I've loved being able to do a Draft World Cup for female players. As I mentioned in the introductory episode, playing as women's teams is long overdue in FM, and it's only thanks to the amazing Women's Database that I can run this.
The tournament itself has been really good, with some high drama. In the group stage USA fell over the line after a strong challenge by the Rest of World team, and in the second group Mainland Europe were able to pip the Germans at the post. Neither team, however, were able to get through the semis. Mainland Europe were comfortably outclassed by England, whilst France's early blitz helped them see off an extraordinarily star-studded USA team.
So, to the final! It's hard to call a winner here. France's team is almost entirely (9 out of 11) made from Lyon players, the team that has dominated European women's football. Meanwhile, England have a 100% record, and have been comfortable all the way. Neither side has had this level of success in the men's DWCs, so here is a chance for the women to show them how it's done!
Jordan Nobbs wasn't at her best against Mainland Europe, and more control was offered by Jill Scott, so it is the latter who starts for an otherwise-unchanged England - Demi Stokes can consider herself unlucky not to regain her place at LB after her suspension ended. Despite an unconvincing defensive display against USA, France stick with the same XI.
The tournament itself has been really good, with some high drama. In the group stage USA fell over the line after a strong challenge by the Rest of World team, and in the second group Mainland Europe were able to pip the Germans at the post. Neither team, however, were able to get through the semis. Mainland Europe were comfortably outclassed by England, whilst France's early blitz helped them see off an extraordinarily star-studded USA team.
So, to the final! It's hard to call a winner here. France's team is almost entirely (9 out of 11) made from Lyon players, the team that has dominated European women's football. Meanwhile, England have a 100% record, and have been comfortable all the way. Neither side has had this level of success in the men's DWCs, so here is a chance for the women to show them how it's done!
Jordan Nobbs wasn't at her best against Mainland Europe, and more control was offered by Jill Scott, so it is the latter who starts for an otherwise-unchanged England - Demi Stokes can consider herself unlucky not to regain her place at LB after her suspension ended. Despite an unconvincing defensive display against USA, France stick with the same XI.
And we're underway in the inaugural Women's Draft World Cup final!
The opening shot is England's, as Ji So-Yun's volley from the edge of the box is tamely wide. It was teed up by a beautiful cross by Jessica Samuelsson, but the England RB soon undoes this by flying into a wild challenge in the centre circle - and picking up a red card! England will have to play at least 85 minutes with 10 players! Ji is the unfortunate player to be substituted, as Millie Bright comes on.
The opening shot is England's, as Ji So-Yun's volley from the edge of the box is tamely wide. It was teed up by a beautiful cross by Jessica Samuelsson, but the England RB soon undoes this by flying into a wild challenge in the centre circle - and picking up a red card! England will have to play at least 85 minutes with 10 players! Ji is the unfortunate player to be substituted, as Millie Bright comes on.
Undeterred, England have a good chance as Scott bursts into the box, but her effort is pushed over by Sarah Bouhaddi. The French keeper is called into action not long after, parrying away Fran Kirby's effort. France, meanwhile, are reduced to hopeful shots from long range, and eventually we reach the break goalless.
The second half progresses in a similarly quiet fashion, so France make the attacking change of replacing defensive midfielder Formiga with a much more attack-minded Andrine Hegerberg (sister of striker Ada). England just keeping battling away though, and Vivienne Miedema has a great chance from Scott's pass, but her first-time shot is narrowly wide.
The second half progresses in a similarly quiet fashion, so France make the attacking change of replacing defensive midfielder Formiga with a much more attack-minded Andrine Hegerberg (sister of striker Ada). England just keeping battling away though, and Vivienne Miedema has a great chance from Scott's pass, but her first-time shot is narrowly wide.
Dzsenifer Marozsán ran the show for France in the semi-final, but her contribution here has been very limited. She does, however, give Ada Hegerberg her best sight of goal with a nice pass, but the Norwegian striker hits it straight at Hedvig Lindahl. Having earlier brought on Stokes for Greenwood, England add more energy to their midfield by replacing Kim Little with Nobbs. Typically, Miedema picks up a knock straight after, but she can soldier on. France begin to push hard for a winner, and England look more and more tired. However, they continue to repel French attacks, with Steph Houghton unsurprisingly shining in central defence. Which is why it is utterly heartbreaking when the England (real-life and DWC) skipper scores an own goal in injury time! France work a free kick to Andrine Hegerberg, and her shot ricochets around the box, and the crucial deflection is off Houghton and into the net! It's a horrible twist for a hugely unfortunate England team, and moments later the final whistle confirms their defeat... and confirms France as the 2018 Women's DWC champions!
After the early red card, I think we all expected France to win. But based on the following 85 minutes, England arguably played the better stuff - particularly factoring in the red card and Miedema's injury - which makes the manner of their defeat horrible to see.
Just like in the men's real-life World Cup, France had a team stacked with quality, particularly in defence (PotM was Saki Kumagai), and ferociously talented attackers. They go down as the first-ever winners of the Women's DWC.
I hope you've enjoyed this tournament. If you have, please check out the other series on this site - and with FM19 coming out in a couple of weeks, look out for the latest edition of the men's DWC!
Before we finish, time for some quick awards to be handed out:
Golden Boot (top scorer)
1st: Ada Hegerberg (FRA) 5 goals
2nd: Karen Carney (ENG), Vivianne Miedema (ENG), Shanice van de Sanden (FRA) 4 goals
Golden Ball (best player)
1st: Karen Carney (ENG) 7.93
2nd: Shanice van de Sanden (FRA) 7.85
3rd: Jessica Samuelsson (ENG) 7.60
Team of the Tournament
Lindahl (ENG); Samuelsson (ENG), van den Berg (MEU), Mjelde (ENG), Aschauer (GER); Lloyd (USA), Groenen (GER); van de Sanden (FRA), Carney (ENG), Kirby (ENG); Hegerberg (FRA)
Goal of the Tournament
1st: Sam Kerr (USA) vs. France
2nd: Jackie Groenen (GER) vs. Sweden
3rd: Christine Sinclair (USA) vs. France
Just like in the men's real-life World Cup, France had a team stacked with quality, particularly in defence (PotM was Saki Kumagai), and ferociously talented attackers. They go down as the first-ever winners of the Women's DWC.
I hope you've enjoyed this tournament. If you have, please check out the other series on this site - and with FM19 coming out in a couple of weeks, look out for the latest edition of the men's DWC!
Before we finish, time for some quick awards to be handed out:
Golden Boot (top scorer)
1st: Ada Hegerberg (FRA) 5 goals
2nd: Karen Carney (ENG), Vivianne Miedema (ENG), Shanice van de Sanden (FRA) 4 goals
Golden Ball (best player)
1st: Karen Carney (ENG) 7.93
2nd: Shanice van de Sanden (FRA) 7.85
3rd: Jessica Samuelsson (ENG) 7.60
Team of the Tournament
Lindahl (ENG); Samuelsson (ENG), van den Berg (MEU), Mjelde (ENG), Aschauer (GER); Lloyd (USA), Groenen (GER); van de Sanden (FRA), Carney (ENG), Kirby (ENG); Hegerberg (FRA)
Goal of the Tournament
1st: Sam Kerr (USA) vs. France
2nd: Jackie Groenen (GER) vs. Sweden
3rd: Christine Sinclair (USA) vs. France