🔎 Women's EURO Group D: three favourites for two quarter-final spots | OneFootball

With three heavyweights of European football and a debutant with hunger, this group promises excitement and uncertainty. Only two will advance, so every point will be vital.

⭐ A Player from Each Team to Watch

📸 VALENTINE CHAPUIS - AFP or licensors

🇫🇷 Kadidiatou Diani (France). With the departure of key players like Wendie Renard, Eugénie Le Sommer, and Amandine Henry, Diani takes on the offensive leadership of Les Bleues. The Lyon forward, with over a hundred international matches, combines speed, dribbling, and scoring ability. Her role will be crucial for France to maintain its ambition of reaching a first continental final under the guidance of Laurent Bonadei.

🏴 Beth Mead (England). The Arsenal attacker is redefining the English attack. She was the top assister and co-scorer of Euro 2022, where she shone with six goals and four assists. Mead brings imbalance on the wing and opportunism in the area, making her the main offensive threat for England. After a tough recovery from injury, she arrives in top form to try to repeat the title.

🇳🇱 Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands) The Dutch star returns to a major tournament after overcoming a serious knee injury. Her scoring ability and vision make her an indispensable piece in a team that needs her best version to compete against elite rivals. If Miedema reaches her usual level, she can change the course of the group and lead the Netherlands to the top.

🐉 Jess Fishlock (Wales) The 38-year-old midfielder is the heart of Wales. With an impeccable career and leadership on and off the field, she was instrumental in the team's qualification with goals, assists, and character. Fishlock will be key to guiding a debutant team in the tournament that will seek to compete bravely against three giants.

❌ The Most Notable Absences

France has surprised by leaving out some of its most iconic figures, such as Wendie Renard, Amandine Henry, or Eugénie Le Sommer. The coach is betting on a renewal that has sparked debate among fans. England, on the other hand, faces the Euro without its star goalkeeper, Mary Earps, and without Millie Bright, pillars in the defense of the European title. In their place, players like Hannah Hampton or Lotte Wubben-Moy take center stage.

In the Netherlands, all eyes are on the physical condition of Miedema. Although she has made the list, she arrives with few minutes accumulated this season. Wales maintains its backbone, but several veteran players have not been called up due to technical decisions or physical issues, leaving Fishlock as the only undisputed leader of the group.

🗓️ The Most Important Match of This Group

France – England (July 5, Zurich)

The clash between the French and the English will be one of the great duels of the entire group stage. The current European champions want to start strong in a tournament that demands from the first minute, while France seeks to prove that the renewal has not diminished competitiveness. Beyond the symbolic, the winner of the match could secure their passage to the quarterfinals and also avoid a strong opponent in the next phase. A clash with the scent of an early final.

📊 Who Are the Favorites to Advance to the Quarterfinals?

England starts with a slight advantage. Its experienced squad, reinforced by young players with hunger, gives continuity to the success achieved in 2022. Although the renewal in defense and goalkeeping may raise some doubts, its offensive talent remains top-notch. France, despite the absence of some veterans, maintains a very competitive lineup with players like Diani, Geyoro, or Katoto, and has the arguments to fight for the top spot.

Netherlands is an enigma. If Miedema is physically well, the team can compete for everything, but the wear and tear of several important figures and the recent inconsistency of the team raise doubts. Wales, as a debutant, starts from behind. Even so, it has a generation that has grown together, a solid coach like Gemma Grainger, and an emotional leader like Fishlock. Their goal will be to compete and, if possible, fight for third place.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

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