England head into the ever-approaching Women’s Euro 2022 among the favourites to win the tournament but even as early as the group stages there will be hurdles to overcome.
In hosting the tournament for the second time in their history, England weren’t required to qualify and were automatically placed into Group A, where they were joined by Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland.
The Lionesses will count themselves fortunate to have avoided the likes of tournament favourites Spain and 2019 World Cup bronze medallists Sweden, while Northern Ireland – the lowest ranked team in the tournament – shouldn’t offer too much trouble.
Hosts England will be looking to go all the way at this summer’s European Championships
Yet, against Norway and Austria, England will face two of the best players around, with Nicole Billa and Caroline Graham Hansen both looking to guide their sides to the knockouts.
With just 16 teams in the tournament, the level opposition will quickly increase for the two sides from each group who do make it out of their respective quartet. But with Austria and Norway evenly matched, the battle to do so in Group A will be fierce.
Sportsmail takes you through England’s Group A opponents below, including how they qualified for the tournament, their history in the competition and who to look out for.
England
There is heavy expectation for England to do well at the impending tournament, not only because they are hosts but also due to the improvements made under manager Sarina Wiegman.
The 52-year-old took charge last year following her success coaching the Netherlands, who she guided to Euro 2017 victory in what was an historic feat for the nation.
Wiegman was named Best FIFA Women’s Coach following the triumph, after which she also led the Netherlands to the final of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, where they fell short against the United States.
An in-form England are still unbeaten since Sarina Wiegman, 52, took charge last year
Wiegman led the Netherlands to an historic triumph at the 2017 European Championships
England, who are still unbeaten following Wiegman’s arrival, won the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup in February and come into the competition in top form, having won all eight of their 2022 World Cup qualifiers to date, scoring 68 goals without reply.
The Lionesses have a number of star players who will look to make an impression, but perhaps it’s their all-time top scorer Ellen White – sat on 50 goals – who they will turn to for inspiration.
She is once again back in the picture having missed their penultimate warm-up game against the Netherlands after testing positive for Covid.
England are, of course, the favourites to prevail as Group A winners, but their opener against Austria – which kicks off the tournament – on July 6 will set the tone for the weeks ahead.
Fixtures:
- England vs Austria, Old Trafford, July 6, 8pm
- England vs Norway, The Amex, July 11, 8pm
- Northern Ireland vs England, St Mary’s, July 15, 8pm
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Forwards: Bethany England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ellen White (Manchester City)
Tournament history:
- Euro 1984: Runners-up
- Euro 1987: Fourth place
- Euro 1989: Did not qualify
- Euro 1991: Did not qualify
- Euro 1993: Did not qualify
- Euro 1995: Semi-finals
- Euro 1997: Did not qualify
- Euro 2001: Group stages
- Euro 2005: Group stages
- Euro 2009: Runners-up
- Euro 2013: Group stages
- Euro 2017: Semi-finals
Austria
Austria’s success was one of the biggest surprises of the 2017 Euros, where they reached the semi-final having qualified for the tournament for the first time in their history.
They finished as runners-up behind France in their Euro 2022 qualification group, but were granted one of three best runner-up spots and therefore a place in the tournament having racked up 19 points from eight games.
They conceded in only one of those eight games, being in a 3-0 defeat to France, who are among the favourites to win the tournament, with much of their success attributed to star player Nicole Billa.
The 26-year-old scored seven goals in eight games throughout qualifying, and the Hoffenheim forward has been even more clinical in World Cup qualification, where she has scored 10 in seven. She has scored a total of 43 goals in 79 appearances for Austria.
Nicole Billa is comfortably Austria’s key player, as she showed throughout qualifying
In charge of getting the best of Billa and her team-mates is manager Irene Fuhrmann
Billa will also come into the tournament with added motivation, after failing to score in any of her five appearances at Euro 2017. Put simply, England can’t afford to give her too many opportunities.
In charge of getting the best out of Billa is Irene Fuhrmann, who was the assistant coach when Austria went on their incredible run to the semi-finals.
Fuhrmann became Austria’s first female manager when she took over from the long-serving Dominik Thalhamme in 2020, and they’ve continued to develop into a seriously tricky side since.
They are in the same World Cup qualifying group as England, sat in second behind the Lionesses. The pair have played just the once so far, in England, with the hosts edging it 1-0.
England will certainly be the favourites against Austria, but it’s not at all an easy game.
Fixtures:
- England vs Austria, Old Trafford, July 6, 8pm
- Austria vs Northern Ireland, St Mary’s, July 11, 5pm
- Austria vs Norway, The Amex, July 15, 8pm
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Isabella Kresche (St Polten), Jasmin Pal (FC Koln), Manuela Zinsberger (Arsenal).
Defenders: Celina Degen (FC Koln), Marina Georgieva (Sand), Verena Hanshaw (Eintracht Frankfurt), Katharina Naschenweng (Hoffenheim), Katharina Schiechtl (Werder Bremen), Viktoria Schnaderbeck (unattached), Carina Wenninger (Roma), Laura Wienroither (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Barbara Dunst (Eintracht Frankfurt), Jasmin Eder (St. Polten), Laura Feiersinger (Eintracht Frankfurt), Julia Hickelsberger (Hoffenheim), Marie-Therese Hobinger (Zurich), Maria Plattner (Turbine Potsdam), Sarah Puntigam (FC Koln), Sarah Zadrazil (Bayern Munich).
Forwards: Nicole Billa (Hoffenheim), Stefanie Enzinger (St Polten), Lisa Kolb (Freiburg), Lisa Makas (Austria Wien).
Tournament history:
- Euro 1984: Did not qualify
- Euro 1987: Did not qualify
- Euro 1989: Did not qualify
- Euro 1991: Did not qualify
- Euro 1993: Did not qualify
- Euro 1995: Did not qualify
- Euro 1997: Did not qualify
- Euro 2001: Did not qualify
- Euro 2005: Did not qualify
- Euro 2009: Did not qualify
- Euro 2013: Did not qualify
- Euro 2017: Semi-finals
Norway
Norway are, on paper, the biggest threats to England in Group A. They have now qualified for a joint-record 12th tournament, having won all six of their qualifying games while conceding just a single goal.
The Euro ever-presents have won the tournament twice, though all the way back in 1987 and 1993, but they have also made the final as recently as 2005 and 2013.
Spearheading their attempt to make another run deep into the tournament is the prolific Caroline Graham Hansen, who scored 10 goals throughout qualifying.
The 27-year-old is one of a number of Barcelona players at the tournament this summer, and with her remarkable dribbling ability and consistency in front of goal, she is certainly among the best in the world.
Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen scored 10 goals as Norway qualified comfortably
Ada Hegerberg is also now back in the picture for Norway having quit the national side in 2017
It’s not just Graham Hansen who England will have to contain, however, with Ada Hegerberg now once again in the picture. The 26-year-old – also regarded as one of the world’s best – quit the side in 2017 due to the federation’s treatment of the women’s team.
The Lyon star scored in their Champions League final win over Barcelona in May, and beforehand in April made her return for Norway, scoring a hat-trick in their World Cup qualifier win over Kosovo. Norway are currently top of their qualifying group with seven wins and a draw from eight games.
Hegerberg’s return will be a major boost for manager Martin Sjogren, 45, who guided Norway to the 2019 World Cup finals – where they were beaten by England – having taken over in 2016.
Norway went out in the group stages after losing all three games at Euro 2017, and they’ll be desperate to go further this summer. If they do, however, a tricky tie, likely against Spain or Germany, will await.
Fixtures:
- Norway vs Northern Ireland, St Mary’s, July 7, 8pm
- England vs Norway, The Amex, July 11, 8pm
- Austria vs Norway, The Amex, July 15, 8pm
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Guro Pettersen (Valerenga), Sunniva Skoglund (Stabak), Aurora Mikalsen (Brann).
Defenders: Tuva Hansen (Brann), Maren Mjelde (Chelsea), Anja Senstevold (Inter), Julie Blakstad (Man City), Maria Thorisdottir (Man Utd), Synne Skinnes Hansen (Rosenborg), Guro Bergsvand (Brann).
Midfielders: Vilde Boe Risa (Man Utd), Amalie Eikeland (Reading), Ingrid Syrstad Engen (Barcelona), Frida Maanum (Arsenal), Lisa Naalsund (Brann), Elisabeth Terland (Brann), Guro Reiten (Chelsea).
Forwards: Anna Langas Jesendal (Rosenborg), Karina Sævik (Avaldsnes), Sophie Roman Haug (Roma), Celin Bizet Ildhusoy (PSG), Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona), Ada Hegerberg (Lyon).
Tournament history:
- Euro 1984: Did not qualify
- Euro 1987: Champions
- Euro 1989: Runners-up
- Euro 1991: Runners-up
- Euro 1993: Winners
- Euro 1995: Semi-finals
- Euro 1997: Group stages
- Euro 2001: Semi-finals
- Euro 2005: Runners-up
- Euro 2009: Semi-finals
- Euro 2013: Runners-up
- Euro 2017: Group stage
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland made history by qualifying for the impending tournament. They had never previously qualified for a major tournament of any note, having also lost seven of eight World Cup 2019 qualifiers.
They finished second in their qualification group, behind Norway, and were required to go through the play-offs to book their spot at the tournament. They did so by beating Ukraine 4-1 on aggregate.
The incredible achievement has to be attributed to manager Kenny Shiels, who took the role in 2019 having succeeded the long-serving Alfie Wylie.
The 66-year-old had previously led Kilmarnock and Derry City’s men’s teams, and he has certainly proven his worth since taking the job.
He was, however, heavily criticised in April after stating ‘women are more emotional than men’ following a heavy defeat by England.
Northern Ireland boss Kenny Shiels apologised after stating ‘women are more emotional than men’
Northern Ireland are the lowest FIFA-ranked nation to qualify for Euro 2022 this summer
Shiels kept his job after apologising, with captain Marissa Callaghan publicly backing the manager.
Now comes the hard part, though, as Shiels and Northern Ireland look to turn an unlikely qualification into an even less likely dream run at the European Championships.
They have been beaten 4-0 and 5-0 by England in their current World Cup qualifying group, where they sit in third place, while they were thumped 6-0 twice by Norway in Euro qualifying.
If Northern Ireland are to have any success, however, it will likely come as a result of the performances from star player Rachel Furness.
The 33-year-old – who could well be facing her one and only opportunity to play in the Euros – is Northern Ireland’s top scorer in history (men or women), and also, unsurprisingly, their top scorer throughout qualifying with five goals.
She scored a crucial goal in their play-off first leg against Ukraine, but was made to watch from the sidelines for the second leg after breaking her ankle. Furness more recently played a pivotal role as her club side Liverpool earned promotion back to the WSL this season.
Fixtures:
- Norway vs Northern Ireland, St Mary’s, July 7, 8pm
- Austria vs Northern Ireland, St Mary’s, July 11, 5pm
- Northern Ireland vs England, St Mary’s, July 15, 8pm
Squad in full
Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (BK Hacken), Becky Flaherty (Brighouse Town), Shannon Turner (Wolverhampton Wanderers Women).
Defenders: Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville Ladies), Rebecca Holloway (Racing Louisville), Ashley Hutton (Linfield Ladies), Abbie Magee (Cliftonville Ladies), Sarah McFadden (Durham Women), Rebecca McKenna (Lewes Women), Julie Nelson (Crusaders Strikers), Laura Rafferty (Southampton Women), Demi Vance (Rangers Women).
Midfielders: Nadene Caldwell (Glentoran Women), Joely Andrews (Glentoran Women), Chloe McCarron (Glentoran Women), Marissa Callaghan (Cliftonville Ladies), Louise McDaniel (Cliftonville Ladies), Rachel Furness (Liverpool Women).
Forwards: Simone Magill (unattached), Caitlin McGuinness (Cliftonvillle Ladies), Kirsty McGuinness (Cliftonville Ladies), Lauren Wade (Glentoran Women), Emily Wilson (Crusaders Strikers).
Tournament history
- Euro 1984: Did not qualify
- Euro 1987: Did not qualify
- Euro 1989: Did not qualify
- Euro 1991: Did not qualify
- Euro 1993: Did not qualify
- Euro 1995: Did not qualify
- Euro 1997: Did not qualify
- Euro 2001: Did not qualify
- Euro 2005: Did not qualify
- Euro 2009: Did not qualify
- Euro 2013: Did not qualify
- Euro 2017: Did not qualify
Who is to come in the quarter-finals?
The group winner will play the runners-up from Group B on Wednesday, July 20, with the match kicking off at 8pm at the Brighton and Hove Community Stadium.
England are the favourites, but whoever does prevail will still likely find themselves up against stern opposition, with Group B undoubtedly the tournament’s ‘Group of Death’.
Spain are the tournament favourites and are expected to top Group B, but Denmark – who lost out to the Netherlands in the final last time out in 2017 – and Germany could push them all the way.
Spain have 2021 Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas in their ranks and come into the tournament as favourites
The quarter-finals could see England play Germany, who they beat to win the Arnold Clark Cup
It’s Germany who are the more likely to compete with Spain, however, having largely dominated women’s football in recent history.
They won six consecutive titles between 1995 and 2013, before bowing out in the quarter-finals in 2017.
The Group A runners-up will take on the winners of Group B which, as stated, will likely be Spain. The match will take place on Thursday, July 21 at the London Community Stadium.