Women’s EURO2022 preview and predictions
The women’s European Championships is the 13th edition and only the second since it expanded to 16 teams. The tournament will be held in England from July 6th-31st. This is following a postponement due to Covid when it was scheduled for August 2021.
Below is my preview and predictions of where I think teams will finish in their groups and beyond…..
GROUP A
ENGLAND
NORWAY
AUSTRIA
NORTHERN IRELAND
Although I am fully expecting hosts England (rank 8) to top their group, they will not have it their own way. They come into this tournament in great form and will want to at least go one better than losing in the SF to eventual winners Netherlands in 2017. However, they will also want to top their best finish of runner-up in 84 & 09.
They will look to captain Leah Williamson to lead from the midfield, with creativity from star player Georgia Stanway. They have strength and experience at the back in the experienced Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood. Up top, they have the vastly experienced Ellen White along with Beth Mead and possible one to watch Lauren Hemp in what is a quality-looking squad.
Norway (rank 12) are two-time Euro winners (87 & 93) and will push England in this group. They qualified comfortably, winning six from six, four points ahead of N.Ireland and Wales, having played two games less due to two games being cancelled for Covid.
Their hopes are with their very experienced captain Maren Mjelde also, Maria Thorisdottir and Julie Blackstad at the back. Possible one to watch Guro Reiten in midfield with star player Ada Hagerberg up front, who will be supported by the experienced Caroline Hansen.
Having unexpectedly made it to the SF’s in 2017, in their first finals appearance, only losing on pens to Denmark. Austria (rank 21) has a hard act to follow. They were one of three teams to qualify automatically in second. They finished three points behind France, winning six, drawing one and losing one, scoring 22 and conceding 3.
Their hopes will rest on captain Viktoria Schnaderbeck and the experience of Carina Wenninger at the back. With Laura Feiersinger and star player Sarah Zadrazil pulling the strings from midfield, for the likes of Barbara Dunst, Julia Hicklesberger and possible one to watch Nicole Billa for the goals.
Northern Ireland (rank 48) are the only debutants. They qualified runners-up to Norway, taking the last play off spot via away goals in a head-to-head with Wales. Winning two, drawing two and losing two, scoring 17 and conceding 17. Then in the play off’s, they beat Ukraine 2-1 away, then 2-0 at home.
They are led by their captain Marissa Callaghan in midfield, along with the experience, creativity of star player Rachel Furness. At the back, they have more experience in Julie Nelson, Ashly Hutton and Sarah McFadden, with possible one to watch Simone Magill upfront, who has a real eye for goal.
GROUP B
GERMANY
SPAIN
DENMARK
FINLAND
Eight-time Euro winner Germany (rank 3) will head what looks like the group of death and will have their work cut out for them to top it. They qualified easily, winning all eight of their games, a massive nine points ahead of Ukraine, scoring 46 and conceding only 1. However, they have been knocked out in the QF’s of their last two finals.
They are led by their vastly experienced captain Alexandra Popp upfront with support from defenders Kathrin Hendreich and Marina Hegering. Star player Sara Dabritz and Lina Magull in midfield with possible one to watch Lea Schuller and Svenja Huth for goals upfront.
Equally capable of winning this group and even going all the way, Spain (Rank 10) come into these finals with high hopes. They lost in the QF’s in the last two Euro’s and their best finish remains SF in 97. They qualified top of their group, winning seven and drawing one, scoring 48 and conceding 1.
They are led by defender and captain Irene Peredes, with support from Maria Leon. In midfield, their star player and one of the best in the world Alexia Putellas will pull the strings, with support from fellow midfielder Aitana Bonmati with two very useful forwards in Mariona Caldentey and possible one to watch Esther Gonzalez.
After Denmark (rank 15) surprised everyone by getting to the finals in 2017, for their best ever finish, they will not be happy in this group. However, they are in the midst of their best form having qualified for the world cup for the first time since 2011. They qualified top, three points from Italy, winning nine and drawing one, scoring 48 and conceding 1.
They are led by their captain and star player, striker Pernil;e Harder, who will be relied upon for goals and assists. With support from defenders Simone Boye Sorensen, and Katrine Veje. The experience of Sanne Troelsgaard in midfield added to the goals and quality of possible one to watch Nadia Nadim upfront.
Although miracles do happen, it would be even more of a miracle if Finland (rank 25) make it out of this group, but anything is possible. However, I doubt they will equal their SF finish in 2005. They qualified top, three points from Portugal, winning seven and drawing one, scoring 24 and conceding 2.
They will hope captain and goalkeeper Tinja-Rikkaa Korpela will have a good tournament and be supported by defenders Anna Westerlund and star player three-time Finland player of the year Natalia Kuikka. Also, midfielders Emmi Alanen and Eveliina Summanen with the experience and goals of possible one to watch Linda Sällström.
GROUP C
NETHERLANDS
SWEDEN
PORTUGAL
SWITZERLAND
The defending champions are in a golden era. The Netherlands (Rank 4) won this tournament in only their 3rd appearance in 2017, they then followed it up by finishing runners-up in only their second world cup in 2019. They qualified top, six points from Russia, winning all ten games, scoring 48 and conceding 3.
However, are they the same team without coach Weigman, who is now with England? They are led by captain and goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal. Defenders Aniek Nouwen, Stefanie Van der Gragt and Dominique Janssen. With experienced midfielders Sherida Spitse & Danielle Van de Donk and forwards, star player Vivianne Miedema and top striker, possible one to watch Lieke Martens.
Although Sweden (rank 2) has always been there or thereabouts, their only tournament win came in their first Euro’s in 1984. Since, in the next nine tournaments, they have been runners up three times, third once, SF three times and two QF finishes, including last time in 2017. They qualified top, three points from Iceland, winning seven and drawing one, scoring 40 and conceding 2.
Led by captain Caroline Seger in midfield alongside star player Kosovare Asllani. Defenders Linda Sembrant and Magdalena Eriksson with experienced forward Sofia Jacobsson and possible one to watch Stina Blackstenius.
If you remember how Denmark men qualified for Euro 1992, Portugal (rank 29) has a similar story. Russia qualified by beating Portugal in the play-off 1-0 away then drawing at home 0-0. But due to their worldwide sanctions, Portugal got the ultimate prize. They qualified for the play off’s as runners-up, three points behind Finland, winning six, drawing one and losing one, scoring 10 and conceding 2.
They are led by captain and midfielder Ana Borges, in the absence of captain Neto. Along with support from Tatiana Pinto & Dolores Silva. Defenders Silvia Rebelo and Carole Casta with star player and possible one to watch Jessica Silva upfront.
Switzerland (rank 20) has already been written off. Playing in only their second Euro’s but second in a row, getting out of the group will be the aim. They qualified runners-up, three points behind Belgium, winning six, drawing one and losing one, scoring 20 and conceding 6. They then drew away with Czech Rep 1-1 with a 90th min pen, then drew 1-1 at home and won 3-2 on pens after missing the first two.
Led by captain, midfielder and star player Lia Waiti, alongside Mandy Saendly and Coumby Sow. the experienced goalkeeper Gaelle Thalmann. Defenders Rachel Kiwic and Luana Buhler with experienced forwards Ann-Marie Crnogorcevic, Ramona Bachmann and possible one to watch Svenja Folmli.
GROUP D
FRANCE
ITALY
BELGIUM
ICELAND
France (rank 5) has been to the last six Euro finals but has failed to get past the QF’s in the last three, following not getting out of the group in the previous three, and have only been as far as fourth in any major finals. They qualified top, three points from Austria, winning seven and drawing one, scoring 44 and conceding 0.
They are led by the vastly experienced captain Wendie Renard with support from fellow defender Griedge Mbock Bathy, midfielders Charlotte Bilbault, Grace Geyoro and possible one to watch Ella Palis. Upfront, they have star player, striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who is supported by Delphine Cascarino, in an exciting French squad.
Having qualified for all but one of the 13 Euro’s that has been staged, Italy (rank 14) would have hoped for a better record than two runner-up finishes in 93 & 97. They will expect to do better than finishing bottom of the group in 2017. However, they did make it to the QF’s of the world cup in 2019. They qualified runner-up, three points behind Denmark, winning eight, drawing one and losing one, scoring 37 and conceding 5.
They will hope for good performances by captain and defender Sara Game. Goalkeeper Laura Giullani, midfielders Manuela Giugliano and possible one to watch Arianna Caruso, with star player, striker Cristiana Girelli, supported by Barbara Bonansea up front. Italy also has four debutants in their squad.
Playing in their second Euro finals in a row and only their second of any major tournament, Belgium (rank 19) will try to get out of the group this time. They qualified top, three points from Switzerland, winning seven and losing one, scoring 37 and conceding 5. They were denied a World Cup place by Switzerland in 2019, via a play-off.
They have a formidable forward line led by captain and star player Tessa Wullaert. Also, the qualifier top scorer and possible one to watch Tine de Caigney, along with the experienced Janice Cayman. This is added to impressive defender Amber Tysiak and the experienced Devina Philtjens with midfielders Julia Biesmans and Justine Vanhaevermaet.
Playing in their fourth Euro finals and fourth in a row, with their best being QF’s in 2013, Iceland (rank 16) will do well to get out of the group. They were one of the three teams to qualify automatically as runner-up in their group. They finished second, three points behind Sweden, winning six, drawing one and losing one, scoring 25 and conceding 5.
Led by the vastly experienced captain and star player Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir in midfield, supported Sveindis Jonsdóttir with defenders Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir and Hallbera Guðný Gísladóttir with possible one to watch Elín Metta Jensen providing the goals upfront.
SEMI FINAL PREDICTION
ENGLAND VS SWEDEN
NETHERLANDS VS GERMANY
FINAL PREDICTION
ENGLAND VS GERMANY
WINNER
ENGLAND
