The Netherlands and Sweden are looking for quarter-final places
The Netherlands and Sweden are looking to book their places in the quarterfinals of the European Championship 2022 when group C ends on Sunday.
Switzerland and Portugal, however, still have dreams of upsetting the odds and getting out of what has turned out to be a close qualifier.
Here, the PA news agency looks forward to Sunday’s action after Spain booked a quarter-final deal with England and Germany ended their group campaign with another impressive win.
Slim hopes for Swiss
Switzerland is facing a major setback as they aim to take over the Netherlands at Bramall Lane and reach the quarter-finals.
Nils Nielsen’s team is at the bottom of the table ahead of their latest Group C match.
Just an unexpected win – which would be a first against the Dutch in almost 20 years – and the result of Sweden-Portugal who also go their way would send Switzerland to the last eight.
“The Netherlands do not have to win the match. We have to win, so of course we have to take the initiative,” says Nielsen. “We know that everything has to be perfect, then we have a chance.”
Orange out to make things easy
Although the odds may seem stacked against Switzerland, the defending champions – who beat Portugal 3-2 thanks to a fine blow from Danielle Van De Donk – just need to avoid defeat to move on.
Orange coach Mark Parsons may once again be without Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema, who missed the Portugal match due to Covid-19.
However, Manchester United midfielder Jackie Groenen should be involved after her recovery after a positive test.
Parsons saw his side squander a 2-0 lead against Portugal ahead of Van De Donks’ second-half winner, but is determined not to focus on anything other than the job at hand.
“You can think things over. For us, it’s about trying to win a football match,” said the Dutch coach. “We know who we are and what our strengths are.”
Portugal dreams of climbing the mountain
With there still a lot to gain in what has proven to be the tightest of the groups, both Sweden and Portugal also have hopes of qualifiers left.
The Swedes, ranked second in the world, only need to draw, while Portugal must win and hope that the Dutch avoid defeat.
“Players dream of being competitive and enjoying all this, but we know it will be a huge mountain to climb,” said Portugal coach Francisco Neto.
“We have the courage and ambition to scale it and they dream of reaching the top of that hill.”
Despite being favorites, Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson accepts that his team must step up.
“We have some work to do in the attack,” he told UEFA.com.
Spain set up England’s showdown
The prize for a quarter-final place against the tournament hosts was at stake when Spain met Denmark at Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday night.
One point would have been enough for Spain to secure second place in Group B, but, with the match still goalless on its way to the final stage, it was still qualified to play.
Marta Cardona, however, solved the matter with a sly nod at the last minute to trigger wild celebrations on the bench and from the healthy display of Spain’s supporters in the stands.
After a 4-0 draw by Germany in their opening match, Denmark had kept the hope of qualifying alive by beating Finland.
However, there was no end to the story, with Denmark left to reflect on what could have been if Nadia Nadim’s goal effort had not been traded away by Spain’s goalkeeper Sandra Panos with 15 minutes left.
The Germans are producing another master class
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s team had already impressed in their two initial group games, securing the top spot and a quarter-final spot against Austria.
The opponents Finland only had pride left to play for in Milton Keynes, their resignation has been confirmed after several losses.
The result never looked doubtful, with Sophia Kleinherne nodding Germany in front before Alexandra Popp nodded her third goal of the tournament with a nod at the start of the second half and substitute Nicole Anyomi also joined the goal record.
Germany, the eight-time European champions, have now scored nine goals in their three victories and have yet to concede.
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They are the host nation and have the fans behind them, but that motivates us. We are a team that likes challenges.
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Group C: Sweden vs. Portugal (17:00, Leigh) Group C: Switzerland vs. Netherlands (17:00, Bramall Lane)
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