Assessing the 7️⃣ sides that could win Euro 2022 | OneFootball

Euro 2022 begins on Wednesday and it is going to be wide open.

At least seven sides could realistically win the tournament. But who are they and what will be central to their bids for success?

England

Captain: Leah Williamson

Arsenal defender and England midfielder, Williamson is captaining the side at a tournament for the first time but there are still question marks on where she will line up.

Key player: Keira Walsh

If there is one obvious gap in the England squad, it’s that area in front of the backline. Walsh is the only true holding midfielder in the squad and will have huge responsibility in front of the defence but behind a star-studded attack.

Young star: Lauren Hemp

The obvious choice, Hemp is a fantastic dribbler, a fine finisher, and unselfish to a fault. One of the best wingers in the game at just 21.

What’s the big question?

Where will Williamson play and will she help stop counter-attacks? With so much attacking talent, balance is the big question and Williamson has usually played in midfield under Sarina Wiegman but lined up in defence against Switzerland last week.

Norway

Captain: Maren Mjelde

The Chelsea defender isn’t the biggest but you wouldn’t be able to tell when watching her play. She has fought back from a bad knee injury to feature and will want to make the most of it after missing so much football.

Key player: Caroline Graham Hansen

Obviously there’s Ada Hegerberg but Graham Hansen deserves similar recognition. Her trickery and vision have made her undroppable at Barcelona and she has carried the nation’s dreams with Hegerberg absent in recent tournaments.

Young star: Celin Bizet Ildhusøy

The half-Cuban striker has not played much for PSG this season but has four goals in five games for the national team. One to keep an eye on when she gets on the pitch.

What’s the big question?

How will they gel? Hegerberg is back but that also means fitting her back in after a long time away from the international scene. Will she hit it off with Graham Hansen, Guro Reiten and Ingrid Engen?

Spain

Captain: Irene Paredes

Former PSG captain and now a leader at Barcelona, where Paredes has formed a formidable partnership with Spain team-mate Mapi León. They could be the backbone for Spain’s run.

Key player: Aitana Bonmatí

Alexia Putellas is out and her Barcelona team-mates will now be shouldering all of the midfield burden. Patri Guijarro is superb at the base and Bonmatí is a superb dribbler and incisive passer. They were already crucial to Spain’s hopes but that’s even more the case now.

Young star: Clàudia Pina

Spain lack an obvious goalscorer and the Barça youngster could be the answer, if she gets enough of a chance to shine.

What’s the big question?

How do they cope without Putellas? Real Sociedad’s Amaiur Sarriegi was surprisingly ignored despite netting 17 league goals last season but is now in the squad and could have a big role to play.

Germany

Captain: Alexandra Popp

Another who has returned from serious injury, Popp is back fit and that after missing thee 2013 and 2017 competitions through injury. Germany’s star player of the last decade, Popp is a superbly unselfish forward, strong and dangerous in the air.

Key player: Lena Oberdorf

A midfielder who can do it all, Oberdorf featured at the 2019 World Cup but is still just 20. Oberdorf is a tough-tackling midfielder who has the tenacity to play centre-back but the talent to play as a creative midfielder. She will be the heart of this team for a long time.

Young star: Jule Brand

Germany’s next big thing, Brand is a superb offensive midfielder or winger who will inject flair and creativity into the side.

What’s the big question?

Can they survive the tough draw? If Germany qualify from the group they are likely to face either England or Norway in the quarter-finals. It doesn’t get much tougher and it could mean an exit before the semis.

Netherlands

Captain: Sari van Veenendaal

The goalkeeper shone at the 2019 World Cup, winning the Golden Glove. A superb shot-stopper built for the big international stage.

Key player: Jill Roord

As with Spain, we’ve gone with the Robin to the big name’s Batman. Vivianne Miedema is a spectacular goalscorer but just as good at creating for her team-mates. An attack-minded midfielder with superb movement, Roord should benefit more than anyone else.

Young star: Esmee Brugts

Just 18, Brugts is the only player under 21 in the squad but was a regular for PSV this season and has already netted at international level, earning six caps to date.

What’s the big question?

Since Wiegman left last year there’s a feeling the Netherlands have lost their way. This summer probably comes a bit too soon for them.

Sweden

Captain: Caroline Seger

With 230 international caps, nobody comes into this tournament with as much experience. Has won silver at two Olympic Games and finished third at two World Cups. This could be her last shot at winning a major competition.

Key player: Magdalena Eriksson

Swedish football tends to be built on defensive solidity and Eriksson provides plenty of that plus quality on the ball. If they go far she will be at the heart of their success.

Young star: Hanna Bennison

Signed by Everton last summer, Bennison is four years younger than any other Sweden player. As hard-working as she is talented, the midfielder could play a big role.

What’s the big question?

There are goals in this Sweden team — they boast Stina Blackstenius, Kosovare Asllani, Fridolina Rolfö, Lina Hurtig — but they have often played defensive football. Can they get the maximum out of all of their big names?

France

Captain: Wendie Renard

The France and Lyon legend is one of the biggest stars in the women’s game. An impeccable defender with a jaw-dropping goal record, Renard is crucial at both ends of the pitch.

Key player: Marie-Antoinette Katoto

Goals. Goals. Goals. Goals change games. Goals win games. Marie-Antoinette Katoto scores goals. The 24-year-old scores all types of them and has scored them at a rate of one per game, more or less, for club and country for years.

Young star: Selma Bacha

At just 21, Bacha has already played over 100 times for all-conquering Lyon. An attack-minded left-back, she might not see too many minutes but she had a deadly delivery and is a very solid defender. A name to remember.

What’s the big question?

Can the midfield cope without Amandine Henry? Leaving the Lyon star out of the squad was a huge call and will be seen as the main reason if France struggle.