate is so high. I think she's been a real breakthrough star of the tournament in terms of the international stage. I'm a huge fan. Also, really think that Iman Ben-Aid, the new Man City signing who's been playing a right wing back, has impressed in this tournament. She looks a technically gifted player and her and Roy Tuller have stood out as superstars of this team, along with Schurten-Leib as well, coming off the bench at times. but there's a bright future for Switzerland that with so many 18-year-olds in the team, they can capitalise on this and try and kick on to qualify for future tournaments and do well.

30:23Faye Carruthers:I'm sort of with Susie though, I think for all the new fans that they've had for this tournament, this will be the game where the sport sort of comes and breaks their hearts. My gut feeling is they might actually give Spain a real run for their money. I think it could be quite a tight game, quite a close contest, but that ultimately in the end, Spain's quality will come through and that it will be that sort of national moment of crushing heartbreak that might actually help in the long run to engage more people in the sport. Forgive me using a men's sport example, but as a fan base, you sort of fall in love with your heroes when you see them lose.

31:04Faye Carruthers:And I think of Andy Murray crying, for example, in the Wimbledon 2012 final and how much that meant the nation sort of warmed to him. I sort of had this strange vision of the Switzerland fans, you know, crying for their team when they get broadly knocked out by Spain. Maybe it's like a late bit of brilliance from Proteus or some wonder striking extra time from Pina. And that then they might then become more emotionally engaged with the team for the next decade. So that's sort of the blessing in disguise of them having such a difficult quarterfinal. Yeah, similar to the Lionesses. If you want a women's football example, Tom, producer Sophie has reminded us that in 2015, of course, Laura Bassett's own goal in the semifinals.

31:49You know, everybody felt for her, felt for the Lionesses. That's a good reminder of that. A word on Finland, Tanya. Sadly out, but they've impressed at times. Have they given themselves enough to build on as they go into the next major tournament cycle? I think so. I think they've had some really impressive performances, maybe not got necessarily the results that they would have liked, but I think they've shown enough to have a good foundation to move forward with. And they've been really impressive in the group, to be honest. So it's a group that I've kind of been lucky enough to watch a few of the games, obviously, while I was out there over the last sort of week or so.

32:25And they've done really well. They need to build on it now, I think, and continue to move forward. But yeah, for me, the two that have been impressive in that group, Switzerland and Finland, for sure, because I just think they're probably not the ones that, from my point of view, when I went out and was watching, they weren't probably the two that I thought maybe would stand out. And they have in that group. And I think they've been really, really positive, which is great. Yeah, I found it amusing that in the Guardian's Euro pullout, it was Finland who were described as Emmental cheese full of holes.

32:58But actually, it probably should have been attributed to Iceland, who conceded seven goals to Finland's three in the end. Because the other game provided a real goal fest. It finished Norway four, Iceland three. Three wins from three for Norway, Susie, but they had to hold off a really late rally from Iceland. How worried should they be at that lack of cohesiveness they have heading into their quarterfinal against Italy?

33:24Suzy Wrack:Yeah, I think they should be worried about the lack of cohesiveness they've had for the past like decades. It like does not seem to be solving itself. I think like I was saying before this tournament, I thought this would maybe be the moment that, you know, given that they had a really, really kind group draw, that things would start working out for them, that they'd build a little bit of momentum in this group stage. But they've been like pretty unconvincing. and even moving forward, they've got the kind of draw, but I still would say that I maybe prefer Italy going into that game because I just think they've been so inconsistent.

33:59Suzy Wrack:Obviously, defensively, they're not as strong as they are in terms of top-level attacking talent they've got, but at the same time, that attacking talent just isn't clicking and I just don't understand. they're the like Bermuda triangle of women's football. I like just don't understand like that what goes in doesn't come out brilliant. And yeah, it's just, it's a weird anomaly. Yes, without a doubt. You did, however, predict that they were going to finish top, which they did. Prediction correct, as was your prediction that Switzerland finished second. Tom, you went for Switzerland finishing top and Iceland finished second.

34:39you're not um you are replacing myself and susie in the mantle of terrible predictions so far in

34:45Faye Carruthers:this tournament yeah misled by iceland the draw specialist coming into the tournament who barely lost a single game in the last kind of 18 months yeah uh disappointing for iceland um more than happy to be proven wrong by norway winning the group i felt that they would you know come in here and really struggle again, you know, on the form that they'd shown in the previous kind of six months. But they have, for all I agree with Susie about what she said about Norway, they have at least got the job done and they've won the group and they've avoided Spain. So I think there's quite a lot to be pleased about that they have at least avoided the banana skins that have caught Norway out in the last several major times, particularly when you think back to the World Cup when they lost to New Zealand and sort of still got through the group, but were desperately frustrating to watch.

35:38Faye Carruthers:And there are improvements. There's still not quite showing us some of the parts that you would hope to see with the talent in the team that they have. So I agree with Susie that I think Italy have got a fantastic chance in that quarterfinal. Yeah. Next came Group B, which was practically decided ahead of Matchday 3. Barring a little bit of a miracle, Spain already through, at top of the group and Italy therefore knew that they could afford to lose and still qualify barring a Portugal win and a six goal swing away from them. All eyes were on Bern as Italy went toe to toe with Spain and actually Italy have had good form recently against Monsi Tomei's side which we mentioned on the pod but it did finish Italy 1, Spain 3 in the end.

36:27Andrea Sanchin's side enjoyed the perfect start. Elisabetta Olivero put them ahead but Spain hit back just four minutes later through Del Castillo before Patrick Gallaro and Esther Gonzalez made sure of the result in the second half. And the scoreline was convincing in the end, but Italy did make life difficult for Spain. What did you make of the game, Tom?

36:46Faye Carruthers:Oh, a few things that stuck out for me. One was the link-up play between Spain is starting to become some of the best that we've ever seen in this tournament. They're playing with the ball. They look so, so good. It's scary, but at the same time, Italy did expose, again, a few defensive run abilities that we've seen from the Spanish side, particularly when teams go against them with a little bit of pace in transition. We saw it also against Belgium, you know, that Belgium had a bit of joy getting in behind the Spain defence with pace. So I thought the game was great fun, fabulously enjoyable to watch it as a neutral as every Spain game is becoming because the spectacle of seeing these majestically skillful players linking up together so well with the ball is great.

37:41Faye Carruthers:But I think the other teams in the tournament are just seeing a little glimmer of hope that there is a way to score against a Spain team. I think if somebody, a really well coached side, gets their game plan right against Spain, they'll shock them. It could be somebody like Sweden, with all of Gerhard's experience and all that there now. It could be somebody like Serena Wigman, who, of course, beat Spain in February and was beating Spain in June before she swapped and brought all her kids onto the pitch. Or, you know, it could be France. They're the best team in the tournament, Spain, but they are beatable.

38:16Faye Carruthers:I think these games have shown that. Yeah, although they do have Alexia Puteas and we mentioned her the other day she registered her third and fourth assist of the tournament which is seven goal contributions already, Tanya when you consider what happened to her in Euro 2022 how good is it to see her back at her best like this? I think for the neutral it's amazing to watch the quality that she brings onto the pitch and I've had the pleasure of watching Italy live obviously um two of their other the two other group games and they are no slouches they are organized they are structured defensively they're very very good but she sliced through like cheese maybe I don't know if you want to use that term to bring it back to the cheese but um look her quality is a pleasure to watch and I think that consistency that she's found now at that level um you know she's back to her best she's playing with a real smile on her face which is great to see, I suppose, given the heartache and some of the things that she's had to go through.

39:18It's just nice to see her expressing herself. And, you know, it's a pleasure to watch that sort of standard and the way that she brings her teammates into the game. And we've known her quality for a long time, but to see that now consistently every single game, you know, she brings something to life. It's a real pleasure to watch and long may it continue because for the women's game, it's a real privilege and a pleasure to watch her play. Yeah, it certainly is. The other game, Finnish-Portugal 1, Belgium 2, ultimately didn't really matter. Janice Kamen got the late winner in the 96th minute to make sure that Belgium did at least get a win during the tournament.

40:03But it was a disappointing campaign, I think, for both sides, Susie. What do they need to do to rebuild?

40:09Suzy Wrack:Yeah I mean they've both got issues right like obviously Portugal haven't had Kika Nazareth like fit for the past few months so you know she was coming into the tournament off the back of injury obviously Jessica Silva had her issues with her site that you know she was back in time for the tournament but like there's you know key players there that have had issues in the build-up that I think can be disruptive. And then also, in terms of Belgium, a strong side. But I think there's a real gap in the squad in terms of the age of that squad. I feel like there's a lot of very, very young players or a lot of quite old players and not many in the middle.

40:51I mean, when you look at down their list of players,

40:54Suzy Wrack:you know, Filgens is 36, Cayman is 36, Deleuze 32, Van Havermaet 33, Like there's a lot of like older players in that squad mixed with younger players and there's not very many in between. And like, yeah, that balance and that transition, I think, is going to take a little bit of time for those players to sort of be phased out on the newer generation to come through and then be impactful. So I think they're both on a journey to be like really cliched and have been impressing like at times in recent years. But like finding like a level of consistency and building that squad depth and all those kind of things are things that do take time.

41:38Suzy Wrack:And I think, you know, it will come for both. There's investment happening in those countries. There are players coming through that are very talented. And it's yeah, it's just it's not the right time for them yet. Yeah, it's the right time for Tom, though. He's redeeming himself right now because he did predict Spain top Italy second. whereas you and Marva Susie both went for Belgium to finish second but you've given good reasons as to why that did not happen. I was just looking actually at Spain. Gold, only really vulnerable to daylight robbery and there's been no daylight robbery going on has there in this tournament so far.

42:13I'll look ahead to the quarterfinals of both Spain and Italy in a second but let's just round off Group C because that finished on Saturday and in Zurich it was a top of the table clash between Sweden and Germany. Straight shootout. We were expecting an enthralling encounter between two traditional heavyweights of the game but I'm not quite sure we were prepared for all the drama. It finished Sweden 4, Germany 1. Jule Brand capitalising on Germany's fast start but then Sweden hit back. 18-year-old Samilla Holmberg firing her side into the lead and then it was just chaos, wasn't it? Germany's Carlotta Vamser shown a straight red for making a brilliant save to deny Fridolino Rolfo.

42:59Only problem for those of you who don't know what her position is, she is not a goalkeeper. Lina Hurtig came on in the second half and added a fourth. And it was ultimately a result that saw Peter Gerhurtz inside top the group. It was quite the game, Susie. The most fun, I would say. We've had a few fun games in this group stage, but the most fun maybe. And quite the beating for Germany as well, which we didn't expect. What did you make of the performance for both sides?

43:25Suzy Wrack:Yeah, like I said earlier, I think Germany haven't been very convincing in this tournament. I saw them against Denmark and they were very, very fortunate with the decision around their second goal in that game that gave them the win. So watching them play, I've not been very convinced. And the red card was just like staggeringly bad decision making. I mean, like Rachel O'Sullivan, producer Sophie's other half, who's a photographer, was down the other end and saw it and said she thought, oh, wow, that's what a brilliant save. And then she said, hang on a second, Burgess is way over there and realised that it wasn't actually the goalkeeper making the save.

44:04Suzy Wrack:So it was like really, really baffling a move because I think that like completely crippled Germany then and like handed Sweden the game. they just couldn't compete 10 on 11. Yeah, it was just, like you say, utter chaos and a really, really strange decision. And it really hamstrings them for the next game as well against France because Wamsa was the replacement for Julia Gwynne, right back, who is out with an MCL injury now. So they now miss Wamsa too. So who is their third choice right back that's going to slot into that role? And if you're France, you are utterly licking your lips, putting your like incredibly pacey wingers up against them.

44:51Suzy Wrack:So I think they're in real trouble. And yeah, it was like the most bizarre, like on field decision making from a player that I've seen for some time. And also a headache for the coach. You know, Christian Vuk, obviously without the injured Julia Gwynn, exactly as Susie said, Carlotta Vamza is her backup at right back. What does he do, Tanya? It's a conundrum. And I think you could tell at the time when the red card was confirmed, they knew it then. I think you look at the reaction from the bench, you look at the reaction from the player, there was that real moment of, uh-oh, this is not just going to cause chaos now.

45:29this is actually a problem for the next round as well. And I just think they're going to have to reshuffle the pack a little bit because if it's, you know, Baltimore out on that left-hand side for France, you know, you're going to have to put someone that's got a lot of pace, a lot of power, but also some experience out there. So I think they're going to have to reshuffle the pack and think outside the box a little bit and, yeah, maybe sacrifice in other areas somewhere along the line. But it's definitely not something as a coach that you want to have to be considering going into a quarterfinal, that's for sure.

46:02And I just felt like Germany, even after they went a player down, just probably didn't help themselves with their game management either. It was just more chaos and more chaos. They just couldn't kind of, they didn't have leadership to pull that back together and sort of just consolidate. It just seemed like a, you know, in terms of building out, making poor decisions and just, you know, perpetuated the errors over and over again. So it wasn't a good day at the office and it has consequences, obviously, moving forward. And obviously, as a coach, you're then sort of pulling your hair out. And as I said, you could see on the sideline, there was sort of just impact, not just for now, but obviously for the next game.

46:37So we'll see what magic comes out of the box, you know, and what solutions they come up with as a coaching staff. It'll be a really interesting one. Yeah, that was actually, which I hadn't realised, Sweden's first Euros win against Germany at the seventh time of asking Tom. Three wins from three. I'm beating them in 15 now. They are just in incredible form at the minute. What does England have to watch out for in their quarterfinal?

47:02Faye Carruthers:They've got to watch out for Blextenius, 100%. And I think they've got to appreciate that compared to the Dutch and Welsh defending, they're going to be up against a far more cohesive defensive unit as well than what they've been up against in the last couple of games. I thought that the players that maybe are wrongly thought of as heading towards the twilight years of their career are actually really still thriving in very impressive ways, whether that be Aslany, whether that be Jakobsen. It's a team that still have so much quality in this major tournament experience. and they, but having said that, sorry, I don't want to come across like with English bias here, but if you put the 2-11 side by side, you would still, there are very, very few players in a position where you would choose the Swedish player over the English player.

48:01Faye Carruthers:If you lined up the 2-11 side by side, England still technically would have the stronger squad and the stronger team. So they need to go into that with confidence because like for all we've spoken about England and whatever side of the draw they're on. Sweden must be a bit frustrated to have won the group and done all the hard work of beating Germany. And then your reward for winning group winners is to play the defending champions. It feels like they've hit a little bit hard done by with that pathway. I think it will be such a close quarterfinal, but I feel a little bit sorry for Sweden because the way they've played in the groups has kind of deserved a bit more.

48:39Faye Carruthers:If you compare it to Norway, for example, who haven't played particularly well and won the group. Their reward is significantly kinder than what Sweden have been given, if that makes any sense. I hope that the fact that their Swiss mascot is the zip actually helps England out a little bit because described as hugely effective, knows its job, very up and down, lacks rotation, easily comes undone. Fingers crossed in terms of the quarterfinal that that comes to pass. Susie, you were the only one right on this group. Sweden top, Germany second. Marva and Tom had both said that Germany were going to win.

49:17But I just want to talk about Poland because Tom had completely convinced me on Poland. And I did go all out. I don't make predictions now because they're always terrible. So there's absolutely no point whatsoever. But I thought that they were going to hold Germany to a draw in that opening game. But they did get their first ever win in a major tournament. Poland 3, Denmark 2. It was ultimately a dead rubber this game, but it was quite a good game with just pride to play for. And actually, there's a lot of excitement around Polish women's football at the moment, Susie. They hosted the under-19s Euros this summer.

49:53They've got the under-20s World Cup next year and they've got a senior team reaching major tournaments now. So how much do you think they're showing here, although ultimately they didn't progress out of the group, can actually add a bit of impetus to the growth in Poland?

50:06Suzy Wrack:Yeah, it's impressive. And like the performances, you know, really warranted that win. They've played really, really well. They're also one of the interested bidders for the next women's Euros as well. So like they're, you know, they're clearly taking the game very seriously and wanting to see this growth. and I'm sure they're looking at what has been done in Switzerland and the impact that has had on the women's team and on the culture there and thinking that they could have a similar impact were they to win that bid. They're one of five going for it though, so it would be a hard ask to win it.

50:41Suzy Wrack:But they're doing all the right things and hosting the youth tournaments and stuff in the hope of us, I'm sure, setting their stall out. But yeah, I mean, it's lovely to see them get a win. It's great to see Ivo Paior on the score sheet. And yeah, like it's impressive that they've managed to take some points from what is not the easiest group for a newcomer. So the quarterfinals start on Wednesday. Norway against Italy in Geneva, first of all. We haven't actually previewed this one. Who wants to take this? How do you see this going? I think this is probably the hardest, well, no, actually, it's not the hardest quarterfinal to predict.

51:24That's absolute rubbish. They're all pretty hard to predict, apart from Spain, Switzerland, I would say. How do you see this going? Who wants to take it? Tanya, Tom? Yeah, I've seen a lot of both of these teams sort of across the group stages. And I think Italy, I've got a real shout here, to be honest, the way that they play and their structure and the way that they try and disconnect opposition, defensive structures, I think is going to cause Norway all sorts of problems. And also the way that Norway likes to play with the ball, you know, with a higher right back sort of tilting around in a box midfield, it's going to be really, really interesting.

52:00But I think Italy have got enough quality, especially, you know, if Chiarelli's up top, I think she can cause all sorts of problems with the way that they're going to look to exploit Norway. And I think Norway have not found any sort of rhythm at all yet. I hope for Jenna's sake, I want her to do well, the Norway coach, but I just think Italy are going to cause Norway all sorts of problems in this encounter. So it's going to be a really good one, but Italy for me in this quarterfinal. Yes, Sweden, England play on Thursday in Zurich. We've previewed that already. And then on Friday, it's Spain against Switzerland.

52:40And I think we've already all decided that Switzerland's tournament is going to come to an end. You said it was going to be difficult, Tom, though, for Spain. Why do you think so?

52:50Faye Carruthers:I don't think you can underestimate the power of the hosts with the belief that they have. And the fact they've got nothing to lose in this game at all in Bern. They'll have so much support for them. And I think that, you know, while I do agree with everyone, I see Spain going through. I just I think I think it will be a blockbuster night. it's the world champions against the host nation. It's kind of a knockout tie to look forward to. And I think Switzerland will embrace that challenge. They'll play with a bit of freedom. They've got the pace to kind of cause a few problems when they do break.

53:23Faye Carruthers:So the challenge is whether or not they can get organised enough to sit in the deep block and kind of just stop Spain tormenting them at the other end for as long as possible. And the longer they can stay in the game, the longer they'll have a little bit of hope that they could do something special. So, yeah, as I kind of alluded to earlier, I sort of foreseeing this sort of good performance from Switzerland, but ultimately a defeat, which will be the sort of thing that maybe they'll try and build on for the future. Can I also just say what great host they've been as well? If this is where we say goodbye to Switzerland, it's been such a good tournament in terms of the public transport has been exemplary, just the people that have been so helpful and everyone that you've met.

54:07Faye Carruthers:So I really want to tip my hat to Switzerland as good hosts and not just for the games they've been involved in as well. Think about, we just talked about Poland there, Poland, Denmark, 14 ,000 people in Lucerne with an amazing atmosphere for a game that was a dead rubber. That tells you what a good party this whole tournament has been and that's down to the atmosphere that the hosts have set. Yeah, which is really important. But I think it's also important, Susie, before we started recording the pod you mentioned actually how UEFA haven't necessarily been supporting journalists particularly well in the media as a whole in terms of transportation and support within press boxes.

54:51Suzy Wrack:Yeah I mean it's not been ideal like we don't have monitors in the press boxes so we don't see any replays which is a real issue like when you're trying to type and watch at the same time and sort of, you know, pick up on decisions that are being made that could potentially be controversial. And, you know, that's that makes our jobs really difficult. It makes us prone to mistakes that, you know, aren't necessarily our fault. And it's just it just makes it so much that much harder. And then also, you know, just little things. Don't get me wrong. It's a huge, huge privilege to be able to, like, come out and cover a major tournament and, you know, have expenses and things like that that enable you to be able to do it and um you know to be able to go in and watch these players and these matches and write about it is just like such a phenomenal like fun and exhausting thing to do but um you know after games where the last ones leave the stadium there's no at the world cup they always have like shuttle buses for journalists to get back into sort of city centers safely and things like that nothing of the of that out here So, you know, myself and another younger than me, I was going to say young, another young, I'm not young, a female journalist, like standing at a train station at sort of quarter to one in the morning, waiting for one of the last trains back into town.

56:11Suzy Wrack:that's going to take half an hour before we get back into our hotels. We have to split up at the station and walk separately back through the dark city. Like it's just not ideal. Like little things like that, that you're just like, you can see where costs are being cut to make this tournament happen. And this is, these are some of the areas where it's been cut. And it's frustrating because it's really not ideal. But like I say, it's been a huge privilege to cover the tournament and to be out here till the end and stuff as well. So, you know, there's lots to like too. It's still OK to hold organisations to account when things aren't done properly, even though you're enjoying your job and it's a privilege to be there.

56:50It's still important that we get the standards right, for sure. Right, let's update you on the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. In Morocco, we're entering the knockout stages as well. And Nigeria has set up a quarterfinal showdown with Zambia after a goalless draw with Algeria secured them top spot in Group B. that result also sees Algeria progress as well but we'll find out their opponents later on Monday night if you're listening to the pod at the minute we're recording on Monday morning whoever finishes second in Group C either South Africa or Mali that will be elsewhere Botswana came from behind to beat Tunisia 2-1 and boost their chances of going through as one of the two best ranked third place sides while Ghana take on Tanzania with both sides needing to win in order to progress Just more domestic transfer news for you in the WSL as well.

57:42The league looks like it's about to have its first£1 million player, with Arsenal set to pay the record fee for Liverpool's Olivia Smith. Susie, we know what a brilliant young player she is, just 20 years of age, but how much of a statement is this? Firstly from Arsenal, but secondly for women's football in this country.

58:00Suzy Wrack:Oh yeah, it's a huge statement. I mean, I think Arsenal really needed it in that, you know, They've had a fair few reported record bids in recent years for the likes of Marriott, Celestia Russo, that kind of thing, that haven't come off. They've got players on a free. Russo was a free. Caldente was a free. And meanwhile, Chelsea and some of the other clubs around the world are spending big around them. So they sort of needed to have a deal of this nature come off and also to hit the milestone of it being the first million pound player. I think is significant for a club that likes to set the standard and lay down a marker in women's football generally, as we've seen on the pitch for so long.

58:48Suzy Wrack:But yeah, I think brilliant for Arsenal in getting such a young talent, but fantastic business for Liverpool, who turned a£200 ,000 player into a million-pound player in just a couple of seasons. and really hope that that money that they get from this deal goes back into reinvestment in their squad because we've seen a bit of underinvestment in Liverpool in recent years and hope that this will help start a shift there. You can see that there is money in the women's game and it's there for the taking basically if you kind of invest correctly and kind of really go for it. But yeah, brilliant for women's football as well in the country.

59:36Suzy Wrack:It's like a constant arms race at the moment for, you know, kind of setting these records, you know, particularly with the NWSL. The WSL is, I think, rapidly kind of becoming accepted as the fastest growing, if not the best women's league in the world. And, you know, it needs to be kind of having these statement moves to be able to maintain that position. Interested to know Coach's voice on that, Tanya. Well, I interestingly did a Liverpool game. I covered two Liverpool games actually and I said at the time, I was like, there is no way that she is going to stay here because of the level of the performances.

1:00:15So yeah, I think the writing was on the wall. It's good business from Liverpool. You know, obviously spent money, brought her in, put her on the biggest stage and have got return on their investment and some. And I think, you know, as has already been mentioned, just hope that that gets reinvested back into the squad because the squad itself probably needs a revamp, you know, holistically. And hopefully that money will help do that. But yeah, no surprise from a coaching point of view. She set games on fire with her performances. And I think she's a really welcome addition to Arsenal to continue to push, you know, higher and higher.

1:00:52And that squad depth is going to be needed. for them to be able to obviously compete on all fronts and try and win everything available. Yeah, without a doubt. Just another piece of transfer news. Chelsea forward, me official, has signed with Seattle Reign on a contract until 2029. Right, it's been a pleasure. You lot need to get some rest. Tanya's heading back out to Switzerland imminently. Tom and Susie, please rest up. Eat some cheese, Susie. No time for rest. Got to get a train back to Zurich. Oh, dear. Tom, lovely to see you.

1:01:30Faye Carruthers:Lovely to see you, mate. Speak soon. Take care. Tanya, see you on our screen soon, no doubt. Thanks, guys. Safe travels, everyone. Wonderful stuff. We'll be back later on this week to start to review all the quarterfinal action. Just keep having your say. Send in your questions via social media or email us at womensfootballweekly at theguardian.com. And as ever, a reminder to sign up for our bi-weekly women's football newsletter. All you need to do is search Moving the Goalposts, sign up. The Guardian Women's Football Weekly is produced by Sophie Downey and Silas Gray. Music composition was by Laura Iredell.

1:02:03Our executive producer is Sal Ahmad.

1:02:10This is The Guardian.