UEFA Women’s Euro: Group D Match Guide | OneFootball

The “D” stands for “Death”, as in, Group of Death. Yeah, it’s trite but very accurate.

Group D Overview

The Euros champions from 2017 (Netherlands) and 2021 (England) get paired up with one of Europe’s strongest teams of the last decade (France) and a tournament debutante (Wales). Crikey but it’s a tough group. It’s simply inconceivable that one of the Netherlands, England and France will not advance.

Wales vs. Netherlands

12pm ET @ Swissporarena, Luzern, Switzerland Watch on FOX

Ignore a sleeping dragon at your peril. Or in the case of Wales, a rising dragon. As one of two tournament debutantes (the other is Poland), and having drawn a brutally challenging group, global expectations are low. That’s how Wales likes it. Manager Rhian Wilkinson has molded and shaped this Welsh team into a defensively stalwart unit that can unleash quick attacks. In their five losses since last July, only one has been by more than a single goal (a 4 -1 defeat to Italy). They’ve held Sweden to 1 – 1 draws twice. Olivia Clark, their goalkeeper, is young but precociously talented. Seattle Reign teammates Angharad James and Jess Fishlock have a combined 294 caps and 53 goals. They are the heart and soul of this Welsh side.

As a fan, it pains me to write that this Netherlands team ain’t all that and an order of patat frites. They had to wait until their final qualifying game, a 1 – 1 draw at Norway, to punch their Euros ticket. Their record is far better on paper than in reality; they concede too many goals and haven’t been their usual ruthless selves on the attack. With many familiar faces from the 2017 championship side, the Leeuwinen aren’t terribly youthful but have loads of experience. Injuries have ravaged the usual roster, though, and I expect to see quite a bit of rotation. Advancing from this group would be a major achievement, but this initial match is a must win if they want to have any chance.

France vs. England

3pm ET @ Stadion Letzigrund, Zürich, Switzerland Watch on FOX

France are the strongest team coming into this tournament based on recent form. They won all six of their Nations League ties by a combined scoreline of 14 – 2. They were the first country (outside of host Switzerland) to qualify. Yet they are also a team that has switched up their roster, excluding longtime faces like Wendy Renard and Eugénie Le Sommer. It’s important to note that France has never lifted a major tournament trophy despite being one of the strongest UEFA teams over the last two decades. Banishing that duck is a priority.

As defending champions, England are under a load of pressure. The recent retirement of keeper Mary Earps leaves a huge gap to fill by replacement Hannah Hampton. Fran Kirby and Millie Bright are out; Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway are back from injury; their match fitness is questionable. The rest of the Lionesses seem primed and ready and their recent form has been strong despite two recent losses to Belgium and Germany. It cannot be over emphasized how critical NOT losing this match is to their title defense.