Women’s Euros – Could it Be Time?
Posted by Rob Shepherd on Tuesday, May 16, 2017
I am already dreading a football free summer, the long tedious days when there is not a single bit of new football news on the BBC football website, no matter how many times you press F5!
On Facebook, all you get day after day is ridiculous transfer gossip that is never going to happen. “Messi to City deal done”, “Sergio Agüero agrees to shock Utd transfer”, “Wenger spends over £20 in a supermarket” and other click-bait articles. You fall for it a few times but after a couple of days you just yearn for the new season.
With this in mind, I desperately googled “summer sporting events” thinking could I find a new sport? Maybe the televised Tiddlywinks world cup in Norway might be interesting or even the annual cow tipping event in Norfolk? It was then I noticed that the Woman’s Euro 2017 finals are on this summer and will be held in the Netherlands. So here is everything you need to know about the competition.
Where and When is the Competition?
The opening fixture for the Women’s Euro 2017 is on the 16th July and the tournament is held in the Netherlands. The final will be held at the FC Twente Stadion on the 6th August. 16 teams take place in the finals and 31 games are played. The following venues are used;
Breda: Rat Verlegh Stadion – group games 17th, 20th, 23rd, 26th July; semi-final 3rd August
Deventer: Stadion De Adelaarshorst – group games 18th, 21st, 24th, 27th July; quarter-final 30th July
Doetinchem: Stadion De Vijverberg – group games 16th, 19th, 22nd, 25th July; quarter-final 29th July
Enschede: FC Twente Stadion – semi-final 3rd August; final 6th August
Rotterdam: Sparta Stadion – group games 17th, 20th, 23rd, 26th July; quarter-final 29th July
Tilburg: Willem II Stadion – group games 18th, 21st, 24th, 27th July; quarter-final 30th July
Utrecht: Stadion Galgenwaard – group games 16th, 19th, 22nd, 25th July
Who are in the Groups?
Group A: Netherlands (hosts), Norway, Denmark, Belgium
Group B: Germany (holders), Sweden, Italy, Russia
Group C: France, Iceland, Austria, Switzerland
Group D: England, Scotland, Spain, Portugal
What Games Should I Watch?
Based on FIFA rankings, group A should be a straight fight between Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. The Norwegians are the lowest ranked team at 11 but expect home advantage to sweep the Dutch into the next round. Belgium are likely to struggle in this group.
In Group B I see few surprises, current champs and world number one, Germany will be hot favourites. Sweden are likely to join them with a scrap between Italy and Russia for third.
In group C I see the French justifying their third position in the world rankings and easily winning this group. Anything could happen with the other three teams, Iceland (18th ranked), Austria (24th ranked), Switzerland (16th ranked).
Group D has some cracking fixtures! Scotland against the “auld enemy” England is bound to be a full-on affair. The Scots are ranked 21st but that usually doesn’t mean much when the best of frenemies meet on a football pitch. England v Spain is also likely to be a tempestuous match with neither team wanting to lose that one. With Portugal also in the group, the English lasses will have to start well to stand any chance of a Euro dream.
I must admit I was surprised to see that BBC had placed the final of the Woman’s FA Cup onto BBC 2, I feel this is the wrong message to send out. Could you imagine the BBC showing the men’s final on BBC2? No way! For women’s football to be fully embraced by the mainstream it needs to be on our screens but also on a more level playing field (excuse the pun) to the men’s game. I for one intend to watch the England games, no doubt I’ll report back on my experiences.
Euro 2017 Full Fixtures
Group stage (KO BST):
Sunday 16 July: Group A
Netherlands v Norway 18:00
Denmark v Belgium 20:45
Monday 17 July: Group B
Italy v Russia 18:00
Germany v Sweden 20:45
Tuesday 18 July: Group C
Austria v Switzerland 18:00
France v Iceland 20:45
Wednesday 19 July: Group D
Spain v Portugal 18:00
England v Scotland 20:45
Thursday 20 July: Group A
Norway v Belgium 18:00
Netherlands v Denmark 20:45
Friday 21 July: Group B
Sweden v Russia 18:00
Germany v Italy 20:45
Saturday 22 July: Group C
Iceland v Switzerland 18:00
France v Austria 20:45
Sunday 23 July: Group D
Scotland v Portugal 18:00
England v Spain 20:45
Monday 24 July: Group A
Belgium v Netherlands 20:45
Norway v Denmark 20:45
Tuesday 25 July: Group B
Russia v Germany 20:45
Sweden v Italy 20:45
Wednesday 26 July: Group C
Switzerland v France 20:45
Iceland v Austria 20:45
Thursday 27 July: Group D
Portugal v England 20:45
Scotland v Spain 20:45
Quarter-finals:
Saturday 29 July
Winner A v Runner-up B (QF1)
Winner B v Runner-up A (QF2)
Sunday 30 July
Winner C v Runner-up D (QF3)
Winner D v Runner-up C (QF4)
Semi-finals:
Thursday 3 August
QF1 v QF4
QF2 v QF3
Final:
Sunday 6 August 17:00