Switchback (8/11)

PARC DE LA GATINEAU, CHELSEA, QC - So confused.  Where was this 1G-Sweden team who were crisp and creative in the first half instead of the defensive-minded team vs USA with just one shot on goal in 120 minutes?  And where was this tentative 1C-Japan team who were without a shot for 67 minutes instead of the clinical attacking team vs 2C-Spain and Norway?  

And then just like that, they switched back as SWE survived a missed JPN PK, got another ball goal line technology go their way (no goal for JPN off a wicked direct free kick), and weathered a late surge.  And then just like that, JPN's passing was short and crisp which led to 11 shots in the final 22 minutes+ and several chances for game-tying goal, but eventually fell short, 2-1.  Credit to SWE who outplayed JPN at their own game in the first half and then at the end, got their passing game back to waste time in stoppage.  The short JPN passing is so fun to watch and it's too bad they waiting too long to turn it back on.  SWE's GK came up with another clutch save in stoppage time and the one goal she allowed, she was slightly injured after that wicked free kick went off the crossbar and JPN recovered and put two shots in quick succession.  

ESP got a PK in the 81' but 1E-Netherlands fought back with some life finally and tied it in the 90'+1 (of 12 (!) minutes of added time).  NED then had two great chances in extra time but didn't get it on frame either time and then shortly thereafter ESP came down and scored the game-winner in 111'.  So we won't get a ESPvJPN rematch but we get an all-Euro semifinal (maybe the 1st of 2 depending on 1D-England and 1F-France results).  While in Ottawa, Subway had a CAN WNT promo with Christine Sinclair so had to get one (not hers, but the Canadian Classic) wearing my second Japan fan shirt, a 2022 Ukiyo-e version, which is a great blue wave combination.

18 got ESP and 16 SWE in the semifinals.  But no one got both as 34 went 1-1 (cause, USA should be in the semis, right?).  No change at the top with Kds911-2 still leading with 99 points with More$ 98 and Lavelle Lover 97.  But it's ShrimpOnTheBarbie (13th-Tied, 90) with the best chance to win the pool at 28.1% while Kds911-2 moves closer to money (71.9%).  More$ is 2nd but can't win the pool while ShrimpOnTheBarbie is tied for 13th and can win the pool.  Flying Elvi is tied for 13th and is eliminated while Sebastian is tied for 30th (83) and can still win 2nd.  Tiny Destroyer is still last (58).