Favorites: England

who else England logically leave Group A marked as favourites. At home, Zarina Wigman’s men will push Northern Ireland to Old Trafford against Austria, Amex against Norway and St Mary’s Stadium against Austria. Semifinalists of Euro 2017 and World Cup 2019, where they upset the Americans, Lionesses Approach the tournament with confidence. Unbeaten since Wiegman took over as coach (twelve wins, including one 20-0 and two draws against Latvia), they were thrashed 5-1 by reigning European champions Netherlands at Elland Road. A preparatory match, of course, does not reflect the actual level difference between the two countries, but it confirms the English strike force. Ahead of the quarter-finals against Germany, Spain and Denmark, the margin should be enough to leave the group without a jolt.

Future surprise: Austria

What if Irene Furman’s players come to score their two centuries in this Group A? Austria is coming from nowhere after holding against the France team in October 2020 (0-0). Last November they lost only one goal against England (1-0). Match against Denmark in June (1-2). Fascinating, The Red-White-Red In front of the Blue team at Euro 2017, they topped their group before being knocked out by Denmark in the semi-finals. They will be led by Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger. Serial Scorer Nicole Billa, and of course Sarah Sadrasil, when she’s not juggling a unicycle, sends potatoes in a Bayern jersey. The calendar worked out well, because if logic was more or less respected, Austria could play for second place on the final day against Norway. It’s impossible to dismiss the idea of ​​seeing her type a fang at this Euro. Even without Nina Burger.

I-@DonaldTrump. League des Champions semi-final second leg. No words. @FCBfrauen pic.twitter.com/KhveMP5NF6

— Jasmina Schweimler (@Jass Schweimler) May 2, 2021

Player to watch: Caroline Graham Hansen

Many eyes will be on Ada Hegerberg, who returned to selection in April. But Caroline Graham Hanson will have something to do if the Norwegian striker shines in the competition. Scorer in the Champions League final with Barca in 2021, the winger is used to boxing and delivering caviar after caviar. “Undoubtedly the best player in the world” , said her compatriot Maren Mjelde. However, she had to stop her wobbly dribbles last fall. Graham Hansen had to undergo extensive tests after suffering chest discomfort when he left the field against Real Sociedad. Result: Cardiac Arrhythmia, which the player fortunately managed to recover from with treatment. “Probably the most surreal month of my career” She says on Instagram, “Between Denial and Disbelief” And hopefully “Good Luck” . The Norwegian star had that and was able to pick up the thread of her story, especially by hitting a hat-trick in the final of the Spanish Super Cup. Ten goals in qualifying (only Belgian Tin de Caigny did better), she should still have A Golden Graham in this group.

?? L ????? Carolyn Graham Hansen __________ #UWCL | @Caroline Graham H pic.twitter.com/wN3o7PGkGs

— UEFA.com in Spanish (@UEFAcom_es) April 29, 2022

Stadium to find: St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton

St Mary’s Stadium, which was taken over by Southampton Football Club in 2001 and is named after the club’s founding church, has been on Dell’s lawn for more than a century. 200 meters from the building, the river crosses the Hampshire, next to the Itchen, cave. Saints There are 32,500 places. Adjacent to the stadium between Melbourne Street and Britannia Road are two massive gasometers, built in 1909 and 1935 respectively, and the arrangement is unusual. Two relics of the industrial age, whose days are probably numbered, as their demolition is regularly debated by local authorities. St Mary’s Stadium is set to host Northern Ireland’s three matches after seeing off the likes of Theo Walcott, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Sadio Mane and James Ward-Prowse. In order, against Norway (July 7), Austria (July 11), then England (July 15). He had already hosted Lionesses On September 17, for the first match of the Wiegmann era, it ended in an 8–0 loss to North Macedonia. We pray to St. Mary to see many goals.

Story to highlight at tea time

Like the air of the Coupe de France. Euros neophyte Northern Ireland presents itself for its first major tournament with a team far removed from some of the Armadas. “I think they should make a movie out of it, I’m seriousCoach Kenny Shiels said on the evening of the qualifier. Most of our players are amateurs and most of them are working. We have nurses, a prison guard and one works at B&Q (a brand dedicated to DIY and decorations) Another at Lidl. What they did was amazing. » Nadene Caldwell, scorer in the play-off against Ukraine, works at the Nightingale Hospital in Belfast. Joined by Lauren Wade Family business Undertakers in Coleraine. “You don’t have a lot of free time – you go to work from 9am to 5pm, have a quick snack at home, then go to training at 7pm.” , Julie Nelson (37) testified to the BBC. The Crusaders Strikers defender spends most of her time at Ulster University, where she is employed as a secretary. She now has her panini sticker. Like Graham Potter, whom I met at Leeds University in 2008-2009. what a life

Editor’s Prono

England: 9 points
Norway: 6 points
Austria: 3 points
Northern Ireland: 0 points

By Quentin Ballou