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England reach World Cup dividing line as Sarina Wiegman faces crunch decision
England reach World Cup dividing line as Sarina Wiegman faces crunch decision
Sarina Wiegman is one of the best coaches in the world at figuring out a tactical problem, but even she has now wondered whether she got it right against Nigeria. After hours of analysis following the last-16 tie, the thinking has been England should have gone to a back four. It has influenced some of the approach ahead of the quarter-final against Colombia. Wiegman and her staff are expecting a similar game, and another battle. The latter, like with Nigeria, is not to just reductively describe Colombia as a “physical” team - although that is precisely how England have been preparing. Wiegman has also been planning for the fine side the South Americans are, with special attention paid to star forward Linda Caicedo. It is more how England are now into classic tournament football, even if it is far from the historic surge through Euro 2022. While that almost became free-wheeling at times, this has been a slog. Much of that has been down to injuries. Some of it has been down to the ultra-competitive nature of this World Cup, as best illustrated by Colombia’s group-stage defeat of Germany. Wiegman has felt at times that every aspect of this tournament has been a fight, with a new problem seeming to follow every one that is solved. How else to describe Lauren James’ inexplicable decision that got her sent off against Nigeria, when it had seemed like she could seize the entire World Cup. She is considered fortunate to have got off with just two games, although the England squad obviously won’t consider that any kind of reprieve unless they actually make the final. For now, it’s just something else for Wiegman and her staff to figure out; more work. That’s been the theme, especially on the pitch in every match except the win over China. “A lot of it is mentality and a lot of it is resilience,” Beth England said this week. “That’s tournament football. There’s a lot of experienced players in this group and they are used to having to do that. It’s a lot of girls who it’s their first tournament and it’s a fine balance.” “Balance” has been the theme of this week’s work. Wiegman has been trying to figure out the system that retains England’s brilliant defence, but allows them to start creating chances again. That is tough to strike, especially with so many key absences and so many forwards off form. It is potentially putting what got them this far against what might be necessary to go and win the tournament. That such a crunch decision comes at the quarter-final is itself symbolic, since this is generally known in international football as the real dividing line of a tournament. It is when the actual challengers are separated from the surprises, the overachievers and the pretenders. This game encapsulates much of that. England are European champions and clearly one of the most talented squads in the World Cup, with that undercut by a variety of problems as well as, perhaps, questions over whether they could have a more overarching identity. Colombia have meanwhile been tournament revelations. While they should and always have been respected, beating Germany and finishing top of Group H took them to another level. The question - as with Nigeria, and even now in the quarter-finals with the eliminated Japan - is whether they have expended most of their energy or if they actually have more to give. They should be invigorated by how this is an open tournament. The fact they played a day later might be key, mind, because energy is a huge part of this. That’s something else that tournament football comes down to - getting through it. The England players felt exhausted after the Nigeria win, which was “emotionally draining” as much as physically draining. That extra day was seen as vital, though. The players got proper rest, with the tranquil seaside setting of Terrigal greatly helping players to relax and reset. That’s been especially true of the defence, where Alex Greenwood and captain Millie Bright have excelled. The latter has so far put in one of those vintage centre-half campaigns, where it looks like the more immersive nature of a tournament has brought her to deeper levels. She is not just winning everything but giving everything as she does so. This has been key. It has also played on Wiegman’s mind as he seeks that balance. While there has been so much focus on the attack, and the make-up of it, the defence has been rock-solid. The Lionesses have yet to concede a goal form open play. “Some of our defensive work has been fantastic as a whole team,” goalkeeper Mary Earps said. That carries a side an awful long way. While England obviously want to win this in normal time with a properly attacking performance - Earps spoke of how “you’ve seen glimpses of what we’re capable of” - they are ready to go to penalties. That was something that became clear in the Nigeria game, in what has been another theme of England’s campaign. Unable to do what made the Euro 2022 victory, they have so far overcome that with diligence and pragmatism. Some might say too pragmatic. There is an increasing argument that England might be left short because, like the USA, they don’t have the overarching playing identity that Spain, France or Australia have. That feels like it is a discussion that can only really take place if they get to meet any of those sides, though. “The most important thing to note is that we’re winning games,” Earps added. “We’re in a results-business so we’ve earned the right to be here.” They now have to show they can go even further. It might not even be about getting it right. It might be about getting through it. Read More How to watch England vs Colombia: TV channel and start time for Women’s World Cup fixture Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Why Lauren James must be protected, not vilified, after World Cup red Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings? Who and when do England play next? Lionesses route to the World Cup final
2023-08-11 21:15
EU Banks Are Said to Sail Through Early Round of Stress Test
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Many large European banks are emerging from early rounds of a key stress test in robust financial health,
2023-05-24 19:43
Trump accused of ‘witness tampering in real time’ in Georgia election case ahead of expected indictment
Trump accused of ‘witness tampering in real time’ in Georgia election case ahead of expected indictment
Donald Trump has been accused of witness tampering in the Georgia election case where an indictment against the former president is expected this week. “I am reading reports that failed former Lt Governor of Georgia, Jeff Duncan, will be testifying before the Fulton County Grand Jury. He shouldn’t,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday, before doubling down on his baseless claims about election fraud. “I barely know him but he was, right from the beginning of this Witch Hunt, a nasty disaster for those looking into the Election Fraud that took place in Georgia.” Mr Trump was referring to Geoff Duncan, who served as the second in command to Governor Brian Kemp when Mr Trump was attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. “He refused having a Special Session to find out what went on, became very unpopular with Republicans (I refused to endorse him!), and fought the TRUTH all the way. A loser, he went to FNCNN!” Mr Trump added, seemingly in reference to the news networks Fox News and CNN. Mr Duncan appeared on CNN on Monday saying, “I’m going to refrain from any comment with the exception of saying, which was just pointed out, he did misspell my name”. On Monday, the court website for Fulton County, Georgia posted a document seeming to outline several charges against Mr Trump before it was taken down. The document was removed without explanation. The document was dated 14 August and named Mr Trump. The case was cited as “open”. A spokesperson for the District Attorney’s office told Reuters that the news agency’s report “that those charges were filed is inaccurate. Beyond that we cannot comment”. The news agency reported that the document, two pages in length, includes Violation Of The Georgia Rico (Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations) Act, Solicitation Of Violation Of Oath By Public Officer, Conspiracy To Commit False Statements and Writings and Conspiracy To Commit Forgery in the First Degree, in addition to other charges. District Attorney Fani Willis has been investigating Mr Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state and was expected to seek an indictment from a grand jury this week. It would be Mr Trump’s fourth indictment within the span of five months. Former US Attorney Barb McQuade wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that Mr Trump was “witness tampering in real time,” with his statement on Truth Social. MSNBC host Katie Phang added: “This is going to go so very badly for Trump…” Marcus Flowers, a Georgia Democrat, wrote: “He’s trying it! I don’t think it’s going to work well in Atlanta. It ain’t a small town!” Democratic political commentator Bakari Sellers said people “get their bonds denied and revoked for this type of behaviour”. Mr Trump also went on several additional rants against the Georgia grand jury and Ms Willis on Monday as an indictment appeared to be imminent. In one outburst on Monday morning, Mr Trump wrote: “WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL THE FULTON COUNTY GRAND JURY THAT I DID NOT TAMPER WITH THE ELECTION. “THE PEOPLE THAT TAMPERED WITH IT WERE THE ONES THAT RIGGED IT, AND SADLY, PHONEY FANI WILLIS, WHO HAS SHOCKINGLY ALLOWED ATLANTA TO BECOME ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS CITIES ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, HAS NO INTEREST IN SEEING THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF EVIDENCE AVAILABLE, OR FINDING OUT WHO THESE PEOPLE THAT COMMITTED THIS CRIME ARE. “SHE ONLY WANTS TO ‘GET TRUMP.’ I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHOW THIS INFO TO THE G.J.” Read More Trump’s Georgia case presented to grand jury as ex-president may face racketeering charges - latest No matter how many indictments come down, it’s still Donald Trump’s Republican Party 'No Labels' movement says it could offer bipartisan presidential ticket in 2024
2023-08-15 04:07
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Here's when Episode 9 of the final season of 'Succession' comes out on HBO
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Key lawmakers in the government spending fight as a shutdown nears
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With the possibility of a government shutdown just hours away, lawmakers in Congress are scrambling to try to find a way to extend government funding past Saturday's critical midnight deadline.
2023-09-30 19:00
Sarah Silverman sues Meta, OpenAI for copyright infringement
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By Jack Queen Comedian Sarah Silverman and two authors have filed copyright infringement lawsuits against Meta Platforms and
2023-07-10 07:54
OpenAI CEO encourages South Korea to supply chips in AI boom
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By Joyce Lee and Heekyong Yang SEOUL (Reuters) -ChatGPT-maker OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman, who met with South Korean President Yoon
2023-06-09 18:54
Cowboys Fans Fought a Cardinals Fan During Loss in Arizona
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VIDEO: Fan fight in Glendale featuring Cowboys and Cardinals fans.
2023-09-25 10:05
How to change your language on Amazon
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Amazon offers its services in 75 languages across more than 50 countries worldwide. But if
2023-06-23 02:37
Clinton Says Israel, Palestinians Need New Leadership for Peace
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Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said both Israel and the Palestinians need new leadership in order
2023-11-09 11:34
Hunter Biden sues former Trump White House aide over alleged efforts to hack devices
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Attorneys for Hunter Biden have filed a civil lawsuit against former Trump White House aide Garrett Ziegler, alleging illegal hacking in violation of federal computer privacy laws.
2023-09-14 08:33