Ten things to know about UEFA Women’s EURO 2017
1 When and where is a tournament?
The foe starts on Sunday and runs until 6 Aug in a Netherlands. The host cities are Breda, Deventer, Doetinchem, Rotterdam, Tilburg, Utrecht and Enschede, where a final will be played during FC Twente Stadion. Tickets are still on sale, yet some games are sole out.
2 When was a foe initial played?
The initial contest ran from 1982 to 1984, and a fourth book was a initial to be postulated championship standing by UEFA. The foe altered from biennial to any 4 years in 1997 to equivocate clashes with a FIFA Women’s World Cup. The initial foe finished in a two-legged final, with a final contest augmenting to 4 teams (1987 to 1995), 8 (1997 to 2005) and 12 (2009 and 2013) before an enlargement to 16 this time around.
3 Who has won a competition?
Germany have been dominant, winning in 1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013: 8 times in all, including a final 6 editions. Sweden took a initial pretension in 1984 and Norway won in 1987 and 1993. The usually other nations to strech finals have been England (1984 and 2009) and Italy (1993 and 1997).
4 Who is holding part?
In a initial 16-team finals, a Netherlands were assimilated by a 15 nations that came by qualifying, that started in Apr 2015: 14 from a groups and Portugal, who beat Romania in a play-off. Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Scotland and Switzerland have competent for a initial time.
5 How does a foe work?
The teams have been separate into 4 groups, with a tip dual from any surpassing to a quarter-finals. The knockout proviso starts on 29 July.
6 What are a groups?
Listing a teams in seeding sequence …
Group A: Netherlands (hosts), Norway, Denmark, Belgium
Group B: Germany (holders), Sweden, Italy, Russia
Group C: France, Switzerland, Iceland, Austria
Group D: England, Spain, Scotland, Portugal
7 Which teams are favourites?
Champions given 1995, Germany naturally are a group to beat, generally after winning their initial Olympic bullion endowment final year. After that, manager Silvia Neid (in assign given 2005) stepped down to be transposed by Steffi Jones, who won this foe as a defender in 1997, 2001 and 2005. Although pivotal players from past tournaments have late or are injured, Germany have a strength in abyss second to nothing and players entrance by who have won many general girl honours.
France are sloping as Germany’s strongest challengers with a patrol dominated by Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain, who played in this year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final. They have depressed in a final dual quarter-finals on penalties, building a repute for underperforming, though Les Bleues showed their ability by winning a clever SheBelieves Cup in March, violence England and universe champion hosts a United States while sketch opposite Germany.
Norway, runners-up final time, and Olympic china medallists Sweden are always among a contenders, while England were a best European performers during a 2015 Women’s World Cup, violence Germany for bronze. Spain and Switzerland have hugely gifted squads, while a Netherlands could advantage from home advantage.
Of a others, Denmark will imagination their chances of negotiating Group A, where Belgium are outsiders. Italy have never unsuccessful to strech a final eight, though it will be tough to finish above Germany and Sweden, not to discuss Russia. Iceland are in their third uninterrupted finals and can plea Switzerland in Group C, even if it will be formidable for Austria. Injury-hit Scotland and Portugal will not find it easy in Group D. The opening derby day on 19 July, when England and Spain accommodate their neighbours, will give us a clue.
8 Who are a players to watch?
Here are only a tiny preference …
Vivianne Miedema (forward, Netherlands) – a inclusive striker recently sealed for Arsenal and is pivotal to a hosts’ hopes.
Ada Hegerberg (forward, Norway) – the reigning UEFA Best Women’s Player in Europe was joint-top scorer in subordinate with 10 goals and now seeks general honours to supplement to her bar prizes with Lyon and particular baubles.
Dzsenifer Marozsán (midfielder, Germany) – plenty of a Germany patrol could have featured though Lyon playmaker Marozsán is executive to their chances.
Hedvig Lindahl (goalkeeper, Sweden) – if a Chelsea screw can perform like she did during a Olympics, Sweden have a outrageous opportunity.
Wendie Renard (defender, France) – France have a resources of aggressive talent though their high captain is a stone during a behind and can cocktail adult with goals during set pieces.
Ramona Bachmann (forward, Switzerland) – one of several Switzerland players able of a game-changing performance.
Jill Scott (midfielder, England) – pushed into a some-more aggressive purpose by manager Mark Sampson, a high Scott has turn executive to England’s play.
9 Are there any order changes in a competition?
There are two trials holding place: sides will be authorised to use a fourth surrogate in additional time, while yellow and red cards can be released to group officials in technical areas. The chastisement shoot-outs will follow a normal pattern, distinct a ‘ABBA’ experiments in girl tournaments this season.
10 How can we follow a tournament?
On UEFA.com: We will have live compare blogs from any diversion among a extensive coverage.
On TV: UEFA’s promote partners around a world.
On social media: follow with @UEFAWomensEURO on Facebook and Twitter and join a review with #WEURO2017.