With France’s victory in Group D already settled, the fight to join them in the quarter-finals rages between Italy, Iceland and Belgium as the group stage draws to a close.
Iceland v France, Rotherham, kick off 8pm
France can metaphorically stick the kettle out – not too far from the home of Yorkshire Tea – after securing their place as Group D winners with two wins from two ahead of their final group game with Iceland at Rotherham.
But Corianne Deacon’s 16-game winning streak hasn’t been built without the kind of winning mentality that won’t let that happen, even against an Iceland side desperate for a result to progress.
Les Bleus de Deacon have impressed so far and ahead of a guaranteed quarter-final with the Netherlands on Friday, will want to continue their role as away favorites in the tournament by preparing well to face the defending champions.
Learning to live without Marie-Antoinette Katoto after the tournament-ending injury she picked up against Belgium will be of major importance for Deacon, whose side appeared shaky in that 2-1 win after losing the PSG striker, who scored 28 goals. in 32 international selections.
“I believe we can do something big,” was Icelandic coach Thorsteinn’s message Halldorsson in his pre-match press conference, with Iceland already going one better than their Euro 2017 pick up a point against Italy last time out.
The main aim for the minnow nation at Euro 2022 was to win a game – and although they led against Belgium and Italy, they have yet to do so. A point – or even a one-goal loss – may would be enough on Monday to send them off, but would also rely on the other two teams in the group to draw.
Perhaps midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir summed it up best, saying: “It’s football. Anything can happen.”
Italy v Belgium, Manchester (City Academy Stadium), kick-off 8pm
The winner is not far off taking it all at Manchester City Academy Stadium on Monday night. Three points for Italy or Belgium will likely put them in the last eight, to face Sweden, as long as France don’t lose to Iceland. A draw could do that too, alongside a win for France.
These two sides enter their final group game having drawn with Iceland and lost to France, although the 5-1 humiliation of Italy by the group winners was rather more complete than the setback 2-1 to Belgium on Thursday.
While Italy manager Milena Bertolini sought to ease the pressure on his side and said he had faced more “important” games in the past, his counterpart Ives Serneels was less careful with his language.
“We can really start in this tournament. It will be a historic day for Belgian women’s football. And I’ll be honest, if we don’t qualify for the next round, I will be very disappointed,” he told reporters. journalists.
Belgium had never reached the knockout stages of the European Championships before, while Italy were quarter-finalists in 2009 and 2013 before collapsing at this stage in the last tournament five years ago.
Should either side pull off the feat of making it past the group stages this time around, a monumental challenge awaits them in the last eight, in the form of defending champions Netherlands.
Follow Euro 2022 on Sky Sports
Catch up on all the latest Euro 2022 news on Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.
Coverage will be anchored by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will provide analysis throughout the tournament.
Italy came from behind to draw with Iceland but have just one point in their first two games
They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.
Pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women’s Euro 2022 mobile presentation bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where the matches are taking place.
Additionally, Sky Sports’ Essential Football Podcast will be rebranded for the Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast Tournament from June 21. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews in addition to a solid tournament programme.
Belgium were edged out by France in their last game after a better performance in their first draw against Iceland
The knockout phase…
Quarter-finals
Wednesday July 20
Quarter-final 1: England – Spain – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Thursday July 21
Quarter-final 2: Germany-Austria – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium
friday july 22
Quarter-final 3: Sweden v Second Group D – Kick off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Saturday July 23
Quarter-final 4: France v Netherlands – Kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Semi-finals
tuesday july 26
Semi-final 1: Winner Quarter-Final 1 v Winner Quarter-Final 3 – Kick-off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Wednesday July 27
Semi-final 2: Winner Quarter-Final 2 v Winner Quarter-Final 4 – Kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Final
Sunday July 31
Winners Semi-Final 1 v Winners Semi-Final 2 – Kick-off 5pm, Wembley
What has happened so far…
Group stage:
Wednesday July 6
Group A: England 1-0 Austria
Thursday July 7
Group A: Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland
Friday July 8
Group B: Spain 4-1 Finland
Group B: Germany 4-0 Denmark
Saturday July 9
Group C: Portugal 2-2 Switzerland
Group C: Netherlands 1-1 Sweden
Sunday July 10
Group D: Belgium 1-1 Iceland
Group D: France 5-1 Italy
Monday July 11
Group A: Austria 2-0 Northern Ireland
Group A: England 8-0 Norway
tuesday july 12
Group B: Denmark 1-0 Finland
Group B: Germany 2-0 Spain
Wednesday July 13
Group C: Sweden 2-1 Switzerland
Group C: Netherlands 3-2 Portugal
Thursday July 14
Group D: Italy1-1 Iceland
Group D: France 2-1 Belgium
friday july 15
Group A: Northern Ireland 0-5 England
Group A: Austria 1-0 Norway
Saturday July 16
Group B: Finland 0-3 Germany
Group B: Denmark 0-1 Spain
Sunday July 17
Group C: Switzerland 1-4 Netherlands
Group C: Sweden 5-0 Portugal
Monday July 18
Group D: Iceland vs France – kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Group D: Italy v Belgium – Kick off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
