Euro 2022 Guide: Everything to know about Group C | OneFootball

After previewing Group B of this year’s European Championships, we turn our attention to the countries competing in Group C.

This guide features each country’s history, key players and a look at their opponents in the group stages.

Euro 2022 Group C: Sweden

By Alina Ruprecht

Sweden enters Euro 2022 as one of the heavy favourites. Ranked as the best national team in Europe, they will give their everything in the fight for the title.

In recent tournaments, the squad experienced a lot of setbacks and disappointing results. Therefore, the Swedish players finally want to crown their tireless effort on the pitch with a trophy.

Team History

With their previous form and success in mind, it might come as a surprise that Sweden won their last big title at the 1984 Euros. The side is always a candidate in the race for trophies. However, this wasn’t meant to be yet. In 2017, they exited the Euros after a defeat in the quarter-finals.

After this underwhelming result, Sweden found their way back to the big stage at the 2019 World Cup. After a narrow defeat in the semi-final against the Netherlands, they went on to beat England in the game for third place. The bronze medal sparked great euphoria among the team and fans all over Sweden.

Their success at the World Cup saw the Swedish team qualify for the 2021 Olympic games in Tokyo. Playing some of their best football, they made it all the way to the final. However, the game, which was supposed to be the glorious end of an outstanding campaign, turned into a nightmare for Sweden. Instead of winning the sought-after title and Golden medal, the side were beaten by Canada on penalties.

Now, the chase for the big title continues. Ahead of the Euros, Sweden are in excellent form. Not only have the squad grown in their qualities during the last years, but also mentally and as a group. They enter the tournament as one well-rehearsed unit, where every player feels included, no matter their game time.

Sweden’s squad depth hardly compares to those of the other National team’s. The players bring a lot of experience from previous tournaments, as well as flexibility when it comes to their position. Newcomers to the Swedish squad, such as rising star Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, already seem well integrated.

Sweden’s strength not only lies in their dynamic attacking play and world-class forwards, but also their solid backline. The players know each other very well and can rely on each other without a doubt.

Player to watch

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The Swedish team is full of world class players and not built around an individual. However, one player to watch is certainly Fridolina Rolfö. The versatile forward looks back at a successful season, both individually, as well as with club and country. Having won the award for Swedish Player of the Year, Rolfö also established herself at her new team in Barcelona.

She is an explosive and unpredictable player, who never shies away from a shot on goal. These often come from distance, Rolfö often scores with her left-foot. Apart from her shooting skills, the forward uses her speed to dribble around the opposite defenders and set up her teammates.

Outlook

Sweden have all that it takes to make it all the way at the Euros. Their unmatched team spirit, the individual quality on every position, as well as the constant drive for more success define the squad. No wonder they might lift the trophy at Wembley soon.

Euro 2022 Group C: Netherlands

By Bethany Fisher

Winning Group A to qualify for the tournament, the Netherlands have enjoyed a perfect qualification for this summer’s Euros. Winning all 10 of their qualifying games, Mark Parson’s side will join Sweden, Portugal, and Switzerland in group C as the tournament gets underway this week.

Team History

The team reached the semi-finals back in 2009 before going on to host the competition in 2017.  It was this tournament that would see the Dutch team lift their first Euros trophy. Group C could prove a tough challenge for the Dutch as they get their competition underway against Sweden who they defeated in the 2017 quarter-final.

This time however the team will be led by a different manager as Parsons prepares for his first major tournament with the Netherlands. The Dutch side had previously been led by Sarina Wiegman who became the new England head coach in September 2021.

Player to watch

Lieke Martens may well have become a household name whilst playing for Barcelona however the 29-year-old could well prove to be one of the most influential players in this summer’s tournament.

The midfielder has played at Spanish giants Barcelona since 2017. With a move to PSG on the cards, just what could Martens bring to the Dutch squad this summer?

Martens has bagged 54 goals over 133 national team appearances since making her senior debut in 2011. The midfielder could cause several issues for her opponents throughout the tournament.

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Outlook

The Netherlands are always in the conversation due to their win in 2017 and their second place at the World Championship. But in all honesty, they have been declining and meaning to rebuild. A younger squad with experience should be enough to make it out of the groups, but confidence is key and they don’t have a lot of that at the moment. Switzerland will be a formidable team and could be a problem going forward. Sweden is the strongest side in this group.

Euro 2022 Group C: Switzerland

By Marc Lamberts

Switzerland are dealt a difficult group with the Netherlands, Sweden and Portugal, but are not necesarily without chance of going through to the next round. Under head coach Nils Nelson – who lead Denmark to Euro 2017 final – they have build a solid team around some quality players.

You don’t qualify for Euro 2022 for nothing and if you are there, you might as well aim high. Switzerland have drawn tough competition, but know they are tough competition for the others as well. They have players from exciting clubs, a wealth of experience and the drive to really upset opponents.

Team History

Euro 2017 in the Netherlands was the first European championship the Swiss team managed to qualify for. They didn’t survive the group stage, but did well in qualifying rounds to qualify for the second time in their history for the Euros. They will be wanting to write some history in their second European championship ever.

Players to watch

Despite not having the biggest name internationally as a football country in the women’s game, the Swiss have produced great talent that will feature during Euro 2022. A remarkable miss is Alisha Lehmann, but there are three players I wanted to highlight for Switzerland.

For fans of the WSL, this doesn’t come as a surprise, but Lia Wälti is the driving force behind this squad, she is the engine that gets everyone going and the glue that keeps it together. Her influence on the football side as well as the mentality of the squad, is not to be underestimated. A great deep-lying playmaker.

The duo in attack have shown what they are capable of. Ramona Bachmann from PSG leads the attack and she had a great season, notably for that extra-time winner in the UWCL, that saw PSG win against Bayern München.

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Bachmann is joined by FC Barcelona versatile Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, who has played in several positions during the 2021/2022 season. She can play as a central forward, but also on the wing, as a wing back or winger. Together these two can pose a real threat to any defence and make life very miserable in doing so.

Outlook

With the Netherlands and Sweden in their group, at first, it doesn’t look like they will have the biggest chance of progressing out of the group. But, the Netherlands aren’t as good as they used to be in 2017-2019, and that weaker side could be exploited by Switzerland. If everything goes right for the Swiss outfit, they could knick second place – but it will be a tough one.

Euro 2022 Group C: Portugal

By Seònaid MacKenzie

Portugal will take the final spot in Group C at the European Championships this summer.

Team History

Portugal first appeared at the tournament in 2017; but the hope of a consecutive qualification looked all but gone when the team failed to secure a spot during the play-off vs Russia. When UEFA announced that Russia was no longer eligible to compete, however, Portugal was deemed the natural replacement.

Players to watch

The majority of the Portuguese National Team play in their native league – the Campeonato Nacional Feminino. The core of the squad appears for either Benfica or Sporting Lisbon.

Despite their last-minute inclusion, Portugal was among the first to announce which players would make the trip to England. Head coach Francisco Neto has selected a relatively young team for the tournament, including midfield talent Kika Nazareth, 19, and Andrea Jacinto, 20.

Youth will be balanced with experience, with the inclusion of defensive duo Ana Borges and Carole Costa — each of whom have amassed over 120 appearances for the national team.

Fans may also recognise Jessica Silva. Currently, at Benfica, Silva has played in five different countries throughout her career, including a two-year stint with European Champions, Lyon. The forward spent the 21/22 season in the NWSL with Kansas City Current, before returning to the Portuguese League.

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Outlook

As the final team in Group C, Portugal look set for a tough tournament. The group features defending champions, the Netherlands, alongside Olympic silver medallists, Sweden. Portugal will also face a competitive Swiss side, featuring Barcelona’s Ana-Maria Crnogorčević and PSG’s Ramona Bachmann.

Portugal failed to progress beyond the group stages in 2017. No doubt, the team will be looking to build on that this time around and qualify for the knock-out rounds.

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