PREIVEW Women’s Euros 2022: England aiming to make history against Germany

PREIVEW: England aiming to make history against Germany at Women’s Euros

England will face off against Germany in the final of the Women’s Euros. The Lionesses will be looking to deliver their nation’s first piece of major international silverware since 1966.

To Win Match (90 Minutes)
England 27/20 | Draw 19/10 | Germany 19/10

Looking back at the semi-finals: Women’s Euros

England come into the final as favourites but were made to made to work hard in both the quarter-final against Spain and the semi-final against Sweden. Although the 4-0 win against the latter indicates a degree of comfort, the Lionesses endured a shaky opening 20 minutes before pulling clear.  

Sofia Jakobsson – making her first tournament start – almost put the Swedes ahead in the first minute. There were further chances for Stina Blackstenius and Fridolina Rolfo.

Blackstenius exploited a massive hole in England’s defence but couldn’t get a clean shot away with Mary Earps saving well to her left. Shortly after, Rolfo robbed Lucy Bronze of possession before blasting her shot into the side netting.

Beth Mead’s opener – admittedly against the run of play – would turn the tide in favour of England. Lucy Bornze added the second before Alessia Russo’s outrageous backheel finish made it 3-0. Fran Kirkby would grab the fourth will a well taken lobbed shot which just escaped the grasp of the Swedish keeper.

Germany, meanwhile, overcame a stacked French outfit as Alexandra Popp’s double cancelled out Merle Frohms freak own goal to book their ticket to Wembley.  

Popp’s opener was an outstanding piece of predatory finishing. She got inside of her marker to rifle Svenja Huth’s cross into the roof of the net. Their joy would be short-lived, however.

France struck back four minutes later through PSG forward Kadidiatou Diani. The 27-year-old received the ball on the edge of the box before unleashing a venomous strike that cannoned off the upright before flying in off the back of Frohms.

France would go close on two more occasions. Selma Bacha’s shot was easily dealt with by Frohms before the German stopper did well the block an excellent header from French skipper Wendie Renard.

Popp would take her tournament tally to six with a brilliantly taken header in the 76^th minute to setup a date with England. Incidentally, Popp and Mead are now tied on six goal apiece in the tournament- just another tasty subplot to keep an eye on as the sides prepare for Sunday’s showpiece fixture.

The final : Women’s Euros

While it’s perhaps not the final the neutrals wanted, Germany were full value for their win over France and deservedly get a crack at England in the final.

The hosts have yet to lose a match under the tutelage of Sarina Wiegman but have ridden their luck in the knockout stages of the tournament. They struggled against a Spanish side stripped of their star forward – and probably the best player in the world – Alexia Putellas, needing extra time to claim the win.

They got out of the blocks slowly on Tuesday against Sweden before eventually taking control of the game. The Germans will no doubt look to start strong and test hosts’ resolve early doors. An early German goal will sew anxiety through the home crowd and put the pressure firmly on a nation who so desperately crave a major international trophy.

In Popp they have a devastating forward who is making up for lost time after injuries ruled her out of the 2013 and 2017 editions of the tournament. Her energy and drive seemed to carry Germany at times against France, making decisive contributions on both ends of the pitch.

That said, they do offer opposition teams plenty of chances. A more clinical France probably would have won on Wednesday evening. Austria hit the woodwork on three occasions in their quarter-final.

Verdict: England 27/20

Considering that Germany do give opposition sides a sniff. England at their free-scoring best should be able to take advantage of any chances the Germans gift them.

I’m on England to get the job done in the 90. They’ve been unplayable at times in this tournament and have all of the necessary weapons to blitz the Germans. Get on at 27/20.