Victory tomorrow or not, what wonders our mighty squad of Lionesses accomplish for the nation.
Their incredible achievements have certainly changed sclerotic attitudes towards women’s football.
Former Arsenal star (going to be great TV presenter) Alex Scott recognized this when she commented: ‘It’s hard for me not to get emotional right now because the amount invested in the women’s game is for a moment like this.
“For this team to go to Wembley. . . they create something special and deserve every credit that comes their way.”
While there are, unbelievably, some men who still patronize the women’s game, is there really much of a difference in energy, style and skill?
Victory tomorrow or not, what wonders our mighty squad of Lionesses accomplish for the nation
A male friend with an encyclopedic knowledge of the game described Alessia Russo’s brutal shot to the heel as “a thing of beauty” before adding, “They are doing great things for women’s football and sport in general.”
Here we come to the real, symbolic meaning of our victories over Spain and Sweden, and the incredible excitement of reaching Wembley to face the old enemy, Germany. I would sum it up as a double pride.
The brilliant Lionesses are inspiring role models for new generations of women and girls and they unite us all in a justifiable pride in the old flag of England. These two things are so important.
Have you seen all the cutaway shots of young girls having fun dancing, waving flags, singing Sweet Caroline and cheering to perfection?
Like their big sisters, neighbors, mothers and aunts, they only celebrated one more achievement for the female sex.
It comes at a time when we may soon have our third female prime minister, and when women have had astonishing success in the services and sports as well as the arts. I think the Lionesses have captured the nation’s imagination because they show women that they can strive to be the best.
Like lionesses in the wild, they are icons of ferocious, fit beauty. It’s not just that these footballers can play with verve and skill, they do so with grace. By that I mean no intentional infractions, no histrionics (like rolling around on the floor), no bad mood – all that can make the man game so ugly at times.
Their incredible achievements have certainly changed sclerotic attitudes towards women’s football
Looking like a sharp, uninformed ‘amateur’, I can clearly see a group of females enjoying themselves immensely as equals and cleverly working together – like female lions who, lighter and more agile than the males, do the hunt.
The females work together and switch roles during the hunt to effectively kill the prey. Yes, real lionesses instinctively understand the importance of the teamwork that makes them so powerful.
And power – and empowerment – is their message to all the girls and women watching. We live in a society still marred by misogyny, where far too many teenage girls will say their life aspiration is to be an “influencer” or “YouTube star.”
My heart skips a beat when I realize that our Lionesses capture the imagination of ten-year-olds who jump and dance for joy and say, “I want to be like them.”
Two decades ago, the hit movie Bend It Like Beckham, starring Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra, threw the spotlight on how a girl can fall in love with football, willing to challenge all obstacles in order to play.
Yet there is still resistance to the radical idea that football is a game for girls. Only 44 percent of high schools offer soccer as a choice for girls – and that needs to change now.
After the lionesses defeated the Swedes, Ian Wright hit the nail on the head when he said: ‘If this isn’t a legacy, like the Olympics, then what do we do?
‘If girls can’t play football like the boys, what do we do? All the girls who were so eager to play football can point to the Lionesses and say, “Now you must allow me!” ‘
When I see the cheering crowds, I get a lump in my throat, not only from the sheer verve and joy of the match, but because these great sporting events allow us to express love for our country.
While there are, unbelievably, some men who still patronize the women’s game, is there really much of a difference in energy, style and skill?
Why do people drape themselves in the Saint George flag? Why did the Swedish fans paint their faces yellow and blue like their country’s flag? Because when the internet is full of resentment and leftist aversion to patriotism, football allows us to show our shared passion, our sense of belonging.
It’s such a great unifier and leveler – when the university teacher and the manual worker and the kids all want the same thing. It transcends politics and race because it proudly shouts ‘Come on England!’ is all about red and white – nothing else.
When we look at our glorious Lionesses, we witness sisterhood, grace, power and patriotism all rolled into one joyful spectacle. There it will be on our TV screens Sunday evening, and again we will share everything possible in a country that is proud of itself. What a great feeling to be part of a whole.
We thrive best when we are rooted in a sense of love and connection with family, neighbors, place, region, country.
This joy tells all those who despise our country to just…well, get lost.
And (whisper it) victory? Das ist ein Katzensprung, as the Germans say, which means it’s just a cat jumping away. And like the big cats, our Lionesses will leap to triumph. Just wait for the roar.