HIGHS LOWS

HIGHS RECORD CROWDS

IT STARTED with the opening game at Old Trafford as 68,781 watched England beat Austria and ended with another record of 87,192 for the final. There was a brilliant atmosphere for England’s matches and it is vital that Women’s Super League clubs make the most of this summer to lure bigger crowds for the season ahead.

RUSSO’S BACK-HEEL

THE best goal of the tournament. The skill and improvisation the England striker showed were sensational. Like the Cruyff turn, the Alessia Russo back-heel will go down as an iconic moment which girls and boys will try to recreate on the playground.

IAN WRIGHT

THERE is no male football icon more passionate about women’s football in this country. His punditry on the BBC has been superb. He also recognises the importance of creating a legacy. ‘If girls are not allowed to play football in PE — just like the boys can — what are we doing?’ Wright asked. The women’s game is lucky to have him.

GOALKEEPING

WOMEN’S goalkeepers are often maligned but we’ve seen some brilliant performances. Mary Earps (England), Merle Frohms (Germany), Daphne van Domselaar (Netherlands) and Nicky Evrard (Belgium) were

all fantastic.

LOWS INJURIES AND COVID

THE biggest disappointment was not being able to watch several star players. Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament the day before the first game, as did France striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto in their opening match. Germany talisman Alexandra Popp missed yesterday’s final after injuring herself in the warm-up. Covid also played its part in players such as Netherlands star Vivianne Miedema missing key games.

SMALL STADIUMS

SOME of the grounds used weren’t up to scratch for an event of this stature. Venues like Manchester City’s Academy Stadium and Leigh Sports Village were picked in 2017 but their capacities were too small and their empty standing sections — unable to be used owing to UEFA regulations — weren’t a great look on TV.

MEXICAN WAVES

Enough said.