Sweden, champions of the inaugural Women’s EURO in 1984, are still among the competition’s favorites 38 years later, while reigning champions the Netherlands will also want to start their tournament on a positive note.
Portugal vs Switzerland: the underdogs of the group look for points on the board
Both Portugal and Switzerland head into Saturday’s match as Group C underdogs, and will want to calm some tournament nerves with their first points.
Portugal made the tournament after Russia was expelled after the invasion of Ukraine. It is his second major tournament as he also featured at Euro 2017, with coach Francisco Neto aiming for a better performance this time.
“Our goal is to play better than in 2017. It was always going to be a difficult start for us in this group, no matter who we faced in the opening game,” he said.
“We know that Switzerland is the closest team to us in the rankings. They have players plying their trade at the best clubs in Europe and it is a team that we fully respect, but we know that we have our own strengths that will allow us to lead.” in the game full of confidence, and we can compete with them.
“A win would give us a big boost and calm our nerves ahead of the other group stage games.”
Switzerland were one of the last teams to qualify for Euro 20222, and they did so in spectacular fashion in a penalty shootout against the Czech Republic in April 2021.
“We had a lot of games in between, and now we’re realizing it’s finally starting,” Arsenal and Switzerland defender Noelle Maritz said. Everyone is giving it their all in training and we’re looking forward to the first game.”
Switzerland’s Noelle Maritz is looking forward to the first match of the European Championship
Switzerland coach Nils Nielsen added: “It is incredibly important, especially in a group like ours, that the first game gives us at least one point so that we are still in the tournament.
“If we lose the first game, it will be a very difficult task to get through the group.
“They’re going to attack us, I’m pretty sure. It’s part of their game that they can stay low and attack with fewer players than a lot of the other teams. That’s a quality, but it can also be a problem when they have to change their strategy during the game”.
Netherlands vs Sweden: Old foes meet again in heavyweight clash
Vivianne Miedema (right) is the great player to watch for the Netherlands
Unsurprisingly between two of the giants of women’s football, Saturday’s clash is not the first time these two have met in a major tournament.
It is the Netherlands that have come out on top in recent years, beating Sweden in the Euro 2017 round of 16 en route to victory in the tournament, and in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals.
And Sweden’s Magdalena Eriksson is looking for revenge, saying: “For me, it’s a little extra fuel, I want a little bit of revenge. I want a good result against the Netherlands for many different reasons, and it adds a little fuel to the fire.”
However, Arsenal midfielder Stina Blackstenius will not start against the Netherlands. Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson said: “One of our strengths in previous tournaments has been the medical team. They give me the exact number of minutes a player can play, and we’ll see after today.” [Friday’s] training.
“But if I said she would start, no one would believe me, so it’s fine for me to say how it is. I think it’s also a bit alarming for the Netherlands to know she’s there, but not how much.” play or what harm she can do.”
Stina Blackstenius will not start against the Netherlands
The Netherlands began their pre-Euro preparations with a 5-1 loss to England, before successive wins against Belarus and Finland, keeping successive clean sheets.
Netherlands coach Mark Parsons said: “We will not start the tournament as the best, and I think we have accepted that. But we really believe in our qualities and that every minute and every game we play together will only make us stronger.”
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We take a look at some of the Super League Women’s stars who will be looking to make their mark at Euro 2022
“They know the quality of Sweden and have a lot of respect for them, but we also see a lot of opportunities. Sweden were probably the best team in the Olympics, although they fell short, and they have done well to keep moving forward.”
“It is a team with a lot of experience, with great communication on and off the pitch. We will have to give our best.
“We have one or two players that we will find out about. [their fitness] today, but things look positive. We’ll have to go through training. We are in a position that we could have expected three and a half weeks ago.”
Follow Euro 2022 through Sky Sports
Stay up to date with the latest from Euro 2022 via Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.
Coverage will be provided by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, along with Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. For their part, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will give analysis throughout the tournament.
They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.
Pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women’s Euro 2022 mobile presentation bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where the matches are played.
In addition, Sky Sports’ Essential Football Podcast will change its name for the tournament to Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast from June 21. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews, as well as robust tournament programming.
Eurocopa 2022: The groups…
Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland
B Group: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
Eurocopa 2022: The calendar…
group stage
Wednesday July 6
Group A: England 1-0 Austria
Thursday July 7
Group A: Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland
friday july 8
Group B: Spain 4-1 Finland
Group B: Germany vs Denmark – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium
saturday july 9
Group C: Portugal vs Switzerland – kick-off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Group C: Netherlands vs Sweden – kick-off 8pm, Bramall Lane
sunday july 10
Group D: Belgium vs Iceland – kick-off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Italy – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
monday july 11
Group A: Austria vs Northern Ireland – kick-off 5pm, St Mary’s
Group A: England v Norway – Kick-off 8:00pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
tuesday july 12
Group B: Denmark vs Finland – kick-off 5pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany vs Spain – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Wednesday July 13
Group C: Sweden vs Switzerland – kick-off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Netherlands v Portugal – Kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Thursday July 14
Group D: Italy vs Iceland – kick-off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Belgium – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
friday july 15
Group A: Northern Ireland v England – kick-off 8pm, St Mary’s
Group A: Austria vs Norway – kick-off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
saturday july 16
Group B: Finland vs Germany – kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Denmark vs Spain – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium
sunday july 17
Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands – kick-off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Sweden vs Portugal – kick-off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
monday july 18
Group D: Iceland vs France – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
Group D: Italy vs Belgium – kick-off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
knockout stage
Quarter finals
Wednesday July 20
Quarter Final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B – kick-off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Thursday July 21
Quarter-final 2: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium
friday july 22
Quarter Final 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D – kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Quarterfinals 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C – kick-off 8 pm, New York Stadium
semifinals
tuesday july 26
Semi-Final 1: Quarter-Final Winners 1 v Quarter-Final Winners 3 – kick-off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Wednesday July 27
Semi-Final 2: Quarter-Final Winners 2 v Quarter-Final Winners 4 – kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Final
sunday july 31
Semi-final winners 1 v Semi-final winners 2 – kick-off 5pm, Wembley