Phew! How exciting was the group stage! A few surprises and teams really making a statement of intent for the rest of the tournament.
Who had England breaking records scoring 8 unanswered goals against Norway?
How about Portugal coming back twice from 2-0 deficits?
Or Finland scoring in the first minute against Spain?
I know I didn’t but there’s lots I didn’t predict given how poorly my Fantasy Team is going…
Ah well, maybe I can make an immense finals run like some of the remaining teams will be hoping.
Featured Image by Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY 4.0
England v Spain
Where: Brighton
When: Wednesday 20 July, 8:00pm GMT
How they got here
It’s hard to say what the most impressive part of England’s Euros to date is, scoring 14 goals or conceding zero. I’d hazard to say the three clean sheets have impressed me the most and defense will win championships in the knock-out stage. Many thought their biggest test would be Norway’s attack but the England press, possession, and attack never allowed them to get a look in.
Spain’s Euros has been rocky to say the least with many Spaniards questioning Vilda’s selections and tactics. First, losing their two most experienced players and highest goal scorers in a before the tournament, whether Hermoso could have made it back in time is open for debate… Second, conceding early goals against both Finland and Germany, and only getting a late winner against Denmark. Third, all their goals from open play have been headers, a very unusual stat for a team who love playing ball to feet and look like they want to walk the ball into the back of the net. La Roja are looking more and more like pretenders than contenders this Euros.
If both teams play the way they have during the group stage there is only one possible result, which is an England win and I fear it could be a blow out with Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead running riot around Spain’s fullbacks. The one thing going for Spain is that they have have been equal to England in recent history including a 0-0 draw in the Arnold Clark Cup this year and a 1-0 victory in the SheBelieves Cup in 2020. However, the goal in the 1-0 victory was scored by Alexia Putellas and assisted by Jenni Hermoso, both missing from the Spain squad.
Predictions
El (@grasseasons): 3-0 England
Marran (@youngmarran): 5-1 England (I’m not English so can make wild predictions)
Rosie (@shorty2694): 3-1 England
Germany v Austria
Where: Brentford
When: Thursday 21 July, 8:00pm GMT
How they got here
Germany have been stellar this Euros, for a team who was questioned for their consistency and defense heading into the tournament they have proven to be one of the most consistent teams with the best defenses. The Germans seem to have the best midfield trio at the tournament with Oberdorf, Magull, and Däbritz and have one of the most potent attacks with seven different goal scorers, the most rhus far.
Austria have been miserly in defense only conceding against England in the first group match. Since then they have gone 254 minutes without conceding. Conversely, Austria have only scored 3 goals in the group stage, two against Northern Ireland and one against Norway. I doubt this will worry Austria, at the last Euros they went to penalties in the quarter and semi-finals on the back of 0-0 results and only conceded one goal in the whole tournament.
Despite being neighbours, the two sides have only met twice in their history the first in 2016 (4-2 win to Germany) and the second in 2018 (3-1 win to Germany). However, the two teams will be very familiar with each other as many of the Austria squad play in the Frauen Bundesliga. Expect a very structured game from both sides, with Germany having more possession. Although my heart wants Austria to win, my head is saying that this German side will be too good for them.
Predictions
El (@grasseasons): 2-0 Germany
Marran (@youngmarran): 2-0 Germany (I want to say 0-0 penalty win but Germany is too good)
Rosie (@shorty2694) 3-0 Germany
Sweden v Belgium
Where: Leigh
When: Friday 22 July, 8:00pm GMT
How they got here
Sweden have had a interesting group stage. I think many, myself included, thought Sweden would have been much more comfortable winning the group. However, they got the job done in the end and are a side who knows how to navigate these big competitions. The Swedes seem to be a team which is peaking at the right time and they found their goal scoring boots against Portugal in the last match, and the Netherland draw seems an eon ago. The boost of Blackstenius at full fitness will give Swedish fans confidence heading into the knock out stage.
Belgium were the best of the rest in Group D, securing their spot in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Italy in the final match. The Red Flames have managed to score in every match thus far including a phenomenal goal against France. Goalkeeper Nicky Evrard has also been exceptional saving penalties against Iceland and France. In the preview, the question Belgium needed to answer was if their defense could keep goals out and they more than did that against Italy to seal their spot in the knock-outs.
Sweden should feel confident heading into this match and could possibly have the easiest match up this round. I couldn’t find any info about previous match-ups, but Sweden have not lost in regulation time in last two years, whereas Belgium have prepped well playing England in the warm-ups.
Predictions
El (@grasseasons): Sweden
Marran (@youngmarran): 3-0 Sweden
Rosie (@shorty2694): Sweden
France v Netherlands
Where: Rotherham
When: Saturday 23 July, 8:00pm GMT
How they got here
France started super strong against Italy but waivered slightly against both Belgium and Iceland. France will be without superstar Marie-Antionette Katoto, who unfortunately tore her ACL against Belgium. Les Bleus will be aiming to make their first semi-final in Euros history, they have gone out of the tournament in the quarter-finals in the last three editions.
The Netherlands will be hoping that Vivianne Miedema will be back for the quarter-finals, the Dutch all-time leading goal scorer missed the last two group matches due to COVID-19. Miedema’s absence hasn’t been the only one with captain Sari van Veenendaal sustaining a shoulder injury in the first match. However, her replacement Daphne van Domselaar has been supremely impressive considering she only had one cap prior to subbing in against Sweden. Van Domselaar’s 1v1 saves against Switzerland is one of the highlights of the tournament so far.
France and the Netherlands met earlier this year during the Tournoi de France. The game was a 3-1 victory to the French with goals from Renard, Katoto (2) and Beerensteyn. Of the quarter-finals, this might be the biggest goal-fest and if the speedy France attack can take advantage of the young Dutch defense the match will likely swing in favour of the Blues.
Predictions
El (@grasseasons): 4-2 France
Marran (@youngmarran): 3-2 France
Rosie (@shorty2694): 4-1 France