Canada takes on France for the bronze medal in women's soccer

Canadian 11: McLeod, Nault, Sesselmann, Moscato, Wilkinson, Matheson, Scott, Schmidt, Sinclair, Tancredi, Filigno

by Darren Yourk 8/9/2012 10:58:13 AM
Jeff Blair here. Terrific day in Coventry. Warm, sunny, pitch immaculate

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 11:05:32 AM
A quick question before we get going here Jeff. One big factor in today’s game is going to be how Canada responds to the U.S. loss in the semi-final. Did yesterday’s training session give you a feel for where this team is physically and mentally?

by Darren Yourk 8/9/2012 11:38:59 AM
Back ... phew. Love technology. Got to say this team seems as relaxed as it was before Sweden and GBR and U.S. My only concern is the health of DMF Desiree Scott and Diana Matheson, both five-feet one or two. They expended a lot of energy in the U.S. game and France is blazingly quick.

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 11:50:11 AM
Anthems. Canada in red tops and bottoms.

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 11:53:25 AM
Melissa Tancredi said France were her pre-tournament favourite. "Very strong technically," she said. "I have a lot of respect for them as opponents.":

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 11:55:06 AM
Canada gets big edge in crowd support.

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 11:56:00 AM
Jeff, can you give us your take on what John Herdman has meant to the national team in his short tenure? What have been the biggest changes/improvements?

by Darren Yourk 8/9/2012 11:57:38 AM
And we're off...

by Darren Yourk 8/9/2012 12:00:09 PM
Biggest changes have been fitness level and confidence. Tactically, they press higher up. Moving Sinclair to midfield was a move that should have been done five years ago.

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 12:00:49 PM
Lots of cries of 'allez les bleus.'

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 12:01:02 PM
Canada not playing back as much as they did against the U.S. Back line much higher up, moving much faster. Scott shows no signs of her injury.

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 12:04:39 PM
We're just five minutes in, but France seems set on attacking on the right side.

by Darren Yourk 8/9/2012 12:05:32 PM
First corner to Canada. Sophie Schmidt's been terrific this series.

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 12:05:40 PM
Good observation Darren. Marie-Eve Nault is considered the weakest link in the Canadian back line.

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 12:06:20 PM
Little bit of pressure there from Canada, but nothing comes of it.

by Darren Yourk 8/9/2012 12:07:20 PM
Sinclair's playing higher up. Almost 4-4-3

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 12:07:49 PM
Very slow start here. Neither team able to string much together.

by Darren Yourk 8/9/2012 12:10:26 PM
Gut feeling is that Jonelle Filigno has good match. She's come close to a couple of nice runs. Not sure France will take her out physically the way the U.S. did.

by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 12:10:30 PM
First corner for Les Bleus. Guard the post, girls.
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by Jeff Blair 8/9/2012 12:10:47 PM

Canada takes on France for the bronze medal in women's soccer

Follow Globe sports reporter Jeff Blair live from London as he blogs the women's soccer bronze medal match at the London 2012 Olympics.