Euro 2022: England hosts underestimate “pressure” for conflict in Norway
England and Northern Ireland are back in action when the second round of the group stage of the European Championship 2022 begins on Monday.
The hosts of England, who started their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Austria in front of a record number at Old Trafford, are in Brighton to face Norway.
Northern Ireland meet Austria in Southampton while hoping to recover from a 4-1 loss to Norway last week.
The operation on Sunday saw the French start with a 5-1 victory over Italy while Belgium and Iceland drew 1-1.
Here the PA news agency covers the latest events in the tournament.
What pressure?
England and Norway have tried to push each other before their meeting.
Norway coach Martin Sjögren began the competition by saying that his team was “definitely” in control, adding that England “feel a lot of pressure from being at home, being one of their favorites”.
Opponent number Sarina Wiegman was quick to turn her back on Sjögren.
“I do not think so,” she said. “I think Norway also has to work to be at the top of the group.
Sjögren added that he felt “great nerves play into” England’s initial victory over Austria.
Again Wiegman had an answer.
“It’s good that they are trying to put pressure on us,” she said. “We are just working on our game and how we want to play.
Magill in Irish thinking
Northern Ireland want to win Austria for striker Simone Magill who is injured.
Magill, who recently joined Aston Villa from Everton, will miss the rest of the tournament after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Norway’s loss.
Captain Marissa Callaghan said: “The girls have been in pain because of Simone.
“We always talk about this family unit we have and there were a lot of tears for her, but it is a huge incentive for us to go out and get a result for her.
Northern Ireland is 47 years old in the world and is the lowest team in the world and Austria is aware that they are expected to win at St Mary’s Stadium.
“Expectations and pressure are higher than they were in the first game,” said defender Carina Wenninger.
The French make a strong statement
After seeing men like England, Spain and Germany open with victories, France, another favorite of the tournament, set their own goal in a strong way.
The French beat Italy in the opening game of their Group D at Rotherham’s New York Stadium and scored all their goals in the unilateral first half, where Grace Geyoro helped with a hat-trick.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Delphine Cascarino also made headlines. Martina Piemonte took the lead after 75 minutes, as a result of Sara Gama’s awkward, but ultimately successful, shot from the right.
Honor even in Manchester
Iceland and Belgium drew in the other Group D game at Academy Stadium Manchester City.
Berglind Þorvaldsdóttir came over Iceland after having missed a penalty earlier but Justine Vanhaevermaet made sure that a gap was taken from the game with her own shot.
Star attraction
The choice of the Academy Stadium, which seats 4,400 people at the tournament, had attracted criticism from Iceland for the competition, but what was missing from the stadium was added to the atmosphere.
Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the Prime Minister of Iceland, was one of those who took part in the celebration and was in the picture enjoying it. Roberto Martinez, Belgium’s football manager, was also in the audience.
Statistics of the day
Picture of the day
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Next
July 11th
Group A: Austria – Northern Ireland (17:00, St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton)
Group A: England – Norway (20:00, Amex Stadium, Brighton)