First steps: how a Women’s EURO debutants got on
BELGIUM
How they did: Opened Group A with a 1-0 detriment to Denmark, profitable for a delayed start as they conceded in a sixth minute. The Red Devils were incompetent to turn notwithstanding looking some-more than a compare for their gifted opponents as a diversion went on. “We started off with too most honour for Denmark and in astonishment of a finals so during half-time we told them not to uncover Denmark that most respect,” pronounced coach Ives Serneels. “I was unapproachable of how most appetite they gave and it’s a empathize we didn’t equalise.”
Can they make it? On Thursday they take on a Norway team prickly to rebound behind from a 1-0 retreat of their own, opposite a Netherlands, in what was a unsatisfactory arrangement by a 2013 runners-up. Belgium did kick Norway 3-2 in a 2015 accessible and a compare leader that day, Tessa Wullaert, will again be a executive figure for Serneels’s side after her untiring arrangement on Sunday.
AUSTRIA
How they did: Furiously pulpy their approach to a surprise 1-0 delight opposite Switzerland, recording a country’s lass attainment during a EURO final contest (male or female). Forward Nina Burger took her possibility good early on and Dominik Thalhammer’s side – on entrance during a women’s comparison final contest – hold organisation thereafter. “We’ve worked for many years towards this,” pronounced a coach. “Our opinion was glorious from a start and Switzerland played into a hands with a open inlet of their game.”
Can they make it? Absolutely. Although facing favourites France on Saturday is a tough ask, a final tie opposite Iceland is winnable for an Austria side unexpected relishing their self-proclaimed loser status. Thalhammer got a high-pressing strategy mark on initial time turn and his charges took full advantage of Swiss mistakes. He and his players will have to repeat a attainment during slightest once some-more to strech a final eight.
SWITZERLAND
How they did:Â Tipped as dim horses entrance into a tournament, a Swiss struggled on Tuesday and lost 1-0 to a hard-running Austria side, notwithstanding a intrepid late convene following Rahel Kiwic’s dismissal. “We done too many errors and got into a downward spiral,” pronounced manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. “We weren’t anywhere nearby where we wanted to be. It wasn’t what I’d expected.”
Can they make it? The game opposite Iceland on Saturday is critical for both nations. The Swiss have to – and will – improve, yet with hotly-tipped France to play on Wednesday, a win opposite a Nordic outfit is a must. If that is to happen, though, gifted Chelsea brazen Ramona Bachmann and gifted Wolfsburg midfielder Lara Dickenmann will have to step up.
PORTUGAL
How they did: A 2-0 better by neighbours Spain was not a entrance they would have wanted, yet it was a gutsy opening nonetheless opposite one of a dim horses for a tournament. Francisco Neto set his side adult to perplex and they did only that. However, Spain’s vigour and category eventually told as they took advantage of dual lapses in thoroughness to secure all 3 points within a initial 45 minutes. Their second-half arrangement was most softened as they stood adult to Jorge Vilda’s group and they will take certainty from that.
Can they make it? It will be difficult, generally given how good associate Group D opponents England looked as they swatted Scotland aside. You never know with football and Portugal will positively take heart from a fact they face their associate debutants subsequent and should they get a 3 points there, it will go down to a wire. But for Portugal, a critical thing is a training routine for destiny success and even if they do not make it, only removing to a Netherlands was a genuine feat in itself.
SCOTLAND
How they did: OK. They done story by subordinate yet set an hapless second record opposite a misfortune probable opponents, pang a tournament-high 6-0 detriment to England. They battled hard, yet blank regulars Kim Little, Jennifer Beattie, Emma Mitchell and Hayley Lauder they did not have a weapons to understanding with an England group who finished in lethal fashion. To remove a subsequent star in line, Jane Ross, to a shoulder damage frequency helped.
Can they make it? A win opposite Portugal is a must, with Lauder presumably to lapse even if Ross is set to skip out. They have beaten Portugal in a new past so attainment is possible; some-more formidable will be a assembly with their nemeses from a 2013 play-offs, Spain, who started really good on Wednesday.