The Good, The Bad and Germany ...Englands Final Step on their Road to Germany 2011

While I am writing this Blog I think about the last year that has passed in light speed. I still remember me sitting at home (thats Germany) in front of the TV watching the EURO2009 Final (thats was GER-ENG) and getting textmessages from my friends to tease me after every german goal. (we all know how that game ended )
Shortly after that, the World Cup Qualifying started and England has been on their Road to my home WC in Germany 2011. It has been a loooooooooooong 11 months with a lot of games. Games which had to be followed staring at a matchtracker or relying on txt/tweets from my english friends at the stands. Games for those I travelled around Europe (total miles 4895). Exitement, Agonies, Pleasure and Happiness...Ups and Downs during all those games which I shared with all the people I met during the Qualifying and I found some wonderful new friends in those 11 months..... finally knowing that mostly all of them and MY TEAM will come to Germany next year. All right...no need to get toooo weepy emotional now :0)
cos before that...there were another road trip and some more exiting, nail-biting, hair-pulling (no not that hairpulling someone was accused to have...) 90 min!

The day started very early for me with my return to work after one week off due to my shoulder injury. 5h work can be never ending and although I did try my best to work at work well..... (Hello Boss oh really you are reading my Blog..ooops)
After those 5h "work" I rushed out and had a little snack for lunch, jumped into my car and wroooom off to Switzerland. Central South Germany to Switzerland, especially Wohlen the venue, usually takes about 4h. But again there were lots of contruction work on the road (well not as much as on my way to Austria) and I had a delay at the Swiss Border. Yes there is still a real Germany-Switzerland Border with immigration officers, where you stop and they look at your passport, look in your car and ask you "Where are you going and what are you doing there?" I answered honestly ..HUGE MISTAKE!!! He started to talk about the Womens National Team -well the Swiss one that was- and that they lost the first leg in England 0-2 and and and.... HOW COULD IT BE,THAT I GET PROBABLY THE ONLY IMMEGRATION OFFICER WHO IS ACTUALLY INFORMED OR INTERESTED IN WOMENS FOOTBALL???
well after a longer chat and CHF40 for a toll sticker (only to use the Swiss Motorway for about 3 hours!?) I was finally released and back on the road to Wohlen.
As soon as I arrived in Wohlen and drove into the town I saw a sign for the stadium and ...already was there- 2h before Kick Off...got a wonderful parking lot (which later was VIP only) , changed from my working "dress" -not a real dress just the working outfit :) into my Fan Outfit and walked into the town to the main station to catch up with the other England Fans. After a huge "hello" some hugging and chatting full of our exitement and predictions, we all went to the stadium. At the gate we got our cards from Rachel from theFA, saw some of theFA executives (Linda got a pic with Sir Trevor!) and realized that Mike has his 50th cap!! (Congratulations again)
We went into the stands, got ourselves good seats and put up some flags- besides one special flag, which I kept in my bag til after the 90 minute!
Oh one more funny situation happened at the pay kiosk where we got our programms..the man behind the window smiled at me and said "hey look" and lifted his shirt to show me.........that he did wear an england shirt underneath! He put his finger on his mouth with a big grin and said "SHHH" Guess how suprised we all were, not only of his shirt-lifting.. LOL
At the stands we tried to get thru this waiting period for kick off while the Girls soon started warming up. My usual photo shooting routine was disturbed by my shaking hands...I just couldnt calm down. More and more swiss supporters came into the Stadium...and the few of us with england shirts and flags were like an island inbetween them.
Finally the teams came out, national anthems and Kick OFF!! 90min only (hopefully) before going to Germany 2011. Linda started banging the drum and Mike with the "We love you england.." singing,answered from the Swiss Supporter with their "Hopp Schwyz" The England ladies started and at the 9th minute a great run into the Box from Kelly (Smith) could only be stopped with a foul- Penalty!
Kelly took the Ball and put it on the spot, got ready....
Brunner the Swiss GK stood on the line, got ready...
and nothing happened cos the Referee had to discuss with the Swiss no.10 (oh yeah that one) and an england player at the box line! It took like ages until she finally blew the whistle for the PK, Kelly with a sharp shot to the right low corner and.....missed! We were shocked and immediately knew who to blame- the Referee of course. Oh we didnt know at this time that we would have much more to complain about that Referee and her decisions later!
The Team was a bit nervous after the missed PK but shortly got back to confidence and finally at the 32min a pass from Alex (Scott) got to Kelly directly in front of the swiss goal and she scored!! 1-0 ENGLAND what a relief...also for Kelly and with a great Boxing Celebration (Pic thanks to JamesPrickett)
she showed how happy she was! just 2 min later another great attacking from England and a brilliant pass from Kelly to Eni (Aluko) with a great finish 2-0 ENGLAND!!!!
We jumped up and down and cheered and calculated...that means 4-0 now with 2 important away goals...Switzerland had to score 5 goals to get at least into extra time! Oh we were soo happy but then.....everything became muddled!
Fara (Williams) pass to Stoney got caught up by speedy Bachmann / the Swiss no10 and she did score the 1-2. The Swiss Supporters cheered, we were shocked (again) and looked at the clock- 41 min..when I saw that Bachmann was in Brownies Goal and suddenly dropped like dead holding her face. The Referee walks to Brownie, not sure, discussing and puts her hand on her back pocket..what?? that would mean a RED! ???Still she discussed with Brownie and....showed the RED CARD whilst Bachmann was still lying on the ground holding her face (well to probably hide her big grin)
A RED TO BROWN?? FOR WHAT?? Actually noone of us , neither the Swiss surrounding us did see what happened and we were all just in shock! Than my innerhopesolo or for those who are not living in twitterworld :O) all my anger burst out and without really realizing it I started yelling at Bachmann in German! OH I WAS SO ANGRY, so disappointed of her! I screamed, I cursed, I yelled at her...to be honest I was so fuming that I dont really know what I did say! I was in Shock! Bachmann showed the whole game an unexactable behavior-from min 5 on, when she pushed Yankey at the side line and after a little "talk" complained about Yanks at the Ref....she fell down everytime the english defence blocked her and she lost the ball-unfortunately the Referee did give her the free-kick everytime! (so much about the poor ref decision)
Actually that Referee was never in control of the Game!
Since the Sub GK (Chamberlain) had to come in, Aluko was subbed and the next 4 min til halftime it seems as if ALL players were in some kind of shock.

At half time we all discussed about what happened there and relying on text messages from our friends back in England, who saw the game at TV, we tried to figure out for what Brown got the Red Card. Never ever did Rachel Brown hit Bachmann in the face-that was the opinion we all had! Would the team swallow that and come back after this shock? Questions over Questions...not answered til after the match- we all know now that it was an oscar worth play-acting!

Second half begun and we tried our best to push the Team by cheering, chanting, singing,drumming...and oh what amazing attitude this team showed! They fighted and 5min after KO second half another great run from Kelly again couldnt be stopped without a foul (a card worth one) in the Swiss Box- Another Penalty!
This Time Fara stepped up and scored! 3-1 ENGLAND!! OH what joy!! We cheered and jumped! but still we knew it wasnt over yet! although it was already 5-1 aggregate and I wonder if the Swiss could beat that in the short rest of time, we were still anxious. This got even worse when the Swiss scored (to be honest) a cracker goal in the 65min from a free kick. 3-2 England now...that was 5-2 aggregate. 25min to go and I still cant tell how those last 25min passed! A lot of subs were made on both sides and Jess Clarke and Ellen "Goalmachine" White for England on the pitch now-Yankey and Kelly out. Suddenly the forth offical announced 3 min add. time
3 more minutes......180 seconds until the World Cup!!!
"Blow that Whistle" I yelled or actually whispered?? I dont know really but than she did! it was over!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! ENGLAND IS GOING TO GERMANY 2011!!!
I still cannot describe my feeling at this moment!!! Happiness, Relief ..we all were glowing, cheering, waving!! and the special Flag finally came out
(Again thanks to JamesPrickett)
Some more singing "Que sera, sera what ever will be, will be WE ARE GOING TO GERMANY..." and I called GERMANY - well I called someone in Germany and yelled at the phone" JAAAA WIR HABEN ES GESCHAFFT" (yes we made it) and the others were yelling "HELLO GERMANY!" pure joy!! (well not for the person on the other side of the phone, who told me the next day that she still has a "HELLO GERMANY"-Screaming-Tinnitus...oops)
Endlessly Happy we went out of the stands , waited for the players, congratulate them again, got some authographs, had some little chats and finally waved the Team Bus GOODBYE!!
Talking about the size of my (obviously too) small flat for all the visitors, who will come next year to Germany ,we went back and at the parking lot I hugged my friends, joked and said good-bye with the words I wanted to say absolutely for real already since last year
"SEE YOU IN GERMANY NEXT YEAR"

Englands Road to Germany 2011 World Cup Qualifying

LAST GROUP STAGE QUALIFYING GAME AGAINST AUSTRIA

With the last win against Turkey, England Ladies were already TOP of the Group 5 and "qualified" for the Play-Offs coming in September this year. (Despite what the Stadium Announcer in Austria said BTW..he still had Spain as Group Leaders). So the Game in austria would be not a "real" test but a good occasion to show a great team performance, score some goals and with another 3 Points,get a better position for the Play-Off Draw. At this point I thought about talking of coefficents or such....but I better leave it to the UEFA-if they ever do know and understand their own regulations :)
The Venue was announced as Krems an der Donau , about 50 KM east of Vienna in a Region called Niederösterreich ( please dont make me translate this)...well this region in Austria is well known for a lot of good Womens Football Teams...SV Neulengbach (just to mention one and the best) for example is the Austrian WomensPremierLeague Champion and situated in this Region.

After a long.......a very long..... an unexpected extremly looooong...drive from Germany to Austria I finally arrived at friday late afternoon (already) ..so I walked around this very small town and alongside the Donau-River....The inner city or oldcity ( not downtown but oldtown ) was very small cos I just turned around a corner and suddenly stood right in front of the Stadium!
Well "STADIUM" might not be the decent word for this..it was a stadium yes but very small, old and with wooden seats at the only seated stands :)

Next Day..Saturday...Game Day and it was very hot! 3h before Kick-Off I met up with the rest of the England Supporters ( the No9's of course, The Browns, Linda with the Drum and Emma & Pete) at the typical Biergarten "Brauhof". We chatted a bit and well what can I say...time flies when you are having fun so already 1h left til Kick-off and we walked down to the Stadium. The Browns ( yes Rachel's Parents indeed) organized us 8 supporters a free entry and there were we......amongst all those Austrian Fans..actually a good growd... (Reason for it- before the Womens Qualifying all youth teams of the Region were honoured for there Achievements at the youth leagues)....and we seated us nearly at level of middle-line whilst the Warm-up was already in Progress

An austrian Family equipped with England Jerseys, Caps, Flags -oh wait it was the Union Jack :) asked if they can join us..of course they were very welcome ( still dont know why they root for england but HEY!! feel free to join) and an English Family living 5h southern in Austria completed our supporter group.
It was still boiling hot and some children in traditional clothing showed up and as the teams came out, they acompanied them to the Line-Up
National Anthems....and finally Kick-OFF by the Referee from Finland.

England starting very good and putting on pressure from the first minute on the Austrian Defence. With Kelly Smith ( returning to the Squad as #9) and the winger Karen Carney ( also returning to the Squad), Yanks ( at here 101! Cap ) and Jill Scott ( with the #10 Jersey) some great combinations let the Austrians struggle right from the start.
We were only a small group of supporters but we made a huge noise...ahm actually we were the only one making noise at all :) well maybe the Austrian Fans were just intimdated by our drum-yes Linda and her Drum were giving the Beat!
Countless efforts just missed the target by inches or were called offside ( I am coming back on this later) until in the 30th minute a great combination again and a pass from Yankey to Kelly finished with the 1-0 ENGLAND.....
Just a few minutes later Kelly again with the 2-0...... it couldnt be better! oh well yes we wanted a Hattrick and moments later it nearly happened but Kelly just facing one defender and the goalie passed the ball unselfish to Alex Scott and 3-0 the Director scored!! The Poor Guy behind the Scoreboard had lots of work..yes there was a score board that had to be changed manual by one person :) (did I already mention that it was a small and old stadium? No?)
After 40min suddenly a whistle was blown and both teams headed to the benches-I was wondering if it was halftime and the clock underneath the Scoreboard also had to be changed manual LOL
no-cos of the boiling heat it was a drinking break/time-out! I have never ever witness something like that...well to be honest a great UEFA regulation (this time!)
Shortly after that it really was Halftime and the score was 3-0 ENGLAND!
After the HT break it seemed as if Austria had a little more refreshment although England started with 2 Subs: Fay White out and Sophie Bradley in / Kelly Smith out and Ellen White in. Austria started a bit better and did put some pressure and the first "work" for Rachel Brown to clear a shot to a corner. But all efforts from Austria wasnt enough. Englands Defence was there to clear and another Offside-Time started again...Ellen White scored a goal what obviously was disallowed cos offside, but well we didnt recognized and celebrated and cheered..OOPS! :) But just a few minutes later she did hit the back of the net again..well we werent sure, is it a goal or not? LINESWOMAN?? a goal yes? yes! YEEESS!!! 4-0 ENGLAND!!! and Ellen's 4Goal in 6Caps for the Senior Team.
Just moments later another goal this time from Fara was called offside. Due to the still boiling heat and after another drinking-break the final minutes were a bit slower and relaxed, when Rachel Yankey had the 5th Goal at her feet but the cross-bar just wouldnt allow it! After 2minutes additional time the Game was over!
England wins the last Group Game with 4-0.... top of the group with 7Wins and 1Draw and 22points into the Play-Offs. Playoff draw will be held at 30th August..and after the game we went back to the "Brauhof" and discussed the other results from the Qualifying and the possible opponent and possible venues for the Home Play-Off Game.
ENGLAND is only 1 Step (2Games) away from the Women's World Cup next Year in GERMANY!
I am sure I am not the only one who cant wait til the
Road to Germany Continues......


SIDEKICKS: 5 THINGS I'VE LEARNED ON MY TRIP TO AUSTRIA
5) Germany's Motorways especially those leading south-east to AUSTRIA and CZ,SLO ... are a hell of construction areas (fortunately there are no venues for next years WWC at this direction!)
4) Austrians DONT speak German!! they do speak OOHH STRIII AAAHN (imagine Arnold Schwarzenecker saying that-same accent at the very similiar to german sounding language)
3) and Austrians are streeeeeching all words cos they have all the time of the world..they are sooooo slow -everyone who ever tried to get the bill from the waitress (another side kick: waitress is called SERVIERKRAFT-means serving women/person), knows of what I am talking....
2) Austrian Football Fans do not sing their national anthem....actually they do not sing/cheer/root at all!
1) Aside of other things not allowed in an austrian stadium ( for ex. all thing you can throw!?) ....LIPSTICK and NAIL VARNISH is not allowed to be taken to the stadium-UNLESS you are a member of a familygroup!!!

Who said that Germans are crazy??

ENGLANDS Road to Germany continues with the World Cup Qualifier Spain-England in Aranda de Duero

This Weekend I was in Madrid,Spain and on saturday in a small city called Aranda de Duero about 2h north from Madrid in the middle of Catalonia.
There was the venue for the Crucial Qualifying Game against Spain on Englands Road to Germany.

England did already win the first leg against Spain in London and was in a very good position, cos even a draw would be enough to still have all the chances to go into the Play-Offs for the WorldCup 2011. And even losing with one goal difference would still not be that worse.....
But we (the Fans) and surely all the players too travelled to Spain for a WIN.

I travelled to Madrid on friday already and with the help from the People of theFA (travelling and arranging for the WomensTeam) I did make it to the Friends and Family Hotel. There I wanted to meet up with the other Fans..especially with the No9's and the TTOs :) for watching the England MEN in their second WC Game in South Africa.
Well I got lost on my way from the airport to the hotel (usually a drive for 10 min -took me 1 1/2 h LOL) and so I missed KO for getting food and....as probably all of you know, I didnt miss much. The England MENs Game was so poor performance that I was even more looking forward to the Ladies Game the next day. Everyone was totally convinced that the Ladies would NOT make it the way the Men did....

I was soooo exited that I already did drive to Aranda early that day and walked around the really beautiful little historical city. When I drove to the stadium it was still 2 1/2H until KO and besides some Spanish Fans from Barcelona!! (yes we tried to have a conversation with my very few spanish words and their non-english knowledge LOL and it was another proof how football is uniting people :D ) and the Security, who obviously found it very funny to tease me as I was the only one wearing an England Shirt :D -noone else was there.

When the Team Bus came and I got my ticket to the Game only 3 England Supporters were at the Stadium whilst more and more Spanish Suppporters showed up. Actually it was a good crowd with officially 2,800 Attendance.


The Team started to warm up and still no sign of the other England Supporters. The bus was late but finally they made it to the Stadium and at least about 30 England Suppporters were there.

Finally Kick Off came-First Half started....and it was as if I had a flashback, well not only me but all the others too...WHY?
Remember the European Championship Qualifying Game against SPAIN??
yes Spain lead 2-0 and England came back and did draw to a 2-2...

Did I already said to much??

Spain was the dominating team...not sure if they were better PLAYING?? or was it just cos Englands Player were really having a bad day?? Crosses and pass were missed. The Ball Control was not there and even players such as Chapman,Kelly Smith or Fay White were like totally not on the Pitch?? Sorry but as a very passionated Supporter (and everyone who knows me, knows that I support this Team with all my heart) that was just CRAP :(

The only one, really worked her heart (and ass) out (off) and had such a tremendous game was the Defender with the Nr. 2 on her Back- yes the Director :)

But even all her efforts couldnt help...Spain scored the First Goal. Halftime Result was 1-0. Still plenty of time to go!

Second Half begun and with a fresh player suddenly England came more and more into the Game. But still the ball and so the Game was just not wanting to be controlled from the England Ladies. At the 67th Minute I got a heartattack! Spain scored the 2-0 !! Suddenly I realized what that would mean... England was Out of any chances for the World Cup in Germany 2011! HEY WAIT! GERMANY..2011.. the World CUP..in MY HOMECOUNTRY..without MY Team?? noway!! noooo!!
I have to admitt that I nearly started crying already..but instead ..I tried to motivate the other Fans and we screamed..shouted...did a verbal fight with some Spanish Fans... (England..Espana..England..Espana.... LOL) and yes yes a cross from Unitt turned into a dangerous shot and went over the Spanish GK....
Espana 2 ENGLAND 1 !!!


We did it... that goal was soooo important! And suddenly it worked... with another Substitution the England Ladies came more and more into the Game (Finally)
The few Fans on the Stands were clapping,screaming ..losing their voice :O)
I was already cheering (like the poor guy from Chile (at the WC in SA), when he thought he had scored a goal but was called offside) after a Header from Jill Scott..but a Spanish defender cleared that ball on the line.
Only 2 Minutes to go and England were now more and more looking forward to the Equalizer... a cross came and FAY WHITE scored!!!
Espana 2 ENGLAND 2
WHAT A COMEBACK. I still cant describe in any language how happy I was about that Goal.

After a looooooooong additional Time of 3 Minutes...finally the Whistle was blown!
Spain 2 ENGLAND 2 the Final Score! A draw! 1 point... and another Step for England on their Way to Germany2011

I was never so happy about a draw than this Day! Thank you Girls...but next Time please just do it the easy way :)

Only one more Win against Turkey in July or Austria in August and England Ladies are as the Group Winner in the Play Offs!! ..still on the Road to Germany2011 :)

Englands Road to Germany 2011 World Cup Qualifiying

England - Spain 01. April 2010

It was the 1st Aril and -no April Joke the Sun was out just for this (so far) most important Game at the WWCQ for England. All day it was bright sunshine and I walked around London- restless, anxious and exited....just as if I would have to play that night myself :)
A big question was still if Kelly (Smith) could be returning to the Squad and how good her knee has recovered at the days of rest.
Since I couldnt stay at one place for long anyway I started my long travel from North East London to Milwall very early.
Well..PT in London is sometimes a mess (to say it in plain english) especially at rush hour and so the train was fully packed with lots of people and also some England Football Fans! Seeing those Fans raised my exitement even more! Arrived at the Station near the Ground I recognized a familiar face - it was the lovely Lady from the Arsenal Ladies, wo gave me (and Sylvain) the VIP Tickets in Duisburg ( see the Blog about the CL Game ALFC :) )
She was surprised to see me (the German) over here and that I came to England for those two Qualifiying Games....well probably I reinforced the impression some people might have about those "Crazy Germans" LOL
Just arrived at the Ground it was perfect timing cos my two Brighton Friends has also just arrived and we went into the place called "Cafe" (well the German I am was a bit confused cos we are used to something else with this name ..LOL ) and we had some tea, what was necessary cos- what can I say, just as the time of kick off came closer, the sun disappeared and dark clouds, lightening!!!! and chilly wind came up!
My exitement crew from minute to minute and so I went to the stands for my usual pre-match routine...oh yes FANS also have such a routine :) ...putting on my lucky-winning shirt #10 and taking lots of warm-up pictures!
The Moment I walked down the stairs to my seat I saw the REAL #10 warming up-YES Kelly returning to the Squad.
and seeing her...running, stretching and finally "caressing" the Ball :) gave me a more relaxed feeling


Soon the Evertonians (who were sitting with me or I with them ) and Rach ( well she is a Brum Fan-sorry Rach again, I didnt know that!! ) arrived...and a few rows behind us a handful spanish supporters took a seat- I'm coming back on them later!

Line Up of the Teams............National Anthems.............and finally KICK OFF!!

Alex (Scott) back in #2

Brownie back in Goal and of course Kelly back in Action!
England was starting very well,putting pressure at the spanish defence right from the start...although I had a little breathtaking moment cos Kelly was limping right after her first contact by blocking a hard ball from the Spanish Defender.
The Three Lionesses started on fire- knowing about the importance of this game and it was Katie Chapmen, who took a cross from Jess Clarke and scored a terrific half-volley goal!!
1-0 ENGLAND.........things couldnt start better!
Spain got slowly into the game and tried their best to put on some pressure but their best performing player this half - #10 ( seems as if this is the MAGIC number)was totally controlled by Fay (White) and Stoney

Oh..lets come back to the few spanish supporters at this point...as I said there were only a handful sitting behind us, but those 7-9 people did some incredible singing and chanting as if it would have been 200 of them :) I already complainted about that "SINGING Problem" and WE-the England Supporters have to increase our "cheerleading" until 2011 :)

Finally half time came and I realized that it was getting really cold. So one of my Brighton Friends and I went into the warm behind the stands to get a tea from the shop and we waited..........and waited...............and waited........nothing moved!
"just a little unorganized" was my cynical comment while we stood there like forever in this immobile queue....when we heard the sound of the drum, the clapping and cheering- well second half had begun!
I got highly nervous and obviously impatient and THANKS TO SAM :) (again) she did send me back ( it has an advantage to come all the way from Germany for the Games...)
I ran back to my seat and I saw...well I didnt miss anything! ( btw Sam came about another 10-15minutes later with a lovely warm tea)
Meanwhile a few changes have been made on both sides...Kelly was subbed and Jill Scott in, later Ellen White and Sue Smith came on. Spain also made a few changes and subbed some offensive players. This was the point at the game when I started to loose my voice due to screaming! One of the subbed in spanish players -a tiny speedy Girl (nick-) named MESSI :O) was really causing trouble at the english defence. Spain now putting on more and more pressure as the clock was ticking down and a danger shot was saved by incredible Brownie! "We need another goal" I was mumbling to myself but spain kept on pushing towards the english box and one of the few chances England had in second half was a long range shot from Fara Williams, missed the goal just for an inch!
Spain knew that they at least had to draw here to stay in the Race to Germany 2011 (only the group leaders are going directly to the Play offs!)

The Forth Offical announced 4 minutes of additional/extra time and the whole spanish bench nearly stood at the pitch (so why was it me the Millwall Steward kept looking at and saying "no invading the pitch"?? LOL ) and they screamed (as far as I understood with my rusty school spanish) that the Spaniards should all go in the English half and get the Equalizer...whilst I kept on shouting
"Blow that damn WHISTLE"

AND finally she did!!! WHAT A RELIEVE!!!!!
It was over!
We won!
England beat Spain!!
Happiness all over the place and suddenly the front row was crowed with all of my friends standing there waiting for the players to congratulate them and maybe get a signature and have a little chat!

After the Game not only me was still highly enthusiastic..
2 Games - 6 Points Woo hoo!!


So we all stayed outside the ground chatting and brave the cold waiting for the Players to come out .....and waiting was worth it!
I got really wonderful pictures with nearly all of the players and they were all sooo nice :)) - see some of those pics here :)
The Day ended after a looooooong photo session with another long travel back to North East London. Totally exhausted but endlessly happy I finally fell into my bed and did wake up the next day- ILL :) ( sore throat, nearly no voice and a heavy cold)...but this doesnt matter!!
England Ladies are Group Leaders and I am looking forward to the next games...planning a trip to Spain in June to support my favorite team.....
when the Road to Germany 2011 continues!

Englands Road to Germany 2011 World Cup Qualifying

Road to Germany 2011 / Englands World Cup Qualifying Part 2

So after the Rain has finally stopped ( and the cold wind started instead ) second half was underway....
but let me just resume to first half for those who missed the important part :)
well as I said England was the better team and Alex Scott ( who did wear the Nr 7 -to keep the shirt warm for Kaz Carney :O) ) had two great chances unfortunately missed the target...



It could have been already about 3/4 nil for England but also on the other hand it could have been a 1-2 for England (2 for Austria after those 2 terrifying chances the Austrians had)...
Second half begun just as the first half..England did play very well and no surpise that with a amazing cross into the Box from Lianne Sanderson, Aluko made the 2-0

England still putting on pressure and some more chances by Sanderson , Aluko and Williams -just didnt go into the net. on the other side Austria again with a wide-range shot hit the cross-bar.

Ellen White came to her Senior debut..and oh what a debut :)





Coming on at the 62th Minute for Dunia Susi, who also made a fantastic game, she hit the net at the 90th minute after another great cross /assist from Sanderson.

3-0 was the Final Score.. and we could be complaining on highest level by saying "well done, but it could have been more" :O)



MY Player of the Match ( an not only mine!! ) was Lianne Sanderson..offical PoM was E.Aluko (to the suprise of herself it seemed LOL and to all the Fans surrounding me)

It was a great game and also great to meet all those other Fans



next Game will be against Spain and well just winning the Game is all..so the chances that might not have been taken are not interesting anymore
so be there at MILLWALL and Support the England Ladies!

If you cant make it, be sure that there will be another Blog about England Ladies Road to Germany2011 :)

ROAD TO GERMANY 2011 /Englands World Cup Qualifying Part 1

SO after a loong break it was the time for the Next Round of the World Cup 2011 Qualification and England has to face two of the strongest competitors Austria and Spain.

Reason enough for the German :) to travel to England to support England on their way to Germany 2011. After finally theFA decided to announce the Venues like 8 weeks before the Games -all came to LONDON! Never been here before so I was really happy and exited..cant say about what more, beeing in this amazing town or about witnessing LIVE these two games - make a guess :)

So finally the day had come...the First Qualifier would take place at the Lovely QPR Loftus Road :) some of the Fans were meeting up before and it was nice finally meeting them all in PERSON instead of just speaking on Facebook,Twitter and all these new media! Well what should say, we had a blast time and well time flies when you are having fun..so I was never that late for a Game as yesterday :O)

Arriving at the QPR we went to our uncovered seats...no need to mention that it was raining cats and dogs ! and Kick-Off was like immediately!
England had some few changes... Karen Carney and Anita Asante still absent due to their injury (recovery) and OH YEAH ..Kelly Smith was in the stands, cos her knee was causing trouble and the decision was as she said " Looking at the bigger picture!" THE SPAIN GAME



England started very well..although sometimes we were worried about those nb 4 and 14 of Austria... :) well we havent said it to ourselves, Hope Powell was already shouting those numbers ;)



Oh btw... we were standing in the first row so we decided to give some advice to the Austrian Nb 4 to "PULL UP YOUR SOCKS" :) well even in German (Austrians speak German) she didnt respond..

oh and btw chanting.. I HAVE TO COMPLAIN A BIT AT THIS POINT.. when it comes to Chanting and Rooting...the England Fans ( and I am not talking about the Kids cos they ARE doing it!) have to practise a bit more for the WORLD CUP in Germany..
I will try to translate some of the usual Chants singing in the German Stadiums ;)
plenty of time to increase that LOL
no wonder that no one heard me shouting "Come on England"
oh and my Favorite " Bard(sley) for nr 1"

England was the way better team with some nice playing but after the 1-0 in the 16th minute from Sanderson suddenly Austria had two big chances which was saved by Bardsley and the other cannoned off the bar (like this expression thanks to theFa.com match report :)



Halftime was 1-0 and time to get a bit dryer..well I dont know if I was dryer afterwards but a nice tea made it a bit warmer ;)



...to be continued