WOMEN’S EURO 2022 BREAKDOWN
UEFA / Soccer
Written by Aaron Cantin
England is solely hosting a major international football tournament for the first time in 17 years this summer, as Women’s Euro 2022 takes centre stage in what promises to be a competition like the women’s game has never seen before.
Attendance records will be smashed during the event, with the cumulative attendance from the previous Euros in Holland in 2017 (240,045) likely to be more than doubled this summer - with more than 500,000 tickets sold by the time the first match kicked off last Wednesday.
Source (Background Photo): Getty Images
On the pitch, there are many different possibilities for this tournament. A strong argument can be made for six squads to hoist the trophy when all is said and done. For those unaware, this tournament features four groups of four totaling 16 European nations. Let’s look at the top contenders and who I see lifting the trophy at the end.
Source (Background Photo): UEFA
England
World ranking: 8th
England have deployed a 4-3-3 system under Wiegman, but that is usually adapted into something resembling a 4-2-3-1 with Manchester City’s Keira Walsh and Arsenal’s Leah Williamson deployed in a double pivot of holding players in midfield. They play out from the back, on the floor, and their biggest threats come down the flanks, with Lauren Hemp on the left and options including Beth Mead or Chloe Kelly on the right wing.
Prediction: Runners up
Germany
World ranking: 5th
Despite the absence of injured Lyon midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan and Chelsea’s Melanie Leupolz, who is having a baby, the Germans remain very strong in midfield and Voss-Tecklenburg’s variable 4-3-3 is their most likely setup. Fun fact - Germany was European champions for 8,162 consecutive days between March 26 1995 and their elimination from the quarter-finals of Euro 2017. After taking down Spain 2-0 earlier this week in the group stage the sky is the limit for this squad.
Prediction: Champions
Spain
World ranking: 7th
Expect possession-based football with this side, passing the ball out from the back through Mapi Leon and dominating the play with their midfield three, the Barca trio of Alexia, Aitana Bonmati, and Patricia Guijarro. Many experts predicted Spain to hoist the trophy at the end but their 2-0 defeat to Germany changes that tremendously.
Prediction: Semi-finals
Holland
World ranking: 4th
The Dutch will deploy a 4-3-3 formation and opponents should watch out for Wolfsburg’s versatile former Arsenal forward Jill Roord, who can switch between attacking midfield and the wide forward positions and makes dangerous runs from deep. It will be interesting to see how quickly fit-again former Arsenal midfielder Danielle van de Donk resumes a regular spot back in the starting side, having recently recovered from Achilles surgery. The dutch are defending champions so they will be a tough out, but I don’t expect the orange to make it two in a row.
Prediction: Quarterfinals
Sweden
World ranking: 2nd
Sweden has not lost a match over 90 minutes since the pandemic began and they will not concede many goals with a solid back four. Going forward, the pace and athleticism of Fridolina Rolfo out wide is a major threat, and the midfield has a mixture of youth and vast experience, led by 37-year-old Caroline Seger.
Prediction: Shocking semi-finals exit
France
World ranking: 3rd
France is set to continue with the 4-3-3 system that is familiar to their dominant domestic sides Lyon and PSG, whose players makeup almost half of Diacre’s squad. The unity behind the international team is certainly something to add but I have my doubts it will be enough. The level of talent in the tournament in unlike any in the past and I see France paying a price.
Comments