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
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