To borrow a lyric from The Flight of the Conchords, it’s business time in the Women’s European Championship.
Four of Europe’s top six ranked teams made it through to the semi-final with England joined in the final four by Sweden, Germany and France.
England face Sweden in the first semi on Tuesday 26 July, with Germany and France in action the following night with a place in Sunday’s final at Wembley up for grabs.
Here are i‘s previews and predictions for both games:
England vs Sweden
- Tuesday 26 July, 8pm kick-off, Bramall Lane (BBC One 7.25pm)
In 2015, England reached a semi-final in a major tournament and lost; in 2017, England reached a semi-final in a major tournament and lost; in 2019, England reached a semi-final in a major tournament and lost; in 2022, England have reached a semi-final in a major tournament looking to go one better.
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After breezing through the group stage with an unblemished record and a goal difference of +14, Sarina Wiegman’s side encountered their first true test of this competition against Spain in the quarters. And they very nearly came unstuck.
There was an air of desperation about England’s salvage mission at the Amex last Wednesday: For long periods the Lionesses lacked any semblance of control, Spain’s players delved into their box of tricks, Wiegman chucked on one substitute after another, Millie Bright ended up in front. But they found a way.
Ella Toone’s equaliser was the product of England’s graft; Georgia Stanway’s magnificent extra-time winner a reminder of the individual quality this team has. Wiegman would have hoped for a more comfortable evening but winning ugly was more instructive and will ensure focused minds for the next challenge.
Given the impacts made by Toone and Alessia Russo against Spain, it will be interesting to see whether Wiegman sticks with the starting XI that has been unchanged throughout the tournament or opts to twist. Russo has looked more impactful in her cameo appearances than Ellen White up front, while Rachel Daly had a torrid time up against Marta Cardona in midweek.
Sweden themselves flirted with failure in the quarter-final and required a stoppage-time winner from Linda Sembrant to see off Belgium. VAR’s dreaded lines of doom denied Stina Blackstenius an opening goal that would have made things more comfortable and Nicky Evrard had the sort of game that goalkeepers dream about. Like England, though, they got there in the end and winning in such circumstances can only breed confidence.
England have failed to beat Sweden in any of their previous three matches, including in the World Cup third-place play-off final in Nice three years ago. The crowd willed the ball to go in against Spain and with very little to separate the two teams, home advantage might tilt the outcome in England’s favour in this one too.
i‘s prediction: England 2-1 Sweden
Germany vs France
- Wednesday 27 July, 8pm kick-off, Stadium MK (BBC One 7.30pm)
While each of England, Sweden and France progressed to the final four by narrow one-goal margins, Germany enjoyed a 2-0 victory against Austria which ensured that they are still yet to concede in this tournament.
The scoreline might suggest that it was a straightforward affair but the reality was that it was anything but. Merle Frohms’ goal lived a charmed life as the Austrians hit post or bar three times and both of their goals, in particular the second, were gifted to them.
Although Germany rode their luck it was far from a smash-and-grab. They rattled the woodwork twice themselves and put forward a miss-of-the-tournament contender when Klara Buhl inexplicably rolled an effort wide when it looked easier to score with the scoreline at 1-0.
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It’s an age-old cliché, but winning when not being on top form is the mark of champions and Germany also boast an in-form striker with Alexandra Popp netting in all four games.
Many tipped Germany to reach the semis before a ball had been kicked, but France were far trickier to predict. The French have been the great underachievers of the women’s game despite possessing an abundance of talent drawn from some of Europe’s most successful clubs. Their record at European Championships reads: Group stage, group stage, group stage, quarter-final, quarter-final, quarter-final.
Manager Corinne Diacre has been a polarising figure throughout her five years in charge but she has ended that hoodoo. Losing Marie-Antoinette Katoto to a serious knee injury was an enormous blow but France have managed to cope without the prolific striker so far, despite missing a litany of chances against the Dutch. They recorded 13 shots on target in total with Eve Perriset’s winner coming via the penalty spot.
Germany are regarded as the favourites to progress but France certainly have the tools to hurt them, particularly from set-pieces and on the counter-attack.
i‘s prediction: Germany 2-1 France
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