League A in the Women's European Championship Qualifiers saw an array of action as the first set of fixtures kicked-off this weekend! Here's the rundown.
In international women’s football, the next phase in preparation for the Women’s European Championships 2025 has begun. Following the conclusion of the Women’s Nations League in February, which saw World Cup Champions beat France to claim the trophy, the upcoming international windows will see the European Qualifiers, the first of which took place on April 5th, to decide which 15 teams will be joining Switzerland on their home soil in next years’ tournament.
Introduced this year, the European Qualifiers league stage is played in the same format as the Nations League, with teams split into three leagues, where each team's starting league position is determined based on the results of the Nations League. Similar to the Nations League, each league was drawn into 4 groups, from there 6 fixtures follow. League A consists of the top ranked European teams in the world, however seeing Ireland, Finland, Poland and Czech all promoted to Division A as per the results of the Nations League, taking the spots of Switzerland, Wales, Portugal and Scotland. The final European Qualifiers league ranking will reward the eight top teams in League A with direct qualification for UEFA Women's EURO 2025.
This weekend saw the first round of fixtures, with a mixture of results in League A, including disappointment for the Dutch and Spain stunning; heres all you need to know!
GROUP A1
Norway 4-0 Finland
Norway came into these qualifiers fierce and with intent, able to test Finland, who were sluggish at the back. They found their opening within 25 minutes, as Tottenham forward Bizet Ildhusoy beat the defender to a deflected ball and found the bottom left. They extended their lead before the half, with smart link up play down the left enabled Haug to be found at the back post, from where she headed home. It was a tighter second-half, with Finland holding Norway off from adding to their tally until the 78th minute, where Bjelde was left unmarked as she moved into the box and was clinical in front of goal. 3 minutes later, they sealed it with 4, when Terland squeezed in another, in the same fashion as her teammate just before.
Italy 2-0 Netherlands
It was a poor start for 2017 Champions the Netherlands, as they saw defeat to an Italian side who open the scoring straight from the off, with Giacinti slotting home as she found the end of Guigliano’s pinpoint through ball, within 3 minutes. Italy looked on top throughout, with the Dutch side struggling with the absences of Daphne van Domselaar, Jill Roord, Vivianne Miedema, Lieke Martens, and Jackie Groenen. The most notable chance for the Oranje was a blocked effort from Danielle Van De Donk, before the half. As the game hit the hour mark, Italy made it two, as Bonfantini got the last touch in a scramble, when Kop stretched for a high cross floating in at the back post.
GROUP A2
Czechia 1-3 Denmark
An early goal for Denmark, courtesy of Paris Saint German forward Vangsgaard, brought momentum to the side from the start; the side enjoyed the majority of possession and saw more attacking opportunities throughout the game. Unable to be clinical in front of goal again in the first half, Czech equalised with an opening just before the half, Staskova the goalscorer. Denmark picked it back up in the second half, scoring an additional two goals to take back a comfortable lead, Ballisager in the 68th, with Hasbo following shortly in the 72nd.
Belgium 0-7 Spain
An emphatic performance from Spain saw them cruise past Belgium, with the Red Flames only having 1 attempt on goal, to Spain’s 21. Salma Paralluelo opened the scoring early in the 8th, and bagged herself a hat-trick by just moments into the second-half. Hermoso also scored early on, with Esther Gonzalez adding to the tally with a brace and Garcia sealing it with the seventh in the 85th minute. Pure dominance from the Spanish world champions.
GROUP A3
England 1-1 Sweden
Always a tough match-up between these two sides, with this proving no different. Wembley Stadium awaited, with the Lionesses returning to the place they won the title in 2022, as they aim to defend it. A contested game saw Alessia Russo take the lead in 24 minutes, as Lauren James provided an excellent delivery to which the Arsenal forward headed home. Sweden looked very threatening throughout, with spells of intelligent attacking movement meaning the English backline were put to work. They held their lead into the half, yet Sweden fought through England’s tiring midfield, with Kafaji finding Rolfo in front of goal, who had no trouble in the conversion. Settling for a point as they were unable to get themselves back into the match, it was disappointing start for Sarina Wiegman and her side.
France 1-0 Republic of Ireland
Nations League finalists France began the fixture strong, finding the back of the net within 6 minutes as Paris Saint German striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto fashionably converted an intelligently placed free-kick. Despite showing an early dominance, Ireland - new additions to League A - grew to the challenge, as the game became increasingly narrow. France displayed their quality, ensuring to maintain pressure on their opposition, however it was an excellent defensive performance from Ireland which kept the game tight.
GROUP A4
Iceland 3-0 Poland
Iceland began the fixture on a better foot than their opponents, advancing up the pitch and looking to create chances. As the game grew, it became closer fought as Poland found their feet. It was an unfortunate goal to open the scoring, with Mesjasz finding the back of her own net to gift Iceland the lead, just before the half. Iceland were able to follow up a minute later, taking advantage of Poland’s dropped heads, it was Zomers who found the back of the net. Iceland enjoyed the majority of the offensive play in the second half, with Jonsdottir adding to their tally to extend their lead.
Austria 2-3 Germany
Plenty of goals in this fixture, which saw Austria enjoy plenty of early attacking movements as Germany invited the pressure. Able to be clinical with their chances, Austria surprised and took an early lead as Campbell fired into the bottom left corner within 10 minutes. Shortly following, they doubled their lead, and it was Campbell again to find the back of the net, finding the end of a set piece and firing it straight past Frohms. Before the half, Germany began to show their quality, after growing into the game, as Buhl took a strike from outside of the box to get her side back involved. An equaliser was scored in the 49th minute and it was Buhl on a brace to draw the game into a contested match. Germany were awarded a penalty as Arsenal goalkeeper Zinsberger acquired a yellow card, in which Gwinn was able to successfully convert to bring Germany back ahead. An unfortunate end for Austria.
With an array of performances across the League, the second set of fixtures shortly awaits. Tuesday April 9th sees the action begin again.
Comments