It is time to say goodbye (UPDATED!)

To one of my favorite athletes, a Woman Michael (Truly) Loves, Louisa Necib.  She is currently playing in the Bronze Medal Match against Canada.  They are scoreless, just beginning the second half.

Ms Necib against Canada in the Bronze Medal Match.  A bientot, Angel!

Team France lost an absolutely heartbreaking Semi versus Japan on Monday.  They did not play the first half with their usual offensive abandon and found themselves two goals down on set pieces, including one which was a goalkeeper howler.  By the time France got back in to the game -- and by this point Necib was completely out of her head, her finest performance ever in a big-time tournament -- two things sealed their fate:  Bussaglia missed the frame on her rightly called penalty and the Japanese goalkeeper stopped Necib's point blank shot later in the run of play.

Japan are a very good team, and they play as a team.  Everyone helps out all over the field and they are so solid and organized that it can make up for whatever they lack in terms of an air game.  The last fifteen minutes of that Semi was the first time I have seen Team Japan rattled like that.

Meanwhile the USWNT's Semi with Canada was an even greater match to watch, though by the end of it, I honestly was rooting for Canada.  Christine Sinclair's performance -- a Hat Trick -- was a sublime blend of grit, power, and beauty.  And, her reaction on the field after the third goal was astonishing to witness.

Christine Sinclair after scoring her third goal in the  London 2012 Women's Football Semis.

It makes it all the more painful for Canada due to the fact that two very controversial calls went against them that might have cost them the match.  There was a very dubious "six second rule" called against the Canadian goalkeeper, which I have never seen called in any football match, men or women's ever, and another subsequent iffy handball called right after the USWNT's indirect free kick in the box.

So, sue me.  I will be rooting for Japan in the final and Team France for the Bronze.  (France is dominating the run of play currently but can not seem to finish.  Both teams are exhausted, too.)








Mwah, ... 





UPDATED:  Team Canada win the Bronze, scoring against the run of play in extra time to beat Team France one nil.

Heartbreak for France.








AH

I saw this delightful little souffle

Last night, streaming on Netflix.  The perfect antidote to Team France losing yesterday, and The Queen of Versailles.

I will expound more on this film, and the thrilling London 2012 Women's Football Semifinals later today, tomorrow, or as soon as I can.









Mwah, ... 

Virginie Ledoyen.  Ooh-la-la, indeed!

What a lovely day!

I am sipping Mariage Freres French Breakfast tea, enjoying a croissant, and watching Team France advance to the London 2012 Women's Football Tournament Semifinals.

Ms Necib likes to wear red nail polish, too.  

Renard, that foxy (h/t to Yvonne S!) centre-back scored another goal, and Necib just keeps getting better and better as the Tournament moves forward.  France beat Sweden today two to one and will face the winner of the Japan/Brazil Quarterfinal later today.  The Semifinals will be on Monday.

The USWNT did not look particularly great today in their two nil victory over the New Zealand Kiwi Football Ferns, and they certainly did not look nearly as good as the French side today, who faced much tougher opposition.

And, Ariel Hsing will be back in action today, too! In the Team Table Tennis event, whatever that is (?).

Congratulations, of course, to Gabby Douglas, winning the All Around last night, and it was good to see Aliya Mustafina win a Bronze. (Even though, the Olympics have screwed that up, too.  She should share Bronze medals with Aly Reisman.  Gymnastics and figure skating always have to have tears and controversy, hunh?)

All my Friday love,







AH








Oops! I was so busy watching Women's Football that I completely missed Ms Hsing today.  The USA were crushed three love in Team Table Tennis by Japan.  Ms Hsing lost her only match.

But, I still love her, anyway.  Now, her and her teammate can go see Les Mis in the West End like they promised to do if they made the team.

She's got a paddle, and she knows how to use it.  

AH

I did not get the result

That I wanted yesterday, though, I am not at all terribly, or even remotely displeased.  It was obvious as the second half began that it would be a matter of time before the USWNT would overwhelm a very good French side.

That is how good the USWNT is.  France is no pushover, and, still, I never felt confident in their chances, even with a two-nil lead after fifteen minutes.

I am a little puzzled why Necib was taken out at halftime.  It is true she had not really done anything in the first half -- except hug her teammates after they had scored goals -- and, perhaps Coach Bruno Bini saw her fitness wanting, or her attitude, body language, whathaveyou.  And, it is true that the French side were clearly outclassed fitness wise as a whole, by a very strong, athletic resilient US team.

The Player of the Match for me was Megan Rapinoe, who nearly single-handedly took over the game at the beginning of the second half.  Her attacks from the right of the penalty box, in a striking and also defensive manner ran the French team absolutely ragged, and help setup the atmosphere and/or the environment for the US team's two decisive goals, if not, actually providing direct service on either of them.

France should still win their next two group games, as should the US.  But, the US team still is having a very tough time protecting leads late, as evidenced by their loss to Japan in the World Cup Final last year, and the fact that a thoroughly exhausted French team had numerous opportunities to equalize yesterday.

It is still the USWNT's tournament to lose, though.  Of course, Japan, Brazil, and Sweden are still lurking, but the US look determined, fit, and insanely powerful.

(I have a new favorite footie crush, too -- and, yup, she is French, mais oui! :  Wendie Renard, the tall, lanky, yet muscular, centre-back for France, who had the absolutely thankless task of dealing with Abby Wambach, one of the greatest players of her generation, and maybe the finest Women's footballer in the air, ever.  Renard hung tough with Ms Wambach, took some knocks, delivered some blows, and I am sure earned the respect of her teammates, and the US side, as well.  Plus, I love her crazy long hair, and her sassy bright red fingernails.)

Wendie Renard. You'll get 'em next time, Sister.  See ya Saturday against North Korea.

Honestly, I think I prefer the elite level Women's International game to the Men's.  It is much more exciting football.  There were three really good football matches yesterday, and tons of goals scored.  The US/France game was a real corker, in particular, and was officiated brilliantly and fairly.

(And, the North Korea/South Korea flag mistake yesterday was extremely embarrassing. Eek.  No more hiccups like that, please, London 2012, ... )


All my love,
Mwah, ... 


London 2012 Women's Football Tourney continues on Saturday.











Ardent