For the moment, they are three. At the end of the first two days of the group stage of Euro 2022, only three nations (France, England and Germany) have achieved a clear round, already allowing them to project themselves towards the quarters of final. Behind, everything is possible, or almost. In each group, they are sometimes up to four teams to still have a card to play for the first quarter-finals which will begin on Wednesday July 20.
For the occasion, franceinfo:sport draws up an inventory of the competition just before the start, Friday July 15, of the last matches of the first phase of the Women’s Euro.
Group A: Norway must be wary of Austria
England did not drag to take his quarter. Therefore, the Lionesses’ next match against Northern Ireland is without stakes, especially since their opponents are already eliminated from the tournament.
The Group To be decided
__________ will progress to the quarters! #WEURO2022 | #AUT | #NOR pic.twitter.com/ZyN361LRgU
— UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 15, 2022
On the other hand, the suspense is total in the other match of this group. Tied on points (3), Austria and Norway face each other on Friday evening at 9 p.m. at the Amex Stadium in Brighton, in the south of England. In this confrontation, the advantage is with Austria, on the mathematical level, which has a better goal difference than its adversary. Above all, the Austrian players, led by striker Nicole Billa (top scorer in the German championship in 2021), only need a draw to qualify. But the Norwegians of Ada Hegerberg will be keen to react after the humiliation received by England two days ago.
Group B: clash expected between Spaniards and Danes
This is surely the match not to be missed. The Danes, finalists of the last Euro, will play their place against Spain, Saturday at 9 p.m. After a missed start to the tournament against Germany (4-0 for the Nationalmannshäft), Denmark cannot fail against a Roja still orphaned by her Golden Ball Alexia Putellas. The key match of this group B will take place at Brentford stadium, in the suburbs of London.
The other meeting of this group has no major stakes. Except that, for the Germans, to preserve their unbeaten record in the group stage which has held since 1997. They will play against a team from Finland already eliminated after the first two meetings.
Group C : the Netherlands and Sweden must not flinch
Group C is the most undecided, since each team can still claim a place in the quarter-finals. The Netherlands, defending champions, and Sweden are still on a favorable waiver since a draw is enough for them to ensure their qualification.
Beware, moreover, of the bad surprise. A victory for Portugal or Switzerland, with at least a two-goal difference, could allow these two nations to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. The two meetings (Sweden-Portugal and Switzerland-Netherlands) will be followed on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Group D : behind Les Bleues, everything remains to be done
The France team ensured its qualification in the first two games. Corinne Deacon’s players can therefore approach this last day against Iceland with peace of mind. Even in case of defeat, the Blues are also guaranteed to finish first in their group. However, the result of the meeting, scheduled for Monday July 18 in Rotherham at 9 p.m., could have an influence on the identity of the second qualified selection.
Group D
Who’ll join France in the quarter-finals? #WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/7N6g2IbLA1
— UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 14, 2022
In case of victory, the Icelanders would make sure to participate in the quarter-finals of this Euro 2022. Any other result would place them at the mercy of the score between Belgium and Italy. One of these two nations, which have so far only scored one small point, can still get out of the group stage if successful, Monday at 9 p.m., at the Academy Stadium in Manchester .