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With near half one million followers attending the group-stage video games, the UEFA Ladies’s Euros has attracted consideration like by no means earlier than.
Now, the highlight shifts to the knockout levels, the place the stakes are excessive and the strain even increased.
Eight groups stay in competition to carry the trophy, with hosts Switzerland reaching the quarterfinals for the primary time. World champions Spain have lived as much as their billing because the crew to beat on the competitors, whereas holders England superior after overcoming an early scare.
Right here’s how the Euro 2025 quarterfinals line up:
⚽ First quarterfinal: Norway vs Italy
When: Wednesday, July 16 at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
The place: Stade de Geneve, Geneva
With an ideal 9 factors, Norway completed on prime of Group A as anticipated, however they lack cohesion. The 2-time European champions conceded 5 objectives within the opening spherical – probably the most among the many desk toppers of the 4 teams.
Nonetheless, the skilled duo of striker Ada Hegerberg and winger Caroline Graham Hansen has confirmed to be very important for the Norwegians, who’ve a wonderful alternative for a deep run with Italy their quarterfinal opponent.
The Italians, who completed second in Group B, shall be enjoying within the knockouts for the primary time since 2013. High-four finishers at six of the primary seven Euro tournaments, Le Azzure have endured a barren spell since and have made the knockout spherical solely twice within the twenty first century.
However after surviving a tough group stage – registering a win, a draw and a defeat – the Italians consider their finest soccer is forward of them within the last-eight.
“Now we have a terrific need to do properly, to proceed dreaming, to proceed writing vital pages of a narrative that’s solely firstly,” midfielder Annamaria Serturini stated earlier than the quarterfinals.
The winner of this match will face both Sweden or England within the semifinals.
⚽ Second quarterfinal: Sweden vs England
When: Thursday, July 17 at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
The place: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
After a gap match defeat which raised severe doubts about their title defence, England bounced again in type with consecutive assertion wins, reaffirming their standing as one of many heavyweights.
Because of the attacking prowess of Lauren James, Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway, the holders scored a mixed 10 objectives of their final two matches, ending second in Group D.
Within the quarterfinals, the Lionesses shall be up towards acquainted foes, Sweden, whom they smashed 4-0 on the similar stage throughout their Euro 2022-winning marketing campaign.
“Sweden are a unbelievable crew, they’re relentless in the best way they go about their recreation,” England captain Leah Williamson stated.
“I feel they form of keep away from the expectation of each event, and no person actually talks about them, [which is] barely disrespectful, I feel, as a result of they all the time present up. They all the time appear to pose a risk to most groups, and usually come out with a medal or [be] a semifinal crew, so that they’re a robust crew. We’re trying ahead to the fixture.”
The Swedes laid down a marker with a sensational 4-1 win towards a robust Germany outfit on July 12, sealing the highest spot in Group C and laying the groundwork for a revenge victory towards England in Thursday’s quarterfinal in Zurich.
⚽ Third quarterfinal: Spain vs Switzerland
When: Friday, July 18 at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
The place: Stadion Wankdorf, Bern
Taking part in within the Euro knockout stage for the primary time, hosts Switzerland face their largest take a look at but towards reigning world champions and title favourites Spain.
La Roja, who topped Group B with three wins in as many video games, appeared unstoppable within the opening spherical, scoring a tournament-high 14 objectives whereas conceding simply three.
Twice Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas as soon as once more grabbed the highlight with three objectives and 4 assists, whereas striker Esther Gonzalez has led the scoring charts with 4 objectives.
Switzerland, who completed second in Group A, are the underdogs on this contest however will undoubtedly depend on passionate residence nation help in Bern as their youthful facet strives for an unlikely upset.
“I feel none of us anticipated issues to occur in Switzerland – bought out crowds… Every thing is blowing up means greater than we ever anticipated,” Swiss captain Lia Walti stated.
“We couldn’t even think about having this once we have been little,” added defender Viola Calligaris. “And now it’s like this for each match. We felt the folks cheering – that basically provides you energy.”
The winner of this match will face France or Germany within the semifinals.
⚽ Fourth quarterfinal: France vs Germany
When: Saturday, July 19 at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
The place: St Jakob-Park, Basel
France enter the quarterfinals in scintillating type, advancing as desk toppers in what many had dubbed the “group of demise”.
Scoring 11 instances within the opening spherical, together with a 5-2 thrashing of the highly-touted Netherlands outfit, France proved why they’re the darkish horses at this 12 months’s event. Attacking winger Delphine Cascarino and striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto are each in stupendous type and have scored two objectives a chunk within the group stage.
“On the subject of Germany, it’s a really huge nation,” Cascarino stated. “They gained a number of trophies they usually have already knocked out others, so we all know it’s going to be a terrific recreation… we’re going to attempt to discover the cracks and win.”
For the eight-time report champions Germany, who completed second in Group C, defensive frailties stay a priority, particularly after their 4-1 thrashing by the hands of Sweden within the final group match.
The final time these sides clashed was in February 2024 with France defeating Germany 2-1 to succeed in the primary UEFA Ladies’s Nations League closing. A victory on Saturday would additionally avenge France’s painful defeat to Germany within the Euro 2022 semifinals.
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