WOMEN'S EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 6th - 31st JULY.

Wednesday 6th July
Group A: England vs Austria - 8pm - Old Trafford

Thursday 7 July
Group A: Norway vs Northern Ireland - 8pm - Southampton

Friday 8 July
Group B: Spain vs Finland - 5pm - Milton Keynes
Group B: Germany vs Denmark - 8pm - Brentford

Saturday 9 July
Group C: Portugal vs Switzerland - 5pm - Wigan & Leigh
Group C: Netherlands vs Sweden - 8pm - Sheffield

Sunday 10 July
Group D: Belgium vs Iceland - 5pm - Manchester
Group D: France vs Italy - 8pm - Rotherham

Monday 11 July
Group A: Austria vs Northern Ireland - 5pm - Southampton
Group A: England vs Norway - 8pm - Brighton & Hove

Tuesday 12 July
Group B: Denmark vs Finland - 5pm - Milton Keynes
Group B: Germany vs Spain - 8pm - Brentford

Wednesday 13 July
Group C: Sweden vs Switzerland - 5pm - Sheffield
Group C: Netherlands v Portugal - 8pm - Wigan & Leigh

Thursday 14 July
Group D: Italy vs Iceland - 5pm - Manchester
Group D: France vs Belgium - 8pm - Rotherham

Friday 15 July
Group A: Northern Ireland vs England - 8pm - Southampton
Group A: Austria vs Norway - 8pm - Brighton & Hove

Saturday 16 July
Group B: Finland vs Germany - 8pm - Milton Keynes
Group B: Denmark vs Spain - 8pm - Brentford

Sunday 17 July
Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands - 5pm - Sheffield
Group C: Sweden vs Portugal - 5pm - Wigan & Leigh

Monday 18 July
Group D: Iceland vs France - 8pm - Rotherham
Group D: Italy vs Belgium - 8pm - Manchester

England 1 (Mead) Austria 0 - Group A - Old Trafford - Attendance: 68,871 - Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza - Player of the Match: Millie Bright.


Beth Mead helped England get off to a winning start at Euro 2022 as they beat Austria in front of a record crowd for a European Women's Championship game at Old Trafford.

The Arsenal winger chested down Fran Kirby's lifted pass and deftly touched it over club team-mate Manuela Zinsberger after just 16 minutes.

There was a roar from the majority of the 68,871 in attendance as Mead turned to them passionately with her arms in the air - though, they were made to wait anxiously as there was a VAR check for a possible offside.

The early goal settled England's nerves and they quickly began to dominate in Manchester.

Mead, Georgia Stanway and Kirby offered plenty of creativity and movement in the first half and one criticism may have been England's lack of ruthlessness.

But it was a job well done in the tournament opener and though Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps was called into action to deny Barbara Dunst in the second half, Austria were reduced to few clear-cut chances.

The Lionesses, who are in Group A with Austria, Northern Ireland and Norway, are aiming to win their first major tournament - and have started that bid by extending their unbeaten run to 15 matches.

Sarina Wiegman's side face arguably their toughest test of the group stages on Monday when they take on Norway, ranked 11th in the world.

Friday 8 July - Today's Games Are:

Group B: Spain vs Finland - 5pm - Milton Keynes

Group B: Germany vs Denmark - 8pm - Brentford

Saturday 9 July

Group C: Portugal 2 Switzerland 2 - Leigh Sports Village

Portugal fought back from two goals down to clinch a draw against a stunned Switzerland in their Euro 2022 Group C opener at Leigh Sports Village.

It was the Swiss who showed an initial clinical edge as Coumba Sow fired in a superb opener and Rahel Kiwic headed in a second inside five minutes to hand them the dream start.

But a resilient Portugal replied when Diana Gomes poked in with half an hour to play and Jessica Silva deftly guided Tatiana Pinto's cross into the bottom corner to level soon after.

With big-hitters the Netherlands and Sweden the other sides in the group, Switzerland and Portugal had marked this up as a must-win game if they were to progress to the knockout stages - and that sparked a frantic finish.

Geraldine Reuteler volleyed on to the crossbar for the Swiss and Portugal scrambled another effort off the line as the sides had to settle for a point.


Group C: Netherlands 1 Sweden 1 - Bramall Lane, Sheffield

Defending champions the Netherlands and the world's second-ranked side Sweden could not be separated as the two sides played out an entertaining draw in front of 21,342 fans in their Euro 2022 Group C opener at Bramall Lane.

A clash between two of the world's best teams always looked like being a tight affair and so it proved.

The Netherlands, not helped by injuries to their first-choice goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal and defender Aniek Nouwen, looked cagey in the opening 45 minutes.

Sweden, in contrast, executed their gameplan superbly, giving their opponents very few opportunities to attack while creating chances of their own.

They deservedly took the lead just before half-time when Kosovare Asllani's ball across the box found the unmarked Jonna Andersson, who fired across the goalkeeper and into the net.

But the Netherlands came out firing after the break and drew level thanks to Jill Roord's turn and finish following a good move.

Both sides had chances to snatch a winner, with Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo seeing a long-range effort saved, and Magdalena Eriksson doing well to deny Roord a second for the Dutch.

In the end a draw was a fair reflection of the game and means Group C is wide open after Portugal and Switzerland drew earlier on Saturday.

The impressive attendance at Bramall Lane was a new record for a European Women's Championship group stage match not involving a host nation.


Sunday 10 July

Group D: Belgium vs Iceland - 5pm - Manchester

Group D: France vs Italy - 8pm - Rotherham

Monday 11 July

Group A: Austria vs Northern Ireland - 5pm - Southampton

Group A: England vs Norway - 8pm - Brighton & Hove

Monday 11 July

Group A: Austria 2 Northern Ireland 0 - 5pm - Southampton

Northern Ireland are out of Euro 2022 after a 2-0 defeat by Austria in Southampton was followed by England's 8-0 hammering of Norway.

Katharina Schiechtl touched home Sarah Puntigam's deflected free-kick on 19 minutes to give Austria the lead in their second Group A match.

Northern Ireland, playing in their first major tournament, grew in confidence as the game progressed but struggled to break down a stern Austrian defence before Katharina Naschenweng's late second goal secured the win.

The defeat left Kenny Shiels' side in a precarious position before the late kick-off between England and Norway, and the Lionesses' record victory condemned Northern Ireland to an early exit.

Northern Ireland face the hosts in their final Euro 2022 match at St Mary's on Friday.

Victory for Austria keeps Irene Fuhrmann's in the hunt for a quarter-final place before their final game with Norway.

Out of Northern Ireland's three Group A fixtures, Austria was tipped as the most realistic chance for them to get a result on their Euros debut.


Group A: England 8 Norway 0 - 8pm - Brighton & Hove

England produced a sensational, record-breaking performance to stun rivals Norway as they progressed to the knockout stages of the European Women's Championship as group winners.

Brighton was treated to a memorable night as England broke their own tournament record to win 8-0 in what was perceived to be their biggest test of the group stages.

Norway, ranked 11th in the world, were outplayed, outclassed and completely stunned by an England team oozing confidence.

After an underwhelming opening victory over Austria, England started in cagey fashion but, after Georgia Stanway slotted in a 12-minute penalty, there was only one winner.

Within half an hour, Lauren Hemp and Ellen White had extended England's lead and excitement was rippling around the Amex Stadium.

What followed was a ruthless onslaught on Norway's goal - Beth Mead netted a hat-trick, Alessia Russo came off the bench to score and White got a second on the night to move to within one goal off Wayne Rooney's all-time England goalscoring record.

It was a statement performance to the rest of Europe as England fly into the knockout stages having comfortably confirmed their status as one of the tournament favourites.

Tuesday 12 July
Group B: Denmark 1 Finland 0 - 5pm - Milton Keynes

Pernille Harder's second-half goal ensured Denmark kept their hopes of progressing from Group B alive as they overcame a determined Finland at Euro 2022.

With both nations seeking to respond to heavy opening-game defeats and reignite their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals, it was the 2017 finalists who deservedly prevailed at Stadium MK.

Finland were later knocked out of the tournament following group leaders Germany's 2-0 win over Spain - which set up a winner-takes-all meeting between Denmark and Spain on Saturday.


Group B: Germany 2 Spain 0 - 8pm - Brentford

Stats: 30% - 70% - Shots 8-12 - On Target 2-3 - How the hell Spain lost is beyond me.

Eight-time European champions Germany defeated Spain to secure top spot in Group B and avoid a Euro 2022 quarter-final tie with hosts England.

Germany were gifted an early goal when Spanish goalkeeper Sandra Panos' clearance fell straight to Klara Buhl and she scored with a low strike.

Lucia Garcia had a chance to level, but could only shoot into the side netting.

Alexandra Popp, who only returned to action in March after 10 months out with a knee injury, headed in a second.

Wednesday 13 July

Group C: Sweden 2 Switzerland 1

Teenage substitute Hanna Bennison scored the winning goal as Sweden overcame Switzerland to earn their first victory at Euro 2022.

Among the tournament favourites, Sweden ensured their hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals remain in their own hands heading into their final match against Portugal on Sunday.

Everton midfielder Bennison produced a fine finish from the edge of the penalty area with 11 minutes remaining to leave Peter Gerhardsson's side level with the Netherlands at the top of Group C.

The game had sparked into life early in the second half as Barcelona forward Fridolina Rolfo slotted in at the end of a sweeping team move to end Switzerland's stern resistance.

But Switzerland, forced to cancel training on Monday after nine players suffered from a stomach bug, responded less than two minutes later when Bachmann curled in at Bramall Lane.

Rebecka Blomqvist had two late finishes ruled out for offside but Switzerland were unable to force a late equaliser and remain on one point after two matches.


Group C: Netherlands 3 Portugal 2

Danielle van de Donk scored the winner as defending champions the Netherlands survived a huge scare to defeat Portugal and go top of Group C after an action-packed Euro 2022 encounter.

In a thriller at Leigh Sports Village, Portugal stunned their opponents by mounting an impressive comeback for a second successive match before Van de Donk settled it with a superb dipping, swerving effort.

Former Everton midfielder Damaris Egurrola had opened the scoring with a looping header, before Stefanie van der Gragt nodded in a second for the Netherlands.

Carole Costa reduced the deficit with a 38th-minute penalty that was awarded after a pitchside monitor check by the referee, before Diana Silva's header sparked scenes of jubilation among Portuguese supporters.

At 2-2, Jill Roord thought she had restored the Netherlands' advantage, but her effort was ruled out for an offside.

There was no denying former Arsenal midfielder Van de Donk's strike, though, as she sent her side top with one round of group matches to go.

"We are a good team and are trying to be a great team," said Netherlands boss Mark Parsons, who has not ruled out striker Miedema playing in the third and final group game on Sunday against Switzerland at Bramall Lane.

"Typical Viv. I had a text from her saying, 'I'm good, get me back and give me the test'."

Portugal had rallied from 2-0 down to earn a point against Switzerland in their previous game and threatened another impressive fightback through Costa's penalty.

It was awarded after the Croatian referee Ivana Martincic checked the monitor following Dominque Janssen's foul on Diana Silva.

At 0-0, Portugal's Ana Borges - winning a record 146th cap for her country - also had a goal ruled out for offside.

The Netherlands were not helped by injuries to their first-choice goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal and defender Aniek Nouwen, while Miedema and Jackie Groenen were absent with Covid.

But they got the job done to put themselves in a strong position to progress to the quarter-finals.

Thursday 14 July

Group D: Italy 1 Iceland 1

Italy and Iceland were forced to settle for a point each as their hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals of Euro 2022 were left on a knife-edge.

Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir's strike gave Iceland the lead in the Group D encounter at Manchester City's Academy Stadium.

But for the second successive game, Iceland were unable to hold on to their lead as Valentina Bergamaschi equalised after half-time to earn Italy their first point of the tournament.

It could have been worse for Iceland as Italy finished strongly, Barbara Bonansea hitting a low shot that Sandra Sigurdardottir tipped on to the inside of the post.

Iceland have two points from two games and face group favourites France in their third and final group game on Monday in Rotherham (20:00 BST).

Despite her side coming from behind to seal a point, Italy's boss was not impressed with the result.

"This is a European Championship of suffering for us," said Milena Bertolini.

Group D: France 2 Belgium 1

France breezed into the Euro 2022 quarter-finals with a game to spare by beating Belgium at Rotherham's New York Stadium to progress as Group D winners.

Corinne Diacre's side followed up their 5-1 thrashing of Italy with another impressive attacking display that should have seen them win by a bigger margin.

Kadidiatou Diani - one of France's standout players so far - opened the scoring in the sixth minute when she headed in Sakina Karchaoui's cross.

All five of France's goals against Italy came in the first half and it looked like a repeat was on the cards as they continued to put pressure on the Belgium defence. Delphine Cascarino hit a shot from range just wide before an effort from Diani was pushed on to the post by goalkeeper Nicky Evrard.

Not even the loss of Marie-Antoinette Katoto to injury could halt the French attacks, although her early departure will be a cause for concern as they look to win a major tournament for the first time.

Belgium stunned their opponents as they equalised out of nowhere nine minutes before half-time when the ball was squeezed through to Janice Cayman, who prodded home from inside the area.

But France restored their lead five minutes later when Griedge Mbock Bathy sent a bullet of a header into the back of the net from Clara Mateo's cross.

Despite their dominance, France were unable to add further goals after the break, even when they were awarded a late penalty when Amber Tysiak was adjudged to have handled the ball after a VAR review. Tysiak was shown a second yellow card but Wendy Renard's spot kick was saved.

Ultimately, another goal was not needed and securing top spot means France will play the runner-up in Group C. The Netherlands currently top that group, with Sweden in second place.