Except for Spain, all teams have more or less difficult to start the European Championship of women at the start of the European Championship. Germany also has room for improvement. European champion England disappointed.
It was a picture with a symbolic character. The stadium was already emptied, many players had long been on their way to the cabin – Chloe Kelly and Niamh Charles were still crowded from penalty area. Not in the full sprint, but in the fast run. Back and forth, again and again. After the defeat against France, the English athletics trainer did not know any mercy with the duo, which had only been played for half an hour and apparently hadn’t ran enough.
Of all things, the European champion made a false start to the European Championship tournament. In the end, the 1: 2 against France was scarce, but really deserved.
According to video evidence, the supposed leadership of the British was revoked for offside. After that, however, only the French played for a long time. The player of the game, Delphine Cascarino, and goal scorer Sandy Baltimore were far too fast for the English full -back Lucy Bronze and Jess Carter.
France coach Bonadei and team set exclamation marks
On the one hand, France’s national coach Laurent Bonadei was confirmed in his hard course of the squad rejuvenation of the past few months. On the other hand, he managed to play around the strong English midfield center through the consistent wing game. Not only did his players set an exclamation mark, but also the football teacher that has mostly acted in the second row.
However, it was not even clear in the final phase that not everything is gold that glitters. On the offensive, more possible would have been possible with a concentrated game in and in the penalty area. The fact that at the end had to be trembled again could have been prevented. As the winners of the top game, the blue can still be happy to be one of the big winners of the first match day.
Spanish stare ensemble is just favoring the favorite role
This also clearly applies to Spain. No other team has solved his first task so effortlessly. Against Portugal (5-0), the Montserrat Tomé team burned down a real firework from the kick -off. After seven minutes it was 2-0, at the break the game was already 4-0. The Spaniards, who were led to the field by the two-time balloon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas (2021, 2022), were able to easily switch down a gear in the second half.
In the end, over 20 shots and ten corners were noted for the world champion of 2023. And in the final phase, Aitana Bonmati, which was last suffering from meningitis, had also been substituted.
Against the Portuguese, Spain could of course have forego the 27-year-old, who also won the Ballon D’Or twice (2023, 2024). But it should also have been about the sign of the competition that Aitana is ready for the European Championship.
Germany defies Gwinn injury, But has room for improvement
The German team, on the other hand, was noticed in the first minutes of the duel with Poland (2-0). Although coach Christian Wück and the players had repeatedly emphasized, “Be wide awake from the first minute” The Poles had the opportunity to lead right at the beginning.
Germany also had chances in the first half. A mixed performance was also overshadowed by the serious injury of captain Giulia Gwinn.
The team showed a strong reaction after the break (“We played for Giuli”) And with smaller tactical adjustments, the DFB women were much better. Jule Brand’s stroke of genius brought the longed -for tour and Lea Schüller quickly added. And even if Poland could still have shortened, at least the zero in the end was.
Netherlands, Sweden and Italy also have trouble
The Netherlands celebrated the second highest victory of the first match day. In the 3-0 against EM newcomer Wales, however, the “Oranje Leeuwinnen” needed 48 minutes to crack the British defense bar.
Sweden, who had only qualified for the EM through the play-offs, struggled to a 1-0 against Denmark. The Danes failed on the crossbar shortly before the end. With the same result, Italy scored the first three points against Belgium.
There is already that against Denmark Quarter final ticket?
In other words, Germany does not have to hide with its first performance in Switzerland. The players were happy about the victory, but the unanimous opinion was that they can (and have to) increase. And with another three against Denmark on Tuesday in Basel (6 p.m., in the first and in the live stream), even the quarter-finals could be made perfect.