Special Event: 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup: Round of 16

August 4, 2023 10:49 AM

And we're down to 16, with glorious knockout glory awaiting.

The schedule and details are available from FIFA. What game are you most looking forward to? Is there a quarter-final matchup you're hoping for?

The bracket:

_🇨🇭SUI_               2023 WOMENS WORLD CUP           _AUS🇦🇺_
  5th  \_____            KNOCKOUT STAGE         _____/  7th  
_🇪🇸ESP_/     \                                 /     \_DEN🇩🇰_
         11th \_____         ⚽         _____/  12th       
_🇳🇱NED_       /     \                   /     \       _FRA🇫🇷_
  6th  \_____/       \                 /       \_____/  8th 
_🇿🇦RSA_/              \               /              \_MAR🇲🇦_
            15th Aug  \_____ 🏆 _____/  16th Aug           
_🇯🇵JPN_                /             \                _ENG🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿_
  5th  \_____         /    20th Aug   \         _____/  7th  
_🇳🇴NOR_/     \       /                 \       /     \_NGA🇳🇬_
         11th \_____/                   \_____/  12th       
_🇸🇪SWE_       /                               \       _COL🇨🇴_
  6th  \_____/                                 \_____/  8th  
_🇺🇸USA_/           All dates in AUS/NZ time          \_JAM🇯🇲_

posted by Superilla (28 comments total)

Personally, I'm excited about France-Morocco, both for the possible colonialism-revenge aspect as well as because it has the chance of being an upset; France have looked beatable, and I'm excited about the Atlas Lionesses showing that -- shock! -- strong national support of women's sports teams helps them do better at international competitions. And the Round of 8 match I'm hoping to see is Lauren James vs. Linda Caicedo (with their teammates I guess).
posted by Superilla at 10:58 AM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]

Dear me, these times are almost maximally bad. You can see that FIFA tried to make it so that if the US had won their group and kept winning, that at least the round of 16 and the quarterfinal would be at a reasonable time for the US market. But as it is the US match is at 2 in the morning here. Does that count as getting up early or staying up late? I think if I watch first thing upon waking I won't be spoiled.
posted by wnissen at 11:36 AM on August 4, 2023

I'm going to a concert tonight, so torn between staying up for Spain-Switzerland (1 AM my time) or getting a few hours sleep and getting up for Japan-Norway. In theory I could try to stay up for both, but I doubt my fortitude.
posted by the primroses were over at 1:08 PM on August 4, 2023

It has been so exciting so far! I have enjoyed watching the games on Peacock and immersing myself in soccer-Spanish.

Anyhow: To me the field is wide open. Japan has impressed on me. Jamaica has some good energy going.

However, I will have to put my money on Sweden for the win.
posted by Rabarberofficer at 4:14 PM on August 4, 2023

Looking forward to ESP - SUI in five minutes. NOT looking forward to USA - SWE 🥹🥹
posted by billsaysthis at 9:57 PM on August 4, 2023

Well, scoreline wise, it looks like Spain took care of business. Japan/Norway has just started.
posted by LostInUbe at 1:10 AM on August 5, 2023

Own goal! Japan is up 1 - 0. Japan has been dominating the ball and has already had four corner kicks in the first fifteen minutes.

And Norway ties it up before the edit window closes! It's the first goal Japan has surrendered in the tournament.
posted by LostInUbe at 1:18 AM on August 5, 2023

So far Japan-Norway is a great match. Japan have been utterly dominant, but Norway got one chance and took it, so one-one it is, with a bit more than half an hour gone.
posted by Kattullus at 1:35 AM on August 5, 2023

Oops. I switched over to watch some meaningless G-1 Climax match and missed the Japan goal. Damn you Will Ospreay. Japan 2 - 1!
posted by LostInUbe at 2:11 AM on August 5, 2023

Oh wow, what a comprehensive performance by Japan. Whichever of Sweden or the US will not like facing them.
posted by Kattullus at 2:56 AM on August 5, 2023

That's it! Japan added another goal and are on to the Round of 8. Next for them is either Sweden or the US.
posted by LostInUbe at 2:56 AM on August 5, 2023

A+ ASCII bracket!
posted by fleacircus at 4:36 PM on August 5, 2023

Ok. I will not be awake for the SWE-USA game. I'll just drop my prediction here: 3-2 to Sweden.
posted by Rabarberofficer at 7:46 PM on August 5, 2023

First game I'm getting to watch in real time this year is Netherlands - South Africa, and wow, SA push at the end of the first half didn't quite pull them even but it makes me hopeful for the 2nd. I wouldn't begrudge Netherlands a win, I've nothing against them, but I can't not root for SA.
posted by solotoro at 8:17 PM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]

Spain looked dominant today; they managed to make both goalkeepers look stupid at one point or another. They made the Swiss defence look like something that is full of holes, if only I could think of the right metaphor.
posted by Superilla at 8:40 PM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]

US-Sweden thoughts: Goal line technology, bah. Also, I want to give Sophia Smith a hug. Those goalkeepers, phew. Good for Sweden though, and can't be mad with the quality of play from the round of 16 teams in general.

Gonna need to sleep tonight, so will watch Telemundo replays of England-Nigeria and Australia-Denmark.
posted by the primroses were over at 5:03 AM on August 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

Could England-Nigeria be more of a game begging you to go for breakfast beer? 8.30am KO in both countries and both, I think it is fair to say, quite liking a beer.
posted by biffa at 5:13 AM on August 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

It’s strange, as a neutral, to feel sad for a team as richly garlanded with prizes as the US, but I really felt for them at the end. Seeing Rapinoe crying felt somehow wrong, after a decade plus of watching her tear apart opposing teams. But the image which will stay with me is Naeher’s stunned reaction after it’s been confirmed that Hurtig’s penalty crossed the line. Such shocked disbelief.
posted by Kattullus at 5:51 AM on August 6, 2023 [2 favorites]

But yay Sweden! They’ll give Japan a hell of a game, that’s for sure.
posted by Kattullus at 5:51 AM on August 6, 2023

I still think of SWE as the cruel older system team and that was definitely a cruel way to lose a game!
posted by fleacircus at 8:03 AM on August 6, 2023 [2 favorites]

Sports journalist Charles Boehm once described the Swedish men’s team thusly:

Sweden are organized and smart and rugged and just cynical enough to really have a shot at going all the way. The walking manifestation of that sinking feeling that it's not going to be your day.

This applies probably doubly for the women’s team.
posted by Kattullus at 8:55 AM on August 6, 2023

Ok, so my prediction for the SWE-US game were off. However, that entire game was a nailbiter. Absolute nailbiter. However, I am certain that the Japan-Sweden game might become a nervous business as well.
posted by Rabarberofficer at 9:50 AM on August 6, 2023

Oof, England got away with one there.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 3:23 AM on August 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

First game I saw live (on tv), and it was a good one!
posted by pianissimo at 5:25 AM on August 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

Some beautiful play from Australia in that game. Great to see Sam off the bench as well. Very exciting if they keep building like this.
posted by daffodil at 5:33 AM on August 7, 2023

I have just been to the match, it was glorious, most of the crowd was up way past their bedtime and are likely to be late for school tomorrow. Pretty great all round
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 6:56 AM on August 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

Yay Matildas!

When I pulled up the replay for England-Nigeria, I could tell it went to PKs by the length, and considered skipping to the end. So glad I watched the whole thing - Nigeria played a great game. From Defector: Nigeria Played Great And Made England Butt-Stomping Mad.

Tomorrow is a work from home day for me, so going to try to wake up and watch the last 2 matches for this round live.
posted by the primroses were over at 3:37 PM on August 7, 2023

New post for the quarter finals!
posted by Superilla at 3:14 PM on August 10, 2023