In less than one week's time UEFA Women's EURO 2022 kicks off with Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, taking place just two days later on the 8th July.
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 promises to be the biggest women’s sporting event in European history, and it makes its way to Milton Keynes Dons’ Stadium MK this summer from 8th July. Finland will be playing all their group-stage fixtures here and will be joined by Spain, eight-time- winners Germany and the 2017 Women’s EURO runners-up Denmark.
Each of the four teams won their qualification group, and so if ever there was a group truly deserving of the tag ‘Group of Death’, then this is it.
Finland
Finland are back in the UEFA Women’s Euro finals for the first time in 9 years after disappointingly missing out in 2017. An impressive qualifying campaign saw Finland qualify as group winners remaining unbeaten in a difficult group which included Scotland and Portugal. The Boreal Owls will have a tougher test in the finals as they play Spain, Denmark and Germany in the noted ‘group of death’ at Stadium MK.
Fixtures
Friday 8th July – vs Spain | 6pm KO Stadium MK (Click here to Secure your tickets)
Tuesday 12th July – vs Denmark | 6pm KO Stadium MK (Click here to Secure your tickets)
Saturday 16th July – vs Germany | 9pm KO Stadium MK (Click here to Secure your tickets)
FIFA World Ranking: 28
Women’s Euro Best finish: Semi Finals (2005)
Head Coach: Anna Signeul
Captain: Tinja-Riikka Korpela
Key Player – Natalia Kuikka
Three time winner of Finland’s Player of the Year award, Kuikka plays her football in the USA with Portland Thorns. The midfielder has spent most of her career in North America being a Florida State graduate, but Natalia Kuikka also spent time in Sweden.
Key Player – Linda Sallstrom
Leading the line for Finland at Stadium MK will be Vittsjo GIK forward Sallstrom. Despite having suffered three serious injuries the 33 year old is Finland’s all-time top goal scorer, she found the net 10 times in qualifying. At domestic level Sallstrom spent most of her time in Sweden and Finland as well as four years in France with Paris FC scoring 82 times in her club career.
One to Watch – Eveliina Summanen
The 24 year old made here Finland debut in 2017 since achieving 34 caps and signed for WSL side, Tottenham Hotspur, playing 10 times as Spurs finished fifth. Summanen played a key role in HJK’s Finnish women’s Cup win in 2017. Despite not scoring yet for Tottenham, the hard working midfielder has an eye for the spectacular having scored plenty from distance. One to keep an eye on.
Finland's team have a long history but were seldom close to reaching major tournaments before they made the last eight-team UEFA Women's EURO in 2005, also in England, surprising Russia in the qualifying play-offs and then making it all the way to the semi-finals ahead of Denmark and the hosts. They were also quarter finalists as 2009 hosts, losing a thriller to England, but had to go through some years of transition, missing out in 2017 before their resurgence to reach the 2022 finals. Hopefully they replicate their qualifying form and enjoy success at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 at Stadium MK.
Spain
The 2022 Arnold Clark Cup finalists go into Euro 2022 as the pre-tournament favourites despite only having made the semi-finals of a major European tournament on one previous occasion, all the way back in 1997. The expectation comes from the club success of the players and notably FC Barcelona, who have won three consecutive women’s La Liga titles and two consecutive Champions League Finals, winning the treble in 2020/21. Much of that squad will likely feature for Spain at Stadium MK this July.
Despite Spain's success at club level in recent times, their national side might be considered underachievers given their best performance at a Women's EURO is a semi-final spot 25 years ago. They reached the round of 16 at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup but will have higher hopes for this summer's tournament.
‘La Roja’ qualified for Euro 2022 in style, as group winners, unbeaten by winning all but one game. Spain also only conceded a single goal whilst scoring an incredible 48, the joint highest in qualifying.
Fixtures
Friday 8th July – vs Finland | 6pm KO, Stadium MK (Click here to Secure your tickets)
Tuesday 12th July – vs Germany | 9pm KO, Brentford
Saturday 16th July – vs Denmark | 9pm KO, Brentford
FIFA World Ranking: 7
Women’s Euro Best finish: Semi Finals (1997)
Head Coach: Jorge Vilda
Captain: Irene Paredes
Key Player – Alexia Putellas
The current Ballon D’or winner has been unstoppable at both Club and Country level. The midfielder has been key in FC Barcelona’s treble win in 2021. Following an injury to fellow attacker Jenni Hermoso, which rules her out of Euro 2022, Putellas will have to be on top of her game. Her ability stands above anyone in world football currently in the number 10 position. Her dribbling, passing, shooting and vision is unmatched and will look use it to propel Spain following an impressive 2021/22 season where she registered 61 goals and assists in just 52 games.
Key Player – Irene Paredes
The skipper for Spain this July plays at the heart of the defence and will be alongside her FC Barcelona partner, Mapi Leon. In 2021 Paredes helped PSG to their first, long awaited, league title before returning to Barcelona. The 30 year old contributed to 20 clean sheets in the Barcelona back line, she will have to be solid at the back to stop the attacking prowess of Germany, Finland and Denmark in the group stages.
One to Watch – Aitana Bonmati
At just 24 years old, the midfielder is one of the hottest prospects in world football right now and isn’t looking to slow down any time soon. One of 10 Barcelona players in the Spain squad, Bonmati is a huge source for goals and assists having scored 17 goals this past year, including one in a player of the match performance in the UEFA Champions League Final. An eye for a goal and pass, one to watch this summer.
Spain may not have an illustrious history at international level. However, there is no denying Spain are stacked with talent and are in the middle of a ‘golden generation’. Look out for this incredible group of players this July, they could be potential winners of UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.
Denmark
Denmark are back at the UEFA Women’s Euros after not qualifying for the 2019 World Cup under controversial circumstances, meaning the EURO 2017 runners up will be looking to go one better this summer. Spearheaded by the one time world record signing, Pernille Harder of Chelsea, Denmark will look to support their star player with younger, hungry, and talented up and coming stars.
‘The Red and White’ were one of the early adopters on women’s football, winning European and world titles in the 1970s as well as making the inaugural EURO Semi finals in 1984 as well as the first World Cup quarter final in 1991. Despite not appearing at the World Cup since 2007, Denmark have consistently been a feature at the EUROs.
The Scandinavian country qualified for EURO 2022 as Group winners, remaining unbeaten having scored the joint most goals in qualifying (48) along with group members, Spain, who also scored 48. The Danes will have to be at the fine and free scoring best to get out of what is expected to be the trickiest group.
Fixtures
Friday 8th July – vs Germany | 9pm KO, Brentford
Tuesday 12th July – vs Finland | 6pm KO, Stadium MK (Click here to book tickets)
Saturday 16th July – vs Denmark | 9pm KO, Brentford
FIFA World Ranking: 25
Women’s Euro Best finish: Runners-Up (2017)
Head Coach: Lars Sondergaard
Captain: Pernille Harder
Key Player – Pernille Harder
Team captain and all-time record goal scorer, Harder has enjoyed success at club level. The 29 year old has been a main stay in the Denmark side since the age of 16, when she made her debut. The attacking midfielder found the net 12 times last season with 7 assists as her club, Chelsea, won the Super League and FA Cup double. The two time UEFA Women’s Player of the Year will look to fire Denmark out of a tough group.
One to Watch – Katherine Kuhl
At just 18 years old, the Central midfielder is the rising star people are talking about. Playing her football at Nordsjaelland, Kuhl is one of Denmark’s next big stars. A technical midfielder who plays with no fear has already, at just 18, made that centre midfield spot her own in the Denmark squad.
One to Watch – Emma Snerle
One of four Women’s Super League players in the Denmark squad, Snerle plays her football with West Ham United, recently signing for the east London club. The 21-year-old has been labelled as the next Pernille Harder, showing similar traits and qualities. The ability to break through the lines and the ability to play a number of positions puts Snerle on the teamsheet in a variety of positions.
Germany
The eight time European champions will look to return to the top of European football after a shock exit in EURO 2017. ‘Die Nationalelf’ won six consecutive European championships from 1995 to 2013, cementing their place at the top dominating women’s football for 20 years. Last time out in 2017 they were knocked out at the quarter finals, their worst ever EUROs performance.
A relatively new look Germany is expected at EURO 2022 with a mixture of youth and experience looking to return Germany to the top once more. Germany are a strong all round team, the Bayern Munich trio of Lea Schüller, Klara Bühl, and Sydney Lohmann are all very highly rated whilst 19 year old Jule Brand has recently signed for Wolfsburg.
Germany qualified for EURO 2022 as group winners, unbeaten by winning all eight of their matches. An incredible 46 goals whilst only conceding one cemented their place in Group B, playing their last game at Stadium MK
Fixtures
Friday 8th July – vs Denmark | 6pm KO, Brentford
Tuesday 12th July – vs Spain | 9pm KO, Brentford
Saturday 16th July – vs Finland | 9pm KO, Stadium MK (Click here to book your tickets)
FIFA World Ranking: 5
Women’s Euro Best finish: Winners (1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013)
Head Coach: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg
Captain: Alexandra Popp
Key Player – Lea Schuller
Lea Schuller can be described as one of the most well-rounded forwards in women’s football. The Striker plays her football with Bayern Munich and at just 24 there is plenty more to come at International Level. Schuller has already netted 25 times in 38 appearances for Germany.
Key Player – Svenja Huth
Svenja Huth has led the line for the Germany National team for a number of years now but the 31 year old is still showing she can be an impactful force in attack. 30 goal involvements in just 44 appearances in 2021/22 for Wolfsburg and Germany shows she can show her creativity at the top of the pitch.
One to Watch – Lina Magull
Often goes unnoticed, 27 year old Lina Magull, is one of the most underrated players in this Germany side. Magull, is one of the most creative players in Europe playing at the centre of many attacks. One of eight Bayern Munich players in the squad who helped stop the domestic dominance of Wolfsburg.
Germany has an illustrious history on the European women’s football scene having been European champions a record eight times, as well as winning the world cup twice. Despite this, their recent EURO performances, notably in 2017, have been poor. Germany will look to be back at their best this Summer.
