Women’s Euros: Group A & B Update | OneFootball

Eight teams. Two games in. Let’s see how Groups A & B are shaping up with this update. The winner of Group A plays the runner-up of Group B (and vice versa). As Spain are virtual locks on being top of B, it’s in a team’s best interests to win this group and avoid a next round embarrassment.

Group A

Group A Standings (Source: Wikipedia)

As you can deduce from the bold lettering, we already have two teams whose fate is known. Norway is guaranteed to advance, which is frustrating because they’ve been just north of awful on the field. The normally reliable Ada Hegenberg missed a penalty, and half of Norway’s goals were scored by the other team. Creatively, they’ve been flat, and even the cool runic-inspired font for their numbers and names can’t save them. I know good teams find ways to win, but surely some form of karma has to be taken into consideration? Right? Wrong.

Finland were the far superior team in their 2 – 1 loss, outshooting, out-possessing and out-hustling the Norwegians. They were undone by an own-goal and a freakish cross that got a lucky bounce off the post. But their fire and drive is not lacking, even if they can’t seem to catch all the breaks.

Iceland are already eliminated. They had the misfortune of Hlín Eiríksdóttir’s early red card in their debut match, which allowed the Finns to break them down and eke out a 1 – 0 win. Then they took on the host nation Switzerland and were, quite frankly, outplayed.

The Swiss have looked the real deal, particularly in the second half against Iceland. Substitutes Leila Wandeler and Alayah Pilgrim wreaked havoc on Iceland’s defense, as did Sydney Schertenleib from the striker’s spot. All three hare under 22 years old, ensuring that the Swiss future looks bright indeed. And given that only two host nations have ever failed to advance out of the group stage in Euros past, history is on their side.

Upcoming Matches & Predictions

Norway face Iceland in a true dead rubber match if there ever was. I sincerely hope to see better soccer from Norway than they’ve shown so far, though I would be equally satisfied to see Iceland go full viking on them, knocking them into the second qualifying position.

Finland vs. Switzerland should be a full-on banger of a match. With both teams tied on points, and the hosts with the edge in GD, Finland have to come out on the front foot.

Winner: Norway (though they don’t deserve it)Runner-Up: Switzerland

Group B

Group B Standings (Source: Wikipedia)

No joke, Spain are the team most likely to win this group, but also the whole thing. With eleven goals already scored in two games, they top the team and individual performance standings. Two Spaniards, Alexia Putellas and Esther González, have three goals each and will likely be battling it out for the Golden Boot. When Belgium managed to score a second goal against them and equalize the scoreline, Spain recovered and netted a goal less than two minutes later. That’s cold.

Belgium weren’t terrible against Spain today; Spain was just better. But they were uninspired and lethargic against Italy in their opener, and have paid the price for that complacency by suffering elimination.

Up until the 88th minute, Italy looked assured of locking down a ticket to the next round, courtesy of a truly stunning strike from captain Cristiana Girelli into the upper corner. But the scrappy ladies of Portugal had other plans. Despite having a Diana Silva goal called back for offsides, Portugal continued to press in the final moments of the game. In the 89th minute, seconds after they’d had a shot bounce off the crossbar, Diana Gomes received a cross from recent substitute Dolores Silva. Her resulting shot was a blooper that arced over the keeper and into the net, leveling the score at one apiece. With that crucial point, Portugal evaded elimination.

Upcoming Matches & Predictions

Spain vs. Italy. What was supposed to be an inconsequential kick around between two already-qualified teams got turned upside down. Italy now needs a result; at worst they REALLY need to keep the scoreline close. Spain could care less, but they’re so talented that even on half-speed they can dominate most teams.

Belgium vs. Portugal. I can’t believe I’m typing this, but Portugal actually has a chance. Mind you, it’s a very slim chance based upon them scoring LOTS of goals, and Italy conceding LOTS of goals. But hey, strangers things have happened at international tournaments.

Winner: Spain (natch)Runner-Up: Portugal (I love a good underdog story).