final preview

let me make this clear:

i am behind england, not because i ahve anything in common with the english fans. at least those supporting the men's team. i think the supporters of the women's team are probably different. and i stick to my opinion of the english media and pundits.

i am behind england because of faye white, anita asante, alex scott, katie chapman, kaz carney and kelly smith. arsenal/ex-arsenal players.

i am behind england because i want to be proven right. that germany has weaknesses waiting to be exploited. that the gap between nations has decreased such that a german victory is no longer a given.

england are not my favourite team in the tournament. i don't think i have one. though at the start of the tournament, i was sort of behind germany. which comes to the next point

why i am not behind germany. i saw how other teams play. france caught the attention. sweden as well. even norway with their battling displays. i just don't agree with everyone else that this is germany's tournament. it is like not giving credit to the other teams. and i like to be proven right.

in any case, i also disagree with germany's team selection.

so if i were hope powell, i would play jill scott and drop sue smith. jill scott is tall and can head the crosses carney will be sending in. and she is an all-action midfielder. the game has to be won in midfield.

bresonik has been ruled fit. i see her maybe slotting at right-back, allowing laudehr to start in centre mid.

one possible scenario is that birgit prinz will finally get everything right and lead germany to victory.

what i am hoping to see is kelly smith making this her final, her tournament.

but may the best team win.