We take a look at the teams still in contention for success at UEFA Women’s EURO 2022: how they reached this stage as well as their tournament pedigree.
Best of Women’s EURO: Finalists (1984, 2009)
Women’s EURO 2017: Semi-finals
Previous Women’s EURO semi-finals
08/04/1984: England 2-1 Denmark (Crewe) & 28/04/1984: Denmark 0-1 England (Hjørring, aggregate: W3-1)
11/06/1987: Sweden 3-2 England (ap, Moss)
11/12/1994: England 1-4 Germany (Watford) & 23/02/1995: Germany 2-1 England (Bochum, agg: L2-6)
06/09/2009: England 2-1 Netherlands (ap, Tampere)
06/08/2017: Netherlands 3-0 England (Enschede)
Group A winners
England 1-0 Austria (Old Trafford) – Mead 16
England 8-0 Norway (Brighton & Hove) – Stanway 12pen, Hemp 15, White 29 41, Mead 34 38 81, Russo 66
Northern Ireland 0-5 England (Southampton) – Kirby 41, Mead 45, Russo 48 53, Burrows 76og
Quarter-finals
England 2-1 Spain (ap, Brighton & Hove) – Toone 84, Stanway 96
History so far: A record 14 unanswered goals in the group stage was a statement, but in their quarter-final encounter with Spain, England were second best in terms of possession, accuracy, energy and of competence. Resolve, character, Millie Bright’s commitment to defense and Sarina Wiegman’s savvy back-ups got them through, and Georgia Stanway’s spectacular overtime winner will have instilled in them the belief that they can go all the way. .
key player: Beth Mead lit up the group stage with five goals, and if she remained quieter against Spain, the Arsenal striker’s pace and trickery will unsettle all opponents. His markers will note that his mark skill pulls players out and then uses his close control to cut inside to pass or shoot. Wiegman exploited the breadth offered by Mead and Lauren Hemp to great effect; expect England to do it again in the semi-finals.
how they play: England started every game in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Mead and Hemp impressive on the wings, but when they trailed against Spain Wiegman showed his unorthodox plan B. She brought in Alex Greenwood for Rachel Daly and moved back to a back three, moving the versatile Bright from defense to attack. Once England had a lead to protect, Bright returned to the bottom four.
Best of Women’s EURO: Winners (1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013)
Women’s EURO 2017: Quarter-finals
Previous Women’s EURO semi-finals
28/06/1989: Germany 1-1 Italy (ap, Germany won 4-3 in pens, Siegen)
11/07/1991: Italy 0-3 Germany (Frederikshavn)
30/06/1993: Italy 1-1 Germany (ap, Italy won 4-3 at the bullpen, Rimini)
11/12/1994: England 1-4 Germany (Watford) & 23/02/1995: Germany 2-1 England (Bochum, aggregate: W6-2)
07/09/1997: Sweden 0-1 Germany (Karlstad)
04/07/2001: Germany 1-0 Norway (Ulm)
15/06/2005: Germany 4-1 Finland (Preston)
09/07/2009: Germany 3-1 Norway (Helsinki)
24/07/2013: Sweden 0-1 Germany (Gothenburg)
Group B winners
Germany 4-0 Denmark (Brentford) – Magull 21, Schüller 57, Lattwein 78, Popp 86
Germany 2-0 Spain (Brentford) – Bühl 3, Popp 37
Finland 0-3 Germany (Milton Keynes) – Kleinherne 40, Popp 48, Anyomi 63
Quarter-finals
Germany 2-0 Austria (Brentford) – Magull 25, Popp 90
History so far: Germany remain the only team not to concede a goal in this final, and they looked strong and focused, although they suffered a tough test in the quarter-finals by an aggressive Austria, who did not not allowed to control the game. Germany’s willingness to defend hard got them across the line, while clinical finishing made the difference at the other end: a theme of their campaign to this day. However, the challenges only get harder.
key player: The team is full of stars, but the collective has been the most successful, with players from each line showing an endless desire to help each other. Defenders scored goals, wingers fall back to defend, with the experience of Marina Hegering, Svenja Huth and Alex Popp providing stability and allowing youngsters like Klara Bühl and Lena Oberdorf to move freely.
how they play: Germany form in a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation, play high pressing and attack in numbers when the time comes. They look to drive down the flanks and deliver balls into the box, where Popp or Lea Schüller offer a significant aerial threat. Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side like to have the ball but – as they showed against Spain in the group stage – they can also play a patient game and wait for their chances.
Best of Women’s EURO: Winners (1984)
Women’s EURO 2017: Quarter-finals
Previous Women’s EURO semi-finals
08/04/1984: Italy 2-3 Sweden (Rome) & 28/04/1984: Sweden 2-1 Italy (Linköping, aggregate: W5-3)
11/06/1987: Sweden 3-2 England (ap, Moss)
28/06/1989: Sweden 1-2 Norway (Lüdenscheid)
26/02/1995: Norway 4-3 Sweden (Kristiansand) & 04/03/1995: Sweden 4-1 Norway (Jonköping, aggregate: W7-5)
07/09/1997: Sweden 0-1 Germany (Karlstad)
04/07/2001: Denmark 0-1 Sweden (Ulm)
16/06/2005: Norway 3-2 Sweden (ap, Warrington)
24/07/2013: Sweden 0-1 Germany (Gothenburg)
Group C winners
Netherlands 1-1 Sweden (Sheffield) – J Andersson 36
Sweden 2-1 Switzerland (Sheffield) – Rolfö 53, Bennison 79
Sweden 5-0 Portugal (Wigan & Leigh) – Angeldal 21 45, C Costa 45+7og, Asllani 54pen, Blackstenius 90+1
Quarter-finals
Sweden 1-0 Belgium (Wigan & Leigh) – Sembrant 90+2
History so far: Sweden are here to win the EURO; they made that clear from day one. While their early performances didn’t quite live up to their pre-tournament talk, Peter Gerhardsson’s side grew in the tournament. The depth and versatility of the squad has been key so far, with players covering several absentees in various positions without the team’s overall performance suffering unduly. Sweden have qualified for the last four, but you feel they still have a lot to do to improve their game. They will need it if they want to go all the way.
key player: The greatest strength of the Swedish teams is always the collective, this mentality more than the sum of our parts. But if there’s one player who stood out a bit more, it would be Kosovare Asllani. No one has provided more assists at Women’s EURO 2022, and their footwork and intelligence have been a hallmark of the Swedish game. The captaincy raised their game again against Portugal and Belgium, when they replaced the unavailable Caroline Seger.
how they play: Gerhardsson says he’s an expert at changing his mind and likes to keep his counterpart on his toes. You never know if he will opt for a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3. This can also change – and often does – as the game progresses. One thing that doesn’t change is the responsibility for a smooth attack with plenty of pace and quick thinking. Another of the team’s biggest strengths is set pieces, which they work on before every game.
Best of Women’s EURO: Semi-finals (2022)
Women’s EURO 2017: Quarter-finals
Previous Women’s EURO semi-finals
N / A
Group D winners
France 5-1 Italy (Rotherham) – Geyoro 9 40 45, Katoto 12, Cascarino 38
France 2-1 Belgium (Rotherham) – Diani 6, Mbock Bathy 41
Iceland 1-1 France (Rotherham) – Malard 1
Quarter-finals
France 1-0 Netherlands (ap, Rotherham) – Perisset 102pen
History so far: The progress from the group stage was first spectacular – five goals before half-time against Italy including a hat-trick from Grace Geyoro – then serene, except for the loss of Marie-Antoinette Katoto on injury. Lyon striker Melvine Malard stepped in against Iceland and scored in 43 seconds. In their quarter-final against the Netherlands, they dominated but needed extra time to dethrone the defending champions. After six consecutive knockout stages, Les Bleues have finally qualified for a EURO semi-final; now they seek a first competitive victory against Germany.
key player: Katoto may be out, but her Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kadidiatou Diani remains, operating on the right with a fearsome attack that combines speed, skill and trickery. At only 27, she won her 75th cap against the Netherlands on Saturday, and if she finds the net, Germany are in trouble: France have won the 15 games in which Diani has scored a goal.
how they play: Corinne Deacon employs a 4-3-3 formation, usually with Diani and Delphine Cascarino out and Malard taking the central role from Katoto, but with Selma Bacha (who can also play at full-back), Sandy Baltimore and Ouleymata Sarr as options. The midfield trio have been flexible so far, with the selfless Charlotte Bilbault and the usual imposing starter Geyoro.
Evergreen Wendie Renard brings together the back four, often alongside Griedge Mbock Bathy, with the Lyon duo flanked by new Chelsea right-backs Ève Périsset and Sakina Karchaoui. Goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin has had many years as an on-and-off understudy for club and country but is now the first choice between the positions for France, fresh off a stellar season with Juventus.
Comments are closed.