I think she celebrated alright, she even did a little dance for Fara

but it wasnt the running man, how great would that be

have to be careful not to get studs caught in the grass though

I think it was good learning process for the England girls and it shows them the work that needs to be done to reach the top level.

Casey Stoney is confident that all of England's young players will have gained an incredible amount from the experience of playing the World Champions.

Casey was one of the more experienced players in the team that took the field in Aalen, winning her 40th cap despite being only 24-years-old, but she feels that everyone who took part in the game will have grown immensely as a result.

"We just played Germany and they are the World Champions, it isn't going to get much tougher than that.

"I think it is far better to have played this game now rather than two months before the World Cup. Now we have the time to look at what we need to improve for China.

"I actually thought we played well for the first hour, but they have got a lot of quality and they're a very powerful side.

Despite losing the match by a 5-1 scoreline, Casey is convinced that the likes of Jill Scott, Siobhan Chamberlain and Anita Asante will learn a great deal from coming up against Germany.

Casey told TheFA.com: "To play in that game must be an eye-opener for those players, it shows them straight away the level they have to reach.

"Far better that it happens now than a few months before the World Cup, at least now we have the time to work on our game and improve.

"We've played the best and I think we can be proud of how we coped in the first half, we know what where we need to be as a team next September and we're confident we'll be ready."


source: TheFA.com

Some pics from Aalen......


A big smile after getting the ticket

Warm up

The fence was good for something

One for the scrapbook!!!!

Hope cameraman is not afraid of hieghts

German subs warm up

Oh dear

Kelly talking to BBC

[Images replaced with url's by Agent Smith.
Please don't post images wider than 600 pixels. Thanks]

Great pics there! Love your comment to the 5-1 pic "oh dear"

There is always a lesson to learn for any game at every level.
I always find fascinating to watch a game even at U11, there is always something to be learnt.
Anyway I do not believe that England will win the WC but it is important that squad player get experience at the highest level to see how hard they need to work.

dont think anyone believes England will win the WC, they wont even get close, but its the only way to develop and gain vital experience.

I'm glad we agree about that.
I mean I'd be very happy if a miracle happened and England won the WC
but if they win the group or go further,
that will be a huge achievement for them as well.

Nobody knew much about team England before the Euros
and now that they qualified to the WC Finals,
English people think they can beat ANYONE.
The truth is they may as well end their WC adventure at the bottom of the group
if they meet the countries like Germany, USA, Brazil
or any African or Asian country where you play a completelly different football.

I do wish England GOOD LUCK and am looking forward to big surprises

Nice pics

There's a video of Kelly talking after the game,
you'd think such an experienced tv like BBC would give her a microphone but no
- let's struggle hearing her through the crowd noise

Click here and go to "WOMEN'S FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS AND FEATURES"
where you'll find the "Smith demands improved fitness" video. Enjoy

She makes important points about squad depth and fitness.
I think the fitness will come during the preparation but for the squad qualitiy
players who come and reach international level in a season, you can get one or two max.

Thanks alot for putting them vids on youtube!

My pleasure

As I have already said I here there is only so much improvement the girls can do, unless they are put on a contract for 4/5 months to work on all aspects of their game.

Remember a lot of them work full time or are in full time education, or a mums etc. There are only so many hours in the day.

Its alright for the blokes, couple of hours footy in the am. Chef make them luch, then gym, swimming etc at the club in the pm. Then chef makes dinner. Home by 4. How can the girls compete.

Most of them are probably doing their work down the local council gym, and it yours is like mine, there not going to improve much there.

Sorry I missed them at first - but thanks Agent S

You raise a good point but I do not see such a possibility happening. 4 or 5 months subsided by the FA for a squad of 30 maybe ? I do not know how many training sessions the girls have ? At academy and college level I believe it's daily sessions but if you have a job obviously you are restricted to evening sessions.

I think the trainings in England should be different too.
Looking at the way the teams warm up before the game only,
you can tell the differences. It's just running, kick-ups, and kicking the ball around.
And lvblue, England is not the only country where the female footballers have to work.
Most of them have sport-related jobs anyway.
So I agree with what Kelly said.

Womens' premier league ?

No, it's the England team we're talking about, mate