UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 team deep dive
The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 kicks off this week, arriving to St. Mary’s on Thursday 7th July as Norway take on Northern Ireland. Ahead of its arrival, have a look at the teams who'll step out in Southampton.
The Green and White army of Northern Ireland will be making their first appearance at a major tournament and will be playing all their group games down on the south coast, with Southampton FC Women’s star Laura Rafferty amongst Kenny Shiel’s squad as they make history.
Their bid to qualify from Group A sees them come up against fellow home nation England along with two-time winners Norway and 2017 Women’s EURO semi-finalists Austria.
Norway vs Northern Ireland
St. Mary’s Stadium, Thursday 7th July at 8pm, Group A
The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 at St Mary’s kicks off with Norway facing Northern Ireland on day two, after England face Austria in the opener in Manchester.
Northern Ireland will be playing their first every major tournament fixture, but it will be against an opponent they know well, having played Norway twice in qualifying.
The Nordic side came out 6-0 winners on both occasions, and Northern Ireland will be looking to their experienced players to ensure a different outcome this summer.
Rachel Furness will be determined to take her club form with Championship winners Liverpool into the tournament, while Saints’ Laura Rafferty will hope to thrive in familiar territory. Up front, Everton forward Simone Magill will be tasked with scoring the goals.
They face a Norway side brimming with exciting players, especially in the form of 2018 Ballon D’Or winner Ada Hegerberg who has returned to international football.
She will join Chelsea’s Guro Reiten and Barcelona duo Ingrid Syrstad Engen and Caroline Graham Hansen to make a formidable opponent for any team.
Austria vs Northern Ireland
St. Mary’s Stadium, Monday 11th July at 5pm, Group A
The second fixture for Southampton welcomes an Austria team looking to back up their impressive showing in 2017, when they reached the semi-finals.
Northern Ireland’s experienced defenders such as Sarah Robson and Julie Nelson will have to deal with the dangerous Nicole Billa up front.
Meanwhile local fans will be familiar with shot-stopper Manuela Zinsberger, who is joined in defence by fellow Arsenal players Viktoria Schnaderbeck and Laura Wienroither.
Austria will have good memories from Women’s EURO 2017 where they made it to the semi-finals before falling on penalties to Denmark, and will hope a fearsome rear-guard will once again send them deep into the tournament once more.
Northern Ireland vs England
St. Mary’s Stadium, Friday 15th July at 8pm, Group A
The final fixture of UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 taking place at St. Mary’s is a tasty home nations derby between Northern Ireland and England.
England are one of the favourites going into the tournament on home soil and will be hoping for a similar result to their 5-0 win over the Green and White Army in April.
Sarina Wiegman’s players will know it won’t be that simple, however, with an extra bite sure to be on show during the game given its home nations element.
Wiegman has named a team full of exciting players, with Arsenal’s Beth Mead ending the season in fine form that saw her notch her 50th Women’s Super League goal, while Lucy Bronze is one of the game’s biggest stars at the back.
There could be an added pressure to this game too should either side need a certain result to ensure progression to the knockout rounds.
Austria vs Northern Ireland St. Mary’s Stadium, Monday 11th July at 5pm, Group AThe second fixture for Southampton welcomes an Austria team looking to back up their impressive showing in 2017, when they reached the semi-finals. Northern Ireland’s experienced defenders such as Sarah Robson and Julie Nelson will have to deal with the dangerous Nicole Billa up front.Meanwhile local fans will be familiar with shot-stopper Manuela Zinsberger, who is joined in defence by fellow Arsenal players Viktoria Schnaderbeck and Laura Wienroither. Austria will have good memories from Women’s EURO 2017 where they made it to the semi-finals before falling on penalties to Denmark, and will hope a fearsome rear-guard will once again send them deep into the tournament once more. Northern Ireland vs England St. Mary’s Stadium, Friday 15th July at 8pm, Group AThe final fixture of UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 taking place at St. Mary’s is a tasty home nations derby between Northern Ireland and England. England are one of the favourites going into the tournament on home soil and will be hoping for a similar result to their 5-0 win over the Green and White Army in April. Sarina Wiegman’s players will know it won’t be that simple, however, with an extra bite sure to be on show during the game given its home nations element. Wiegman has named a team full of exciting players, with Arsenal’s Beth Mead ending the season in fine form that saw her notch her 50th Women’s Super League goal, while Lucy Bronze is one of the game’s biggest stars at the back. There could be an added pressure to this game too should either side need a certain result to ensure progression to the knockout rounds.
