TV ratings trump Djokovic v Kyrgios

A PEAK audience of 7.6million tuned into BBC One to watch England’s quarter-final with Spain on Wednesday night, surpassing figures for the men’s Wimbledon final between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios.

It was a huge increase from the Lionesses’ games in the group stage against Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland.

The opening game against Austria attracted an audience of 3.7m and 4.1m watched England’s 8-0 win over Norway. The lowest viewing figures came in the final group game against Northern Ireland, with a peak audience of 3.4m.

The viewing figures for England’s 2-1 defeat against the United States in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup were 11.7m and there is every chance Tuesday’s semi-final against Sweden or Belgium will get close to or break that record. England are expected to face Sweden in the final four but a Covid outbreak could affect the Swedes’ preparations. Hanna Glas and Emma Kullberg tested positive this week and former Chelsea full back Jonna Andersson has not trained due to illness. It is unclear whether Andersson may be Covid positive as well, with Sweden boss Peter Gerhardsson refusing to confirm or deny her status. Sweden are ranked second in the world and were runners-up at the Tokyo Olympics. Tonight’s quarter-final opponents Belgium are the second-lowest ranked side remaining in the competition.