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Women's Euro 2022: One week until kick-off at Old Trafford

by
Joe Nelson
Wednesday 29 June 2022 14:34

This summer’s UEFA Women’s European Championship is almost upon us and, in just seven days, on Wednesday 6 July, hosts England get the tournament under way against Austria at Old Trafford.

Ahead of next week’s curtain-raiser, here is another opportunity to familiarise yourself with which Reds are involved in the competition, and how their nations are shaping up going into the tournament.

OUR THREE LIONESSES

Sarina Wiegman’s England squad features three Reds: Mary Earps, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo.

The trio have all made a mark in the build-up to the tournament, with Earps looking to have consolidated the no.1 spot as her own, and Toone and Russo both making an impact off the bench in recent weeks.

Last time out, England defeated reigning European champions the Netherlands 5-1, as Toone and Russo joined the fray just after the hour mark. The former got on the scoresheet with a delightful, curled finish, while the latter provided the assist for Beth Mead’s second goal of the game in the closing stages.

Speaking to BBC Sport last week, Toone looked ahead to playing for her nation. She said: "I think what I’ll bring to the England team is hard work and that little bit of freedom and bravery, plus hopefully scoring a lot of goals. It’s just the beginning."

The Lionesses face Switzerland away in their final warm-up match on Thursday evening, before getting their Euro 2022 campaign under way against Austria at the Theatre of Dreams next Wednesday.

REIGNING CHAMPION

United midfielder Jackie Groenen is part of the Netherlands squad who are looking to retain the trophy they won in 2017.

Groenen was on the receiving end of that 5-1 thumping by England on Friday, but the Oranje have the opportunity to rediscover their form against Belarus tonight, and then Finland on Saturday ahead of the Euros next week.

The reigning champions begin their defence of the trophy next Saturday against Sweden.

NORWEGIAN DUO

Maria Thorisdottir and Vilde Boe Risa are both in the Norway squad for this summer’s Euros and could line up against some of their Reds team-mates when Norway face England on 11 July.

Norway are in good form coming into this summer’s tournament, defeating New Zealand 2-0 on Saturday and winning their last three matches in all competitions.

Our Norwegian United duo get their Euros campaign under way against Northern Ireland on 7 July but have a final warm-up fixture away to Denmark to contend with tomorrow.

SPANISH STALWART

Our Spanish full-back Ona Batlle played the full 90 minutes of Spain’s 7-0 demolition of Australia on Saturday and faces Italy on Friday in the final fixture before Euro 2022.

Batlle’s nation face Finland on 8 July, and they look to be building up a head of steam ahead of this summer’s tournament.

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