Women’s Euros 2022 preview: Germany face Spain in potential Group B decider while Denmark play Finland | Football News

Germany and Spain meet in the stand-out match of the second round of fixtures at the Women’s Euros, while Denmark and Finland do battle for third in Group B.

Germany vs Spain: Top contenders fight it out for top spot

Germany and Spain is one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the group stages, and could have significance for England, as the result might decide the Lionesses’ quarter-final opponents.

Record eight-time winners Germany got off to a flying start in the tournament by thrashing Denmark 4-0 at Brentford Community Stadium. Meanwhile, favourites Spain were similarly impressive in their opening encounter, as they eased past Finland 4-1 win, despite conceding an early goal.

It would be unwise to expect a repeat from either side against significantly tougher opposition – indeed Germany were one of only two sides, along with England, to open with a clean sheet – but the game in Brentford is still sure to be a major draw.

Spain have never beaten Germany, but came close at the Arnold Clark Cup in February, drawing 1-1.

Team news: Germany striker Lea Schuller has been ruled out of match against Spain in Brentford after testing positive for Covid.

Spain coach Jorge Vilda doubted Schuller’s absence would be a major factor.

“Germany does not depend on any one player, they have a top-class squad,” he told reporters before a training session. “I don’t think it will change the match. They have plenty of options.”

Spain remain without midfielder and Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas after she suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament on the eve of the tournament, which ruled her out of the Euros.

Gernany trio Marina Hegering, Lena Oberdorf, Felicitas Rauch are one booking away from a suspension, while Spain’s Irene Paredes will also miss the next match if she picks up a yellow card.

Denmark vs Finland: Underdogs do battle for third

Denmark and Finland are likely playing for third place after heavy defeats in their opening group B matches.

The Danes will have to find a way past Finland’s Tinja-Riikka Korpela, who made nine saves in the opening fixture, more than any other keeper.

Denmark, who were finalists in the 2017 Euros final, need a win to keep any hope alive that they will avoid failing to progress from the group stages for the first time since 2009.

Team news: Kathrine Moller Kuhl is unavailable for Denmark as she is suspended after receiving a red card in their 4-0 defeat to Germany. The 19-year-old is expected to be replaced in midfield by Sanne Troelsgaard.

Follow Euro 2022 across Sky Sports

Keep up with all the latest from Euro 2022 across Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.

Coverage will be anchored by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will give analysis throughout the tournament.

They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.

The pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women’s Euro 2022 Mobile Presentation Bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where matches are being played.

In addition, Sky Sports’ Essential Football Podcast will be rebranded for the tournament to Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast from 21 June. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews in addition to a strong programme line-up around the tournament.

Euro 2022: The groups…

Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland

Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland

Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland

Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland

Euro 2022: The schedule…

Group stage

Wednesday July 6

Group A: England 1-0 Austria

Thursday July 7

Group A: Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland

Friday July 8

Group B: Spain 4-1 Finland

Group B: Germany 4-0 Denmark

Saturday July 9

Group C: Portugal 2-2 Switzerland

Group C: Netherlands 1-1 Sweden

Sunday July 10

Group D: Belgium 1-1 Iceland

Group D: France 5-1 Italy

Monday July 11

Group A: Austria 2-0 Northern Ireland

Group A: England v Norway – kick-off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium

Tuesday July 12

Group B: Denmark vs Finland – kick-off 5pm, Stadium MK

Group B: Germany vs Spain – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium

Wednesday July 13

Group C: Sweden vs Switzerland – kick-off 5pm, Bramall Lane

Group C: Netherlands v Portugal – kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village

Thursday July 14

Group D: Italy vs Iceland – kick-off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium

Group D: France vs Belgium – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium

Friday July 15

Group A: Northern Ireland v England – kick-off 8pm, St Mary’s

Group A: Austria vs Norway – kick-off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium

Saturday July 16

Group B: Finland vs Germany – kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK

Group B: Denmark vs Spain – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium

Sunday July 17

Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands – kick-off 5pm, Bramall Lane

Group C: Sweden vs Portugal – kick-off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village

Monday July 18

Group D: Iceland vs France – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium

Group D: Italy vs Belgium – kick-off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium

Knockout phase

Quarter-finals

Wednesday July 20

Quarter-final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B – kick-off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium

Thursday July 21

Quarter-final 2: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium

Friday July 22

Quarter-final 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D – kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village

Quarter-final 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium

Semi-finals

Tuesday July 26

Semi-final 1: Winners quarter-final 1 v Winners quarter-final 3 – kick-off 8pm, Bramall Lane

Wednesday July 27

Semi-final 2: Winners quarter-final 2 v Winners quarter-final 4 – kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK

Final

Sunday July 31

Winners semi-final 1 v Winners semi-final 2 – kick-off 5pm, Wembley