I Cant fault them for the work rate, and Im getting into this more than I did when England were at the euro's. What a pity we Cant get England to show the same level of passion as the women's GB team are showing.

I can't believe how much I enjoyed watching them. Bring on the Canadians.

I Cant fault them for the work rate, and Im getting into this more than I did when England were at the euro's. What a pity we Cant get England to show the same level of passion as the women's GB team are showing.

I think that the England's mens perceived failure has very little to do with passion and more to do with lack of technique and tactical awareness.

I think that the England's mens perceived failure has very little to do with passion and more to do with lack of technique and tactical awareness.

That doesn't say a lot for the England squad when the women in the GB squad have to train when they can due to raising families and holding down regular jobs. Id say lack of passion is what these multi millionares are lacking more than anything else.

nicer tits

errrrrrrrrrrrm *gets coat*

I had a bit of a football epiphany watching England in the women's Euro 2012 so have watched as many matches as possibly in the Olympic Women's Football.

Such a joy to see an intelligent, passing game and players playing as a team (more amazing considering the England manager has had to combine 4 national squads in a month to play as GB) rather than overpaid egos in the men's game.

My OH is a convert too and hasn't bothered watching anything past the opening game in the men's tournament.

That doesn't say a lot for the England squad when the women in the GB squad have to train when they can due to raising families and holding down regular jobs. Id say lack of passion is what these multi millionares are lacking more than anything else.

I'd speculate that woman's football and mens football play at a slightly different standard which allows the women to play at a semi pro level and participate on the international stage so successfully.

I'd speculate that woman's football and mens football play at a slightly different standard which allows the women to play at a semi pro level and participate on the international stage so successfully.The women play for love of the game, and the men play for money? That different standard?

The women play for love of the game, and the men play for money? That different standard?

The England men donate their appearance money to charity, so as such they play for nothing. How is that playing for money?

The England men donate their appearance money to charity, so as such they play for nothing. How is that playing for money?I was meaning generally not just during the Olympics. Male footballers today are just mercenaries, going from club to club, country to country, working for which ever club will pay them the most. There's no pride in it.

So whenever they're chosen to play in the England team, they donate their money to charity? I didn't realise that. What charities benefitted from the last debacle?

I was meaning generally not just during the Olympics. Male footballers today are just mercenaries, going from club to club, country to country, working for which ever club will pay them the most. There's no pride in it.

Not every player signs for the team that'll offer them the most money, at the moment the Chinese and the Russians are paying the highest wages, but not many players would consider going there as they realise that it would be suicidal for their career.

Many players join the teams that they believe will give them a greater chance of winning trophies.

So whenever they're chosen to play in the England team, they donate their money to charity? I didn't realise that. What charities benefitted from the last debacle?

It'll be a FA nominated charity.

The mens and womens football cannot be compared to each other, the mens game is dominated in this country at a professional level in one of the worlds top leagues, supported by hundreds of thousands of people week in week out and generating ridiculous amounts of money ..... the womens game is not and probably never will be ..... however well done to the GB women, the women generally are doing well at the games in many events and I hope that continues.

The mens and womens football cannot be compared to each other, the mens game is dominated in this country at a professional level in one of the worlds top leagues, supported by hundreds of thousands of people week in week out and generating ridiculous amounts of money ..... the womens game is not and probably never will be ..... however well done to the GB women, the women generally are doing well at the games in many events and I hope that continues.

You seem to be overlooking the fact that the women's GB team are playing their socks off against players who are pound for pound as technically skilled as they are, which is exactly how it is in the mens premiership league isnt it?, so why cant the two be compared?

nicer tits

errrrrrrrrrrrm *gets coat*

Mel, do you mean the men are nicer tits :):o

You seem to be overlooking the fact that the women's GB team are playing their socks off against players who are pound for pound as technically skilled as they are, which is exactly how it is in the mens premiership league isnt it?, so why cant the two be compared?

Absolutely spot on!

I'm sick of the whole argument that, in the sports where men and women don't already compete together, the womens' performance isn't as good/important just because they couldn't beat the male competitors in the same game - it's a bit daft, like writing off a Flyweight boxer because he couldn't beat a Welterweight instead of giving them due credit.

You seem to be overlooking the fact that the women's GB team are playing their socks off against players who are pound for pound as technically skilled as they are, which is exactly how it is in the mens premiership league isnt it?, so why cant the two be compared?

I'm not overlooking anything and I'm not knocking the efforts of the womens GB team, but you are overlooking the fact that for a professional footballer his livelihood and reputation are made in the Premier league and in international football tournaments and not the Olympics.
I'm saying you can't compare mens and womens football in it's structure not how pleasant they play, with regards to having more heart ..... well in this Olympic tournament that may well be the case for the reasons I stated before !

Absolutely spot on!

I'm sick of the whole argument that, in the sports where men and women don't already compete together, the womens' performance isn't as good/important just because they couldn't beat the male competitors in the same game - it's a bit daft

you think it's daft to point out that a woman who could not beat a man, is not as good as the man?

No dafter than it is to point out that I'm not as good as Michael Phelps. If you won't accept the first statement, you can't accept the second either; you must believe I'm as good a swimmer as he is.

I'm not overlooking anything and I'm not knocking the efforts of the womens GB team, but you are overlooking the fact that for a professional footballer his livelihood and reputation are made in the Premier league and in international football tournaments and not the Olympics.
I'm saying you can't compare mens and womens football in it's structure not how pleasant they play, with regards to having more heart ..... well in this Olympic tournament that may well be the case for the reasons I stated before !

I still fail to see why the two cannot be compared. What does it matter if a man's livelihood and professional reputation is at stake if their club continues paying thier wages regardless of how well they are perfoming? Like I said befofe, I feel this is the reason why some high pfofile premier league footballers lack passion when playing as opposed to the women's GB team who consider it a honour to even be selected and this is why they're giving it their all. I feel that the high pfofile players in the mens game can often loose that fire in their belly that the womens GB team have,probably due to them seeing football as nothing more than a means to an end to provide the flash lifestyles associated with top class footballers.

you think it's daft to point out that a woman who could not beat a man, is not as good as the man?

No dafter than it is to point out that I'm not as good as Michael Phelps. If you won't accept the first statement, you can't accept the second either; you must believe I'm as good a swimmer as he is.

but that argument isnt really addressing the issue at hand is it. It stands to reason that men are generally stronger than women therefore are more likely to beat a woman in sporting events requiring speed and strengh, no one is disputing that. But when you compare the GB womens football team with their female counterparts who are pound for pound equally matched both physically and technically. You cant deny that pound for pound the male athletes who compete against each othr are only facing the same degree of difficulty both physically and technically as female athletes competing against each other.

I still fail to see why the two cannot be compared. What does it matter if a man's livelihood and professional reputation is at stake if their club continues paying thier wages regardless of how well they are perfoming? Like I said befofe, I feel this is the reason why some high pfofile premier league footballers lack passion when playing as opposed to the women's GB team who consider it a honour to even be selected and this is why they're giving it their all. I feel that the high pfofile players in the mens game can often loose that fire in their belly that the womens GB team have,probably due to them seeing football as nothing more than a means to an end to provide the flash lifestyles associated with top class footballers.

You are actually making my point for me, the lack of passion comes from the fact that highly paid professional players make their living and reputation in the Premier League and International tournament football and not the Olympics ..... the girls on the other hand do not get highly paid and the womens game is still barely a shadow of the male professional game in terms of competition. I am sure the men will be enthused to play for GB at the Olympics but will they be gutted if they get knocked out like they would be in a UEFA or FIFA tournament ? No !

I think that the England's mens perceived failure has very little to do with passion and more to do with lack of technique and tactical awareness.

Id say its not so much a lack of passion but a lack of direction and proper leadership. Plus I don't think the England team play enough together it is too miss matched. Certain players still get picked on status or who they play for rather than their ability.

Like this summer the amount of Liverpool players selected was stupid and blatantly Hodgson picking his favourites from his time there.

So its not a lack of passion with England but just a case of other teams being streets ahead of England in the way they play.

So its not a lack of passion with England but just a case of other teams being streets ahead of England in the way they play.

Everyone will have their own opinion, of course, and none of them are provable; but I find it hard to agree with this.

I've seen too many games where we can take on the best teams in the world and dominate them, even take the lead - but once we have the lead we stop playing aggressively, which was the very thing which enabled us to dominate them; instead we sit back and try to hang on to what we already have, encouraging them to come out and take it away from us.

It even happened with Team GB in the opening game against Senegal, so isn't entirely an English thing either.

You are actually making my point for me, the lack of passion comes from the fact that highly paid professional players make their living and reputation in the Premier League and International tournament football and not the Olympics ..... the girls on the other hand do not get highly paid and the womens game is still barely a shadow of the male professional game in terms of competition. I am sure the men will be enthused to play for GB at the Olympics but will they be gutted if they get knocked out like they would be in a UEFA or FIFA tournament ? No !

Do remember the penalty shoot out between England and France? John Hart was actually chuckling to himself when Balitelli put the ball in the back of the net. They then walked off the field together sharing a private joke most probably about a club incident during a chelsea game or perhaps during training or something, so it'd be fair to say that Hart wasn't overly concerned or conscious about his livelihood or professional reputation at that particular moment of mass national upset and annoyance. And why should it matter whether 80,000 people turn out each week to watch them or just 80 people? It seems that you are making my point for me in that these multi millionares are motivated by the financial rewards of the highly lucrative profession not the hunger and passion that got them to where they are.

Do remember the penalty shoot out between England and France?

I think you mean Italy ... which makes no difference to your point, of course, but some of the more ridiculous posters on here will try to argue that you making one silly mistake invalidates your entire position.

I think you mean Italy ... which makes no difference to your point, of course, but some of the more ridiculous posters on here will try to argue that you making one silly mistake invalidates your entire position.

I did mean Italy. Not quite sure why I put france, but as you rightly pointed out, the point I was illustrating still remains a valid one.

Do remember the penalty shoot out between England and France? John Hart was actually chuckling to himself when Balitelli put the ball in the back of the net. They then walked off the field together sharing a private joke most probably about a club incident during a chelsea game or perhaps during training or something, so it'd be fair to say that Hart wasn't overly concerned or conscious about his livelihood or professional reputation at that particular moment of mass national upset and annoyance. And why should it matter whether 80,000 people turn out each week to watch them or just 80 people? It seems that you are making my point for me in that these multi millionares are motivated by the financial rewards of the highly lucrative profession not the hunger and passion that got them to where they are.

John Hart ? You need to study the game of football a little harder mate ;)
Looks like we are disagreeing over making very similar points just different views of it ...... of course the top players at professional level are motivated by financial rewards these days, they have never had it so good, that's why you can't compare the womens game ..... IMHO :thumbsup:

Do remember the penalty shoot out between England and France? John Hart was actually chuckling to himself when Balitelli put the ball in the back of the net. They then walked off the field together sharing a private joke most probably about a club incident during a chelsea game or perhaps during training or something, so it'd be fair to say that Hart wasn't overly concerned or conscious about his livelihood or professional reputation at that particular moment of mass national upset and annoyance. And why should it matter whether 80,000 people turn out each week to watch them or just 80 people? It seems that you are making my point for me in that these multi millionares are motivated by the financial rewards of the highly lucrative profession not the hunger and passion that got them to where they are.

Thought it was Italy (penalty shoot out), Balotelli is Italian, & Joe Hart is the keeper, I know it's trivialities but hey its football

John Hart ? You need to study the game of football a little harder mate ;)
Looks like we are disagreeing over making very similar points just different views of it ...... of course the top players at professional level are motivated by financial rewards these days, they have never had it so good, that's why you can't compare the womens game ..... IMHO :thumbsup:

I don't understand why earning lots of money would make a differance to the level of commitment of a premiership player or why their level of commitment cannot be compared to that of the women's GB team?

Thought it was Italy (penalty shoot out), Balotelli is Italian, & Joe Hart is the keeper, I know it's trivialities but hey its football

It was Italy and it is Joe Hart. I stand corrected. Would you care to contribute to the debate or is your work here done?;)

It was Italy and it is Joe Hart. I stand corrected. Would you care to contribute to the debate or is your work here done?;)

Well being as you ask so nicely, I feel the women do put more effort in (don't watch it), but have seen our shambles of a national team. Years ago playing for your country was an honour, just does not seem it these days.

On another point you made which jogged my memory, I do remember the penalty & Hart was grinning to him like a "Cheshire cat".

TBH I was surprised; I read a lot of your posts, this must have been just a momentary blip (not sarcasm either):)

Did you see the crowd for there last game, very impressive...

Did you see the crowd for there last game, very impressive...

Wot for women, how many?

Wot for women, how many?

70.000 lolol :)

Do remember the penalty shoot out between England and France? John Hart was actually chuckling to himself when Balitelli put the ball in the back of the net. They then walked off the field together sharing a private joke most probably about a club incident during a chelsea game or perhaps during training or something, so it'd be fair to say that Hart wasn't overly concerned or conscious about his livelihood or professional reputation at that particular moment of mass national upset and annoyance. And why should it matter whether 80,000 people turn out each week to watch them or just 80 people? It seems that you are making my point for me in that these multi millionares are motivated by the financial rewards of the highly lucrative profession not the hunger and passion that got them to where they are.

If the players are only interested in money, why aren't more of them interested in moving to Chinese or Russian clubs, who are currently paying the highest wages?

The truth is that the players will only move there at the end of their career after they've won as much as they think they can. So I believe that the players main motivation still remains the glory.

don't know about more heart but they certainly seem to be enjoying themselves which is more than can be said for the men's team. Im also very impressed by the standard, women's football definitely seems to be heading in the right direction

If the players are only interested in money, why aren't more of them interested in moving to Chinese or Russian clubs, who are currently paying the highest wages?

The truth is that the players will only move there at the end of their career after they've won as much as they think they can. So I believe that the players main motivation still remains the glory.

Or can't get another club in Premier, I mean look at Anelka played for Shanghai Shenhua for one game was slagged off by fans; & wanted to come home, mardy arse.

Same as Drogba great talent, but spoilt it by going down like an extra from Platoon, as soon as ANYONE came near him.

Or can't get another club in Premier, I mean look at Anelka played for Shanghai Shenhua for one game was slagged off by fans; & wanted to come home, mardy arse.

Same as Drogba great talent, but spoilt it by going down like an extra from Platoon, as soon as ANYONE came near him.

Both players would have got a team in the premiership, of course Anelka would not have got into one of the top teams, but Drogba would have interested any team in Europe.

Both players would have got a team in the premiership, of course Anelka would not have got into one of the top teams, but Drogba would have interested any team in Europe.

Yes he would; just saying he let himself down with the theatrics, Anelka has been mardy all his career, shame because he's a good player.

Don't know how old you are but I remember Chelsea greats Like Peter Houseman (RIP), Peter Osgood (RIP) Ian Hutchinson, Ron Harris,Peter Bonetti, Jimmy Greaves & so, so many more :)

Don't know how old you are but I remember Chelsea greats Like Peter Houseman (RIP), Peter Osgood (RIP) Ian Hutchinson, Ron Harris,Peter Bonetti, Jimmy Greaves & so, so many more :)

IF they were all such greats, why didn't Chelsea huge pile of trophies in their career, rather than in the last ten years?

A league championship in 1955, and an FA Cup in 1972, is all I can remember offhand.

Yes he would; just saying he let himself down with the theatrics, Anelka has been mardy all his career, shame because he's a good player.

Don't know how old you are but I remember Chelsea greats Like Peter Houseman (RIP), Peter Osgood (RIP) Ian Hutchinson, Ron Harris,Peter Bonetti, Jimmy Greaves & so, so many more :)

I started following them in the 1980s with players like Speedy, Dixon, Nevin, Bumstead, Spackman, Hazard, Durie, Clarke and Dorigo. Not exactly the same standard as today's players but they're just as loved.

If the players are only interested in money, why aren't more of them interested in moving to Chinese or Russian clubs, who are currently paying the highest wages?

The truth is that the players will only move there at the end of their career after they've won as much as they think they can. So I believe that the players main motivation still remains the glory.
I very much doubt that Drogba would have been so eager to leave Chelsea to chase further glory in China if moving to China had been less lucrative than staying where he was. So I still maintain that money is the motivating factor for most if not all footballers, Drogda's move being the perfect example.

I very much doubt that Drogba would have been so eager to leave Chelsea to chase further glory in China if moving to China had been less lucrative than staying where he was. So I still maintain that money is the motivating factor for most if not all footballers, Drogda's move being the perfect example.

Drogba's move is actually a counter-example; he did not leave for China until after he had won a whole bunch of medals, despite the fact that he could have trebled his salary by doing so five years earlier.

IF they were all such greats, why didn't Chelsea huge pile of trophies in their career, rather than in the last ten years?

A league championship in 1955, and an FA Cup in 1972, is all I can remember offhand.

Sorry but they won cup in 70, and so they didn't win much but they were great players none the less, great players are not just counted by trophies you know.

Drogba's move is actually a counter-example; he did not leave for China until after he had won a whole bunch of medals, despite the fact that he could have trebled his salary by doing so five years earlier.

Mind you £200,000 a week helped smooth the pain for him :)

I very much doubt that Drogba would have been so eager to leave Chelsea to chase further glory in China if moving to China had been less lucrative than staying where he was. So I still maintain that money is the motivating factor for most if not all footballers, Drogda's move being the perfect example.

Was Drogba ever that eager to leave Chelsea?

During his time at the Bridge he won everything that he could, it was only when he'd achieved his dreams, and with his advancing years that he decided to move on. He is quoted as saying that he'd probably still be at Chelsea if they didn't win the Champions League.

Talking of Drogba, he donates a serious amount of his wage towards his charitable foundation, so when he negotiates his wage he's actually negotiating how much money his charity will receive per week so it's hard to begrudge him going for one last pay day as a lot of people will see the benefit.

However an example of one player leaving behind the glory for the money, out of tens of thousands is not a good argument for the charge that all footballers being motivated by the money.

However an example of one player leaving behind the glory for the money, out of tens of thousands is not a good argument for the charge that all footballers being motivated by the money.

Particularly when he refused to do so until after achieving all the glory...

Particularly when he refused to do so until after achieving all the glory...

Very true.

I don't understand why earning lots of money would make a differance to the level of commitment of a premiership player or why their level of commitment cannot be compared to that of the women's GB team?

It's all about opinions danot, the op is questioning that the womens GB team played with more heart than the mens GB team, I have given my opinion as to why I would see a potential flaw in comparing their commitment ..... to the men in the GB setup it could possibly feel like they are playing in a 2nd rate tournament ..... and I'm suggesting that for the girls it probably feels like they are playing a more respected tournament in the world of ladies football.
The mens and womens game can't be compared at their respective top levels because the girls do not play for some of the worlds biggest clubs professionally, earning millions of pounds and playing between 30 to 50 games a season over 10 months of the year.

After tonight's debacle it's a toss up. As Gary Lineker said some things never change. What a pathetic penalty from Sturridge.

Watching Sturridge in the latter half of extra time I thought he looked very tired and was surprised to see him step up for the penalty, that hesitation obviously gave the goalkeeper time to judge the kick