Our Game Magazine Editorial Calendar UPCOMING ISSUES NCAA 2017 NWSL Photo Issue
Issue 35 Our Game Magazine Euro 2017 Editorial Rachael Caldwell JJ Duke Ruth Moore Brandi Ortega @OURGAMEMAGAZINE Subscription Info: info@ourgamemag.com or http://www.ourgamemag.com/subscribe Customer Service: Address changes or billing inquiries to customerservice@ourgamemag.com Advertising Info: advertising@ourgamemag.com Reprints and Permissions: info@ourgamemag.com CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 4 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE 8 GROUP OVERVIEWS GROUP A 15 GROUP B 29 GROUP C 43 GROUP D 57 REFEREES 70 VENUES 71 VERO BOQUETE: PRESENT IN HISTORY 72 Letters to the Editor and other submissions: submissions@ourgamemag.com Our Game Magazine (ISSN 2328-093X) is published four times a year by Our Game LLC. All content (unless otherwise noted) is Copyright 2017 Our Game LLC. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
UEFA Women s Euro 2017 The UEFA European Women s Championship is currently held every four years between countries represented by the UEFA continental confederation. The first three finals competitions (1984, 1987, 1989) were known as the UEFA European Competition for Representative Women s Teams. After the 1989 tournament, the competition was given status as the European Championship and given the name it holds today. In 1991 and 1995, the competition was used as the European qualifying tournament for the World Cup. The competition has expanded since its beginnings in 1984 as a four-team tournament and biennial event. In 1997, eight teams competed and the competition thereafter became a quadrennial event. The tournament again expanded in 2009 to 12 teams and in 2017 was expanded to 16 teams. 4 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
UEFA European Women s Championship 2013: Germany 1-0 Norway 2009: Germany 6-2 England 2005: Germany 3-1 Norway 2001: Germany 1-0 Sweden (aet) 1997: Germany 2-0 Italy 1995: Germany 3-2 Sweden 1993: Norway 1-0 Italy 1991: Germany 3-1 Norway (aet) UEFA European Competition for Representative Women s Teams 1989: West Germany 4-1 Norway 1987: Norway 2-1 Sweden 1984: Sweden 1-1 England; a home-and-home series and Sweden won, 4-3, on penalties in the final leg. QUALIFICATION The Euro 2017 tournament is the culmination of a years-long competition that features a preliminary round, qualifying group stage, and playoffs. Qualification for the finals tournament begins with a preliminary round in which lower-ranked national teams compete in mini-tournaments. The winners progress to a qualifying group stage and joined by the 38 highest-ranked national teams to compete in eight groups of five sides. From there, the group winners and six best runners-up advance to the finals tournament along with the host country. A playoff for the final spot is held between the next best runners-up. PAST WINNERS Germany has dominated the tournament, winning eight of the nine competitions, including the last six competitions. Prior to 1991, the competition was known as the UEFA European Competition. EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 5
UEFA Women s Euro 2017 FORMAT The group stage consists of 16 teams in four groups playing in a round-robin format. The group winner and runner-up will advance to the quarterfinal stage. In the event teams tie on points, the following tiebreakers will be used to determine which team advances: points goal differential in head-to-head matches goals scored in head-to-head matches goal differential through all group matches goals scored through all group matches disciplinary points (reds = 3 points; yellows = 1 point; two yellows in one match = 3 points) UEFA coefficient for the final draw. Penalty shootouts will determine which team advances if both teams meet in the last round of the group stage and are tied on the above tiebreaker criteria. 6 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
# Euros in Numbers EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 7
Group Stage DENMARK VS BELGIUM NETHERLANDS VS NORWAY GERMANY VS SWEDEN ITALY VS RUSSIA FRANCE VS ICELAND AUSTRIA VS SWITZERLAND ENGLAND VS SCOTLAND SPAIN VS PORTUGAL 8 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
NETHERLANDS VS DENMARK NORWAY VS BELGIUM GERMANY VS ITALY SWEDEN VS RUSSIA FRANCE VS AUSTRIA ICELAND VS SWITZERLAND ENGLAND VS SPAIN SCOTLAND VS PORTUGAL EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 9
Group Stage BELGIUM VS NETHERLANDS NORWAY VS DENMARK RUSSIA VS GERMANY SWEDEN VS ITALY SWITZERLAND VS FRANCE ICELAND VS AUSTRIA PORTUGAL VS ENGLAND SCOTLAND VS SPAIN 10 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Quarterfinals QF1 WINNER A VS RUNNER-UP B WINNER B VS RUNNER-UP A QF2 WINNER C VS RUNNER-UP D QF3 WINNER D VS RUNNER-UP C QF4 EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 11
Semifinals AUG 3 WINNER QF1 VS WINNER QF4 WINNER QF2 VS WINNER QF3 12 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Final AUG 6 WINNER SF1 VS WINNER SF2 EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 13
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A Netherlands Norway Denmark Belgium Featuring three teams ranked in FIFA s top 20, this is probably the most evenly matched group. Points will be at a premium so expect a tight group stage. Group A boasts formidable strikers with the likes of Vivianne Miedema, Ada Hegerberg, Pernille Harder, Nadia Nadim, and Tessa Wullaert. Group Stage Predictions 1. Norway 2. Netherlands 3. Denmark 4. Belgium Brandi Ortega EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 15
Netherlands 16 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM IQRemix from Canada; FIFA Women s World Cup Canada 2015 - Edmonton; CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Roster GOALKEEPERS Angela Christ (PSV/FC Eindhoven) Loes Geurts (Paris Saint-Germain) Sari van Veenendaal (Arsenal LFC) DEFENDERS Mandy van den Berg (c) (Reading FC) Sheila van den Bulk (Djurgårdens IF) Kika van Es (Achilles 29) Stefanie van der Gragt (AFC Ajax) Dominique Janssen (Arsenal LFC) Desiree van Lunteren (AFC Ajax) Liza van der Most (AFC Ajax) MIDFIELDERS Anouk Dekker (Montpellier Hérault SC) Daniëlle van de Donk (Arsenal LFC) Sisca Folkertsma (AFC Ajax) Jackie Groenen (1. FFC Frankfurt) Vanity Lewerissa (PSV/FC Eindhoven) Jill Roord (FC Bayern München) Sherida Spitse (FC Twente) Kelly Zeeman (AFC Ajax) FORWARDS Lineth Beerensteyn (FC Bayern München) Renate Jansen (FC Twente) Lieke Martens (FC Rosengård) Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal LFC) Shanice van de Sanden (Liverpool LFC) Current FIFA Ranking: 12 Group Stage Matches JULY 16 vs. Norway in Utrecht JULY 20 vs. Denmark in Rotterdam JULY 24 vs. Belgium in Tilburg COACH Sarina Wiegman EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 17
Make or Break Game Norway As hosts, the Netherlands open the tournament against a strong Norwegian side in a soldout match. Player to Watch Vivianne Miedema It s easy to forget that Miedema is only 20 years old given her first cap came in 2013. Since then, Miedema has found the back of the net for the Dutch 34 times, including scoring all three against Italy in a qualification playoff series to send the Netherlands to its first women s World Cup in 2015. The Arsenal striker has an excellent instinct for goal and if she can find service early and often, will make life difficult for any back line. Tournament History The Netherlands made its first Euros tournament finals appearance in 2009 and advanced to the semifinals where the Oranje lost to England, 1-2. In the 2013 tournament, the Netherlands finished at the bottom of Group B and failed to advance out of the group stage. Road to Euro 2017 As hosts of the tournament, the Netherlands automatically qualified for the finals when the country was chosen as hosts in 2014. Since then, the Netherlands made it to the Round of 16 of the 2015 World Cup in Canada but lost to Japan, 1-2. More recently, the Oranje defeated Japan, 3-2, at the 2017 Algarve Cup and finished fifth. 18 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Norway G.Garitan, own work; CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 19
Roster GOALKEEPERS Ingrid Hjelmseth (Stabæk Fotball) Cecilie Hauståker Fiskerstrand (LSK Kvinner) Oda Maria Hove Bogstad (Klepp IL) DEFENDERS Ingrid Moe Wold (LSK Kvinner) Maria Thorisdottir (Klepp IL) Nora Holstad Berge (FC Bayern München) Anja Sønstevold (LSK Kvinner) Stine Pettersen Reinås (Stabæk Fotball) Tuva Hansen (Klepp IL) Kristine Bjørdal Leine (Røa Fotball Elite) Elise Hove Thorsnes (Avaldsnes IL) Maren Nævdal Mjelde (Chelsea LFC) MIDFIELDERS Ingvild Landvik Isaksen (Stabæk Fotball) Andrine Stolsmo Hegerberg (Birmingham City) Ingrid Marie Karlsen Spord (LSK Kvinner) Ingrid Schjelderup (Eskilstuna) Frida Leonhardsen Maanum (Stabæk Fotball) FORWARDS Caroline Graham Hansen (VfL Wolfsburg) Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland (Røa Fotball Elite) Emilie Haavi (Boston Breakers) Guro Reiten (LSK Kvinner) Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg (Lyon) Kristine Minde (Linköping FC) Current FIFA Ranking: 11 Group Stage Matches JULY 16 vs. Netherlands in Utrecht JULY 20 vs. Belgium in Breda JULY 24 vs. Denmark in Deventer COACH Martin Sjögren 20 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Make or Break Game Netherlands Norway must start off strong against the home side and absorb early pressure from a squad eager to give a sold-out crowd a good show. Ada Hegerberg is the focal point in the attack for Norway and for defenses, leaving opportunity for midfielder/striker Caroline Graham Hansen to make her mark. Should Hegerberg and Hansen find a rhythm, Norway will advance out of the group stage and be well prepped for a run through the knockout stages. Player to Watch Ada Hegerberg The Olympique Lyon striker has been nothing short of brilliant for her club and will need to carry the load for a Norwegian team that is lacking in the midfield with the exception of Hansen. Tournament History Norway enjoys a rich history in European championship tourneys, qualifying for all but one (1984) tournament and winning it twice (1987 and 1993). The worst finish for the squad came in 1997 when the Grasshoppers failed to make it out of the group stage. The four-time runnersup will be looking to reach the championship match and erase the memory of a 0-1 loss to Germany in the 2013 tournament. Road to Euro 2017 Norway qualified for the Euro 2017 finals after finishing top of Group 8 with seven wins and a draw against Austria. An early powerhouse in women s soccer in the 80s and 90s, Norway s form declined in the aughts but recent results against Sweden and England, and a fairly strong showing against the United States, more than suggests a team capable of turning things around. EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 21
Denmark 22 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Kw0 (Own work); CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Roster GOALKEEPERS Stina Lykke Petersen (Denmark KoldingQ) Maria Lindblad Christensen (Fortuna Hjørring) Line Geltzer Johansen (Vejle Boldklub) DEFENDERS Line Røddik Hansen (FC Barcelona) Janni Arnth (Linköpings FC) Simone Boye Sørensen (FC Rosengård) Theresa Nielsen (Vålerenga IF) Mie Leth Jans (Manchester City WFC) Cecilie Sandvej (1. FFC Frankfurt) Stine Ballisager Pedersen (IK Skovbakken) Luna Gevitz (Fortuna Hjørring) MIDFIELDERS Maja Kildemoes (Linköpings FC) Nanna Christiansen (Brøndby IF) Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen (FC Rosengård) Katrine Veje (Montpellier Hérault SC) Sofie Junge Pedersen (FC Rosengård) Frederikke Thøgersen (Fortuna Hjørring) Line Sigvardsen Jensen (Washington Spirit) FORWARDS Nadia Nadim (Portland Thorns FC) Pernille Harder (c) (VfL Wolfsburg) Stine Larsen (Brøndby IF) Nicoline Sørensen (Brøndby IF) Sarah Dyrehauge Hansen (Fortuna Hjørring) Current FIFA Ranking: 15 Group Stage Matches JULY 16 vs. Belgium in Doetinchem JULY 20 vs. Netherlands in Rotterdam JULY 24 vs. Norway in Deventer COACH Nils Nielsen EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 23
Make or Break Game Belgium With group heavyweights Norway and Netherlands facing off in the opening match, it s imperative Denmark take full points against Belgium. With three points in the bank, Denmark positions itself well for its next match, a do-or-die against the Netherlands, a match in which the Danes must take away at least one point if they have any hopes of advancing to the knockout stage. Tournament History Denmark was a semifinalist in 1984 but then failed to qualify for the 1987 and 1989 tournaments. The squad returned for two thirdplace finishes in 1991 and 1993 but again took a dip in results and was absent from the 1995 tournament. Since then, the Danes have qualified for every tournament, including a semifinal loss in penalties to France in 2013. Player to Watch Nadia Nadim Nadim has been a bright spot for her club, the Portland Thorns, with four goals in eight starts but was recently hampered by a hamstring strain. Nadim brings energy every time she steps on the field and will most likely pair up with Pernille Harder, making their partnership a tough one for any team to defend. Road to Euro 2017 Denmark qualified after finishing second in Group 4 of qualifying, recording six wins, a loss, and a draw. The loss came at the hands of group winners Sweden in a tight one-goal game and the draw against third-place finishers Poland. More recently, Denmark placed third at the 2017 Algarve Cup in a run that saw the Danes test Canada in a groupstage loss on a Christine Sinclair goal in the 90th minute. 24 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Belgium StampMedia from Belgium; CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/2.0) via Wikimedia Commons EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 25
Roster GOALKEEPERS Nicky Evrard (AA Gent) Diede Lemey (RSC Anderlecht) Justien Odeurs (FF USV Jena) DEFENDERS Imke Courtois (Standard Fémina de Liège) Maud Coutereels (LOSC Féminines) Laura Deloose (RSC Anderlecht) Laura De Neve (RSC Anderlecht) Heleen Jaques (RSC Anderlecht) Nicky Van Den Abbeele (RSC Anderlecht) Lorca Van De Putte (Kristianstads DFF) Aline Zeler (c) (RSC Anderlecht) MIDFIELDERS Julie Biesmans (Standard Fémina de Liège) Kassandra Missipo (AA Gent) Lenie Onzia (FC Twente) Elien Van Wynendaele (AA Gent) Janice Cayman (Montpellier Hérault SC) Jana Coryn (LOSC Féminines) Yana Daniels (RSC Anderlecht) Tine De Caigny (RSC Anderlecht) FORWARDS Current FIFA Ranking: 22 Group Stage Matches JULY 16 vs. Denmark in Doetinchem JULY 20 vs. Norway in Breda JULY 24 vs. Netherlands in Tilburg Davina Philtjens (AFC Ajax) Elke Van Gorp (AA Gent) Davinia Vanmechelen (Standard Fémina de Liège) Tessa Wullaert (VfL Wolfsburg) COACH Ives Serneels 26 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Make or Break Game All of them, but Denmark. It s tough to see Belgium advancing out of the group stage in this group stage. Defense is a weak link for Belgium and with a group featuring the likes of Hegeberg and Miedema, it could be a long tournament for their defense. Player to Watch Tessa Wullaert Wullaert, along with Janice Cayman, will be expected to bear the scoring load for the Red Flames. Tournament History Belgium is making its first appearance in the European championships. How significant is this? Very. Belgium has yet to qualify for a Women s World Cup or Olympics. The squad has started to improve of late, including a fifth-place finish in the 2016 Algarve Cup and a seventh-place finish in the 2017 Cyprus Cup. Road to Euro 2017 Thrown in with England and Serbia in Group 7, Belgium won five games, enough for a runners-up placement and qualification for the final tournament. Their only loss came at the hands of England, a 0-2 affair that was closer than the Lionesses would have liked. EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 27
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Germany Sweden Italy Russia B B The Germans have dominated the championships and, in theory, should advance out of the group in the top spot. Germany s strongest challenger in the group is Sweden, a team capable of taking down any team but often fails to live up to its potential. Both teams will need to focus on the games at hand and not get caught looking too far ahead. Of the two, Sweden might be the more vulnerable but Russia and Italy don t have the personnel to sustain a deep run in the tournament. The group kicks off with a rematch of the Rio 2016 gold-medal match between Germany and Sweden. A 1-1 draw with England in April for Italy suggests the Azurre can cause problems for teams but a lack of finishing power and the loss of playmaker Alice Parisi to a broken leg earlier in the year will make it difficult to advance. Group Stage Predictions 1. Germany 2. Sweden 3. Italy 4. Russia Brandi Ortega EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 29
Germany 30 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Caroline Charruyer
Roster GOALKEEPERS Almuth Schult (VfL Wolfsburg) Laura Benkarth (SC Freiburg) Lisa Weiß (SGS Essen) DEFENDERS Josephine Henning (Olympique Lyonnais) Kathrin Hendrich (1. FFC Frankfurt) Leonie Maier (FC Bayern München) Babett Peter (VfL Wolfsburg) Kristin Demann (FC Bayern München) Carolin Simon (SC Freiburg) Anna Blässe (VfL Wolfsburg) Isabel Kerschowski (VfL Wolfsburg) MIDFIELDERS Lena Goeßling (VfL Wolfsburg) Dzsenifer Marozsán (c) (Olympique Lyonnais) Sara Däbritz (FC Bayern München) Sara Doorsoun (SGS Essen) Linda Dallmann (SGS Essen) Lina Magull (SC Freiburg) Tabea Kemme (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) FORWARDS Mandy Islacker (1. FFC Frankfurt) Anja Mittag (FC Rosengård) Lena Petermann (SC Freiburg) Svenja Huth (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) Hasret Kayikçi (SC Freiburg) Current FIFA Ranking: 2 Group Stage Matches JULY 17 vs. Sweden in Breda JULY 21 vs. Italy in Tilburg JULY 25 vs. Russia in Utrecht COACH Steffi Jones EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 31
Make or Break Game Sweden The group stage starts off with a matchup between the favorites to advance. It s crucial for Germany to start strong, set the tempo, and take maximum points from the Swedes. Player to Watch Dzsenifer Marozsán Reinvigorated after moving to France to join Olympique Lyon, Marozsán at her best propels the German attack, and a squad in transition under new head coach Steffi Jones will look to the captain for a strong performance and leadership. Side note: Germany s starting keeper, Almuth Schult, can be, er, adventurous so she ll need to be focused and consistent for her side and not make careless errors. Tournament History Germany s Euro dominance didn t start out that way, with the country failing to qualify for the 1984 and 1987 versions of the tournament. Since its first appearance and championship in 1989, however, Germany has dominated the winner s podium, except for a fourth-place finish in 1993. Road to Euro 2017 No real drama in qualifying for the winners of Group 5. The squad didn t concede a goal through eight games and advanced with a goal differential of +35. 32 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Sweden Agência Brasília; CC BY 2.0 (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/2.0)] via Wikimedia Commons EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 33
Roster GOALKEEPERS Hedvig Lindahl (Chelsea LFC) Hilda Carlén (Piteå IF) Emelie Lundberg (Eskilstuna United) DEFENDERS Linda Sembrant (Montpellier Hérault SC) Emma Berglund (Paris Saint-Germain) Nilla Fischer (VfL Wolfsburg) Magdalena Ericsson (Linköpings FC) Jessica Samuelsson (Linköpings FC) Hanna Glas (Eskilstuna United) MIDFIELDERS Jonna Andersson (Linköpings FC) Lisa Dahlkvist (KIF Örebro DFF) Kosovare Asllani (Manchester City) Julia Spetsmark (KIF Örebro DFF) Josefin Johansson (Piteå IF) Hanna Folkesson (FC Rosengård) Caroline Seger (c) (Olympique Lyonnais) Elin Rubensson (Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC) FORWARDS Lotta Schelin (FC Rosengård) Stina Blackstenius (Montpellier Hérault SC) Fridolina Rolfö (FC Bayern München) Pauline Hammarlund (Kopparbergs/ Göteborg FC) Mimmi Larsson (Eskilstuna United) Olivia Schough (Eskilstuna United) Current FIFA Ranking: 9 Group Stage Matches JULY 17 vs. Germany in Breda JULY 21 vs. Russia in Deventer JULY 25 vs. Italy in Doetinchem COACH Pia Sundhage 34 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Make or Break Game Germany Should Sweden fall in its opening match to Germany, advancing out of the group stage is still possible but puts an emphasis on what Russia and Italy do so taking a point or full points is key. Concentration, enthusiasm, and so on, must be maintained for Pia Sundhage s squad; the talent, a mixture of veterans and youth, is there but the results are sometimes (and curiously) lacking. Player to Watch Stina Blackstenius The forward was terrific in Rio, scoring against the United States in the quarterfinal and against Germany in the goldmedal match. With eyes on Lotta Schelin, Blackstenius can find space and time to get on the board. The 21-yearold hasn t had the scoring touch for new club Montpellier Hérault SC since her move from Linköpings FC, so a strong showing in international competition could be what s needed to kick start the next club season for her. Tournament History Sweden won the first championship in 1984. Except for 1991 and 1993, when the country failed to qualify, Sweden has made it to the knockout round of every tournament. The three-time runners-up (1987, 1995, 2001) bowed out in the semifinals of the 2013 tournament after falling to eventual champion Germany, 0-1. Road to Euro 2017 Sweden topped Group 4 of qualifying and booked their flight to the Netherlands. Sweden s only loss during qualification came at the hands of Denmark, a 0-2 loss in the final match of the qualifying round. EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 35
Italy 36 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Brad Smith/isiphotos.com
Roster GOALKEEPERS Laura Giuliani (SC Freiburg) Chiara Marchitelli (Brescia Calcio Femminile) Katja Schroffenegger (Unterland Damen) DEFENDERS Cecilia Salvai (Brescia Calcio Femminile) Sara Gama (Brescia Calcio Femminile) Elena Linari (Fiorentina Women s FC) Alia Guagni (Fiorentina Women s FC) Elisa Bartoli (Fiorentina Women s FC) Linda Tucceri (USD San Zaccaria) Federica Di Criscio (ASD AGSM Verona FC) MIDFIELDERS Daniela Stracchi (ASD Mozzanica) Martina Rosucci (Brescia Calcio Femminile) Barbara Bonansea (Brescia Calcio Femminile) Laura Fusetti (FCF Como 2000) Manuela Giugliano (ASD AGSM Verona FC) Aurora Galli (ASD AGSM Verona FC) Valentina Cernoia (Brescia Calcio Femminile) Marta Carissimi (Fiorentina Women s FC) FORWARDS Sandy Iannella (ASD Cuneo Calcio Femminile) Melania Gabbiadini (ASD AGSM Verona FC) Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina Women s FC) Daniela Sabatino (Brescia Calcio Femminile) Cristiana Girelli (Brescia Calcio Femminile) Current FIFA Ranking: 18 Group Stage Matches JULY 17 vs. Russia in Rotterdam JULY 21 vs. Germany in Tilburg JULY 25 vs. Sweden in Doetinchem COACH Antonio Cabrini EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 37
Make or Break Game Russia Full points against Russia are imperative if Italy hopes for any chance of advancing out of the group stage. Player to Watch Melania Gabbiadini At 33, Gabbiadini leads the team in goals scored and caps. In Italy s 1-1 friendly with England, the Azurre s attack improved with Gabbiadini on the field as a second-half substitute.. Tournament History Unofficially, meaning unrecognized by a governing body, Italy won the four-team 1969 European championship, and were finalists in the 1979 tournament, also nonsanctioned. Since then, Italy has qualified for every Euro finals tournament, making it to the finals in 1993 and 1997. Italy comes into the 2017 competition with a streak of four consecutive quarterfinal appearances on the line (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013). Road to Euro 2017 Italy qualified as the runner-up in Group 6 of qualifying, posting six wins and two losses. The two losses came at the hands of group winner Switzerland. In the group qualifying stage, Italy conceded eight times and scored 26 times, good for a +18 margin in goal differential. 38 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Russia Brad Smith/isiphotos.com EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 39
Roster GOALKEEPERS Tatyana Shcherbak (Kubanochka Krasnodar) Alena Belyaeva (Chertanovo Moscow) Yulia Grichenko (WFC Rossiyanka) DEFENDERS Anna Kozhnikova (CSKA Moscow) Viktoriya Shkoda (Kubanochka Krasnodar) Daria Makarenko (Ryazan VDV) Anna Belomyttseva (Ryazan VDV) Nasiba Gasanova (Kubanochka Krasnodar) Ekaterina Morozova (Chertanovo Moscow) MIDFIELDERS Natala Solodkaya (Kubanochka Krasnodar) Tatiana Sheykina (Ryazan VDV) Anastasia Pozdeeva (Zvezda 2005 Perm) Anna Cholovyaga (CSKA Moscow) Nadezhda Smirnova (CSKA Moscow) Elvira Ziyastinova (CSKA Moscow) Margarita Chernomyrdina (Chertanovo Moscow) Elena Morozova (Kubanochka Krasnodar) FORWARDS Nadezhda Karpova (Chertanovo Moscow) Ekaterina Sochneva (CSKA Moscow) Elena Danilova (Ryazan VDV) Marina Fedorova (Ryazan VDV) Ekaterina Pantyukhina (Zvezda 2005 Perm) Marina Kiskonen Current FIFA Ranking: 25 Group Stage Matches JULY 17 vs. Italy in Rotterdam JULY 21 vs. Sweden in Deventer JULY 25 vs. Germany in Utrecht COACH Elena Fomina 40 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Make or Break Game Italy Russia and Italy will battle for third-place, though Italy has more of a chance to advance should it take points in this match. Russia could play the role of spoiler, though, if it can take a point here and head into its final two group-stage matches with confidence. Tournament History Russia made it to the quarterfinals of the 1993 and 1995 European championship but have failed to make it out of the group stage since then. In 2005, the country didn t qualify for the tournament. Player to Watch Nadezhda Karpova Despite the lopsided victories the United States posted against Russia in April, Karpova was a spirited handful and scored the Russians only goal via a penalty kick in the twogame friendly series. Road to Euro 2017 In a qualifying group with current Euros titleholders Germany, Russia advanced to the championship as the group runner-up. It was an inconsistent qualifying campaign, with four wins and two draws and two losses. EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 41
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C France Iceland Austria Switzerland Group C doesn t seem to leave much room for drama as to who will finish first in the group. We can all agree that Austria is going to wreck shop here. Obviously kidding. All signs point to France taking care of business and finishing first while the rest of the group fights for the second qualifying spot. That being said, there s a reason the games aren t played on paper and a reason for this preview nothing has been set in stone just yet. Group Stage Predictions 1. France 2. Switzerland 3. Iceland 4. Austria Rachael Caldwell EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 43
France 44 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Caroline Charruyer
Roster GOALKEEPERS Sarah Bouhaddi (Olympique Lyonnais) Méline Gérard (Montpellier Hérault SC) Laëtitia Philippe (Montpellier Hérault SC) DEFENDERS Camille Abily (Olympique Lyonnais) Élise Bussaglia (FC Barcelona) Onema Grace Geyoro (Paris Saint-Germain) Amandine Henry (Portland Thorns FC) Claire Lavogez (Olympique Lyonnais) Gaëtane Thiney (FCF Juvisy) Sandie Toletti (Montpellier Hérault SC) MIDFIELDERS Cláudia Neto (c) (Linköpings FC) Laura Luis (FF USV Jena) Ana Leite (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Tatiana Pinto (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Fátima Pinto (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Dolores Silva (FF USV Jena) Amanda Da Costa (Boston Breakers) Jéssica Silva (Levante UD Femenino) Mélissa Antunes (SC Braga) FORWARDS Camille Catala (FCF Juvisy) Marie-Laure Delie (Paris Saint-Germain) Kadidiatou Diani (FCF Juvisy) Eugénie Le Sommer (Olympique Lyonnais) Elodie Thomis (Olympique Lyonnais) Current FIFA Ranking: 3 Group Stage Matches JULY 18 vs. Iceland in Tilburg JULY 22 vs. Austria in Utrecht JULY 26 vs. Switzerland in Breda COACH Olivier Echouafni EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 45
Make or Break Game Switzerland The final group game for France, perhaps already with their ticket to the next round punched, against a Switzerland team that might be fighting for their Euro lives. If France comes into this game without full focus a valid concern with this side they could end up with a loss. Player to Watch Wendie Renard When France laid a 3-0 scoreline on the mighty United States in this year s SheBelieves Cup, Big Wendie was on fire defensively and a threat on set pieces. Renard can take over an entire match. Tournament History France made its tournament debut in 1997 and has qualified for the competition since then. Les Bleues come into the 2017 tournament after quarterfinal finishes in 2009 and 2013. Road to Euro 2017 France qualified easily out of Group 3 without conceding a goal. In 2017, France had strong showings against the United States, England, and Germany in the SheBelieves Cup in March in preparation for the tournament. The question with France is always which French side will show up in the tournament? The one capable of delivering knockout blows to the reigning World Cup champs or the side that can be listless and uninterested? 46 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Iceland Andreas Nilsson/bilderna.it via Wikimedia Commons EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 47
Roster GOALKEEPERS Guðbjörg Gunnarsdóttir (Djurgårdens IF) Sandra Sigurðardóttir (Valur) Sonny Lara Þráinsdóttir (Breiðablik UBK) DEFENDERS Anna Björk Kristjánsdóttir (IF Limhamn Bunkeflo) Arna Sif Ásgrímsdóttir (Valur) Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir (Eskilstuna Utd) Hallbera Guðný Gísladóttir (Djurgårdens IF) Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Breiðablik UBK) Málfríður E. Sigurdardottir (Valur) Rakel Hönnudóttir (Breiðablik UBK) Sif Atladóttir (Kristianstads DFF) MIDFIELDERS Dagný Brynjarsdóttir (Portland Thorns FC) Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir (Vålerenga Fotball Damer) Hólmfríður Magnúsdóttir (Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur) Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir (VfL Wolfsburg) Sigridur Lara Garðarsdóttir (ÍBV) FORWARDS Agla María Albertsdóttir (Stjarnan Women) Berglind Björg Þorvaldsd. Elín Metta Jensen (Valur) Fanndís Friðriksdóttir (Breiðablik UBK) Harpa Þorsteinsdóttir (Stjarnan Women) Katrín Ásbjörnsdóttir (Stjarnan Women) Sandra María Jessen (Þór Akureyri) Current FIFA Ranking: 19 Group Stage Matches JULY 18 vs. France in Tilburg JULY 22 vs. Switzerland in Doetinchem JULY 26 vs. Austria in Rotterdam COACH Freyr Alexandersson 48 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Make or Break Game France It s the first group match of the tournament for both teams and there s no doubt Iceland will be looking to make an impression and upset the big dogs. However, if they stretch themselves too thin looking for goals, it could put them in a hole they can t dig out of later. Player to Watch Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir Gunnarsdóttir is coming off a solid debut season with VfL Wolfsburg that included a Frauen-Bundesliga title. She s in form and could be primed to play a major role for Iceland, especially with Dagný Brynjarsdóttir still recovering from injury and who has yet to play for the Portland Thorns in the National Women s Soccer League (NWSL) this season. Tournament History Iceland s history in the European championships is relatively recent, with 2009 being the debut appearance for the country. The squad finished last in a group that featured Germany, France, and Norway. In 2013, Iceland advanced out of the group stage but fell to Sweden, 0-4, in the quarterfinals. Road to Euro 2017 Iceland topped Group 1 on goal differential to qualify, losing to group runner-up Scotland in the final match of the qualifying round. EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 49
Austria 50 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Ailura; CC BY-SA 3.0 AT [CC BY-SA 3.0 at (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/at/deed.en) or CC BY-SA 3.0 at (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-sa/3.0/at/deed.en)] via Wikimedia Commons
Roster GOALKEEPERS Carolin Größinger (FC Bergheim) Jasmin Pfeiler (SKV Altenmarkt) Manuela Zinsberger (FC Bayern München) DEFENDERS Marina Georgieva (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) Virginia Kirchberger (MSV Duisburg) Sophie Maierhofer (University of Kansas) Katharina Naschenweng (SK Sturm Graz Damen) Katharina Schiechtl (SV Werder Bremen) Viktoria Schnaderbeck (FC Bayern München) Carina Wenninger (FC Bayern München) MIDFIELDERS Verena Aschauer (SC Sand) Barbara Dunst (MSV Duisburg) Jasmin Eder (SKN St. Pölten Frauen) Jennifer Klein (NÖSV Neulengbach) Nadine Prohaska (SKN St. Pölten Frauen) Sarah Puntigam (SC Freiburg) Sarah Zadrazil (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) FORWARDS Nicole Billa (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) Nina Burger (SC Sand) Stefanie Enzinger (SK Sturm Graz Damen) Laura Feiersinger (SC Sand) Lisa Makas (MSV Duisburg) Viktoria Pinther (SKN St. Pölten Frauen) Current FIFA Ranking: 24 Group Stage Matches JULY 18 vs. Switzerland in Deventer JULY 22 vs. France in Utrecht JULY 26 vs. Iceland in Rotterdam COACH Dominik Thalhammer EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 51
Make or Break Game Switzerland It s the first game out of the gate for Austria, and a win here would make a statement. It would also put them in great position to possibly place second in this group. Tournament History This is the first European championships tournament for Austria. Player to Watch Nicole Billa Someone is going to replace Nina Burger eventually, and the heir apparent seems to be Billa. With two goals in the 2017 Cyprus Cup, Billa has shown her ability in international competition, and this will be the biggest test yet for the 21- year-old. Road to Euro 2017 Austria finished behind Norway in Group 8 of qualifying, winning five games and losing only once to group winners Norway. Recent results outside of qualifying include winning the 2016 Cyprus Cup. 52 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Switzerland Steven Limentani/isiphotos.com EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 53
Roster GOALKEEPERS Gaëlle Thalmann (AGSM Verona) Stenia Michel (FC Basel) Seraina Friedli (FC Zürich Frauen) DEFENDERS Caroline Abbé (c) (FC Zürich Frauen) Sandra Betschart (MSV Duisburg) Rahel Kiwic (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) Noëlle Maritz (VfL Wolfsburg) Rachel Rinast (FC Basel) Jana Brunner (FC Basel) Meriame Terchoun (FC Zürich Frauen) Géraldine Reuteler (FC Luzern) MIDFIELDERS Vanessa Bernauer (VfL Wolfsburg) Vanessa Bürki (FC Bayern München) Fabienne Humm (FC Zürich Frauen) Martina Moser (FC Zürich Frauen) Lia Wälti (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) Cinzia Zehnder (FC Zürich Frauen) FORWARDS Eseosa Aigbogun (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) Ramona Bachmann (Chelsea LFC) Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (1. FFC Frankfurt) Lara Dickenmann (VfL Wolfsburg) Viola Calligaris (BSC Young Boys) Sandrine Mauron (FC Zürich Frauen) Current FIFA Ranking: 17 Group Stage Matches JULY 18 vs. Austria in Deventer JULY 22 vs. Iceland in Doetinchem JULY 26 vs. France in Breda COACH Martina Voss-Tecklenburg 54 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Make or Break Game Iceland Most will have Iceland and Switzerland fighting it out for the second qualifying spot, meaning there will be a lot on the line in this match. Switzerland will have to face France after this one, making a win here all the more critical for their chances to advance. Player to Watch Ana-Maria Crnogorčević While defenses are focused on locating Lara Dickenmann or Ramona Bachmann, Crnogorčević emerging as a goal-scoring threat would make Switzerland a real danger to other teams. Tournament History Along with Belgium, Switzerland is making its first appearance in the championship tournament. Since its first Women s World Cup appearance in 2015, Switzerland has steadily improved and features a squad with several players gaining experience playing abroad. Road to Euro 2017 Switzerland won Group 6 of qualifying with eight wins and zero losses while conceding only three goals. That defensive effort will need to remain sharp against a French attack that can cause any team problems but its midfield will need to remain compact and patient to break down its Icelandic counterpart. EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 55
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D England Scotland Spain Portugal England is expected to top the group but recent Algarve Cup winner Spain has shown strong form of late, and debutant Scotland can certainly earn a result against any team in this group, making Group D one of peril. Portugal, the other tournament debutant, will likely be overmatched but can t be overlooked. Group Stage Predictions 1. England 2. Spain 3. Scotland 4. Portugal JJ Duke contributed to this preview EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 57
England 58 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Brad Smith/isiphotos.com
Roster GOALKEEPERS Karen Bardsley (Manchester City WFC) Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool LFC) Carly Telford (Chelsea LFC) DEFENDERS Lucia (Lucy) Bronze (Manchester City WFC) Demi Stokes (Manchester City WFC) Steph Houghton (Manchester City WFC) Josanne Potter (Reading FC Women) Casey Stoney (Liverpool LFC) Laura Bassett, unattached Alex Greenwood (Liverpool LFC) Alex Scott (Arsenal LFC) MIDFIELDERS NJill Scott (Manchester City WFC) Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal LFC) Isobel (Izzy) Christiansen (Manchester City WFC) Fara Williams (Arsenal LFC) Jade Moore (Reading FC Women) Karen Carney (Chelsea LFC) Millie Bright (Chelsea LFC) FORWARDS Jodie Taylor (Arsenal LFC) Nikita Parris (Manchester City WFC) Ellen White (Birmingham City LFC) Toni Duggan (FC Barcelona Femení) Francesca (Fran) Kirby (Chelsea LFC) Current FIFA Ranking: 5 Group Stage Matches JULY 19 vs. Scotland in Utrecht JULY 23 vs. Spain in Breda JULY 27 vs.portugal in Tilburg COACH Mark Sampson EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 59
Make or Break Game Spain Should everything go according to plan, England will enter its second group-stage match against Spain with three points. A win against Spain could allow head coach Mark Sampson to rotate and rest his squad against Portugal. A loss or draw against Scotland, however, means maximum points against the Spaniards are a must. Player to Watch Izzy Christiansen After moving to Manchester City from Birmingham City, the level of Christiansen s game has skyrocketed. Though the 2016 Player s Football Association (PFA) Women s Player of the Year has only a handful of caps to her name coming into the Euros, expect this to be a breakout tournament for her. Tournament History England was the runner-up in the 1984 version of the championship and followed that appearance up with a fourth-place finish in the 1987 tournament. After failing to qualify for three straight tournaments, the Lionesses made it to the semifinals in the 1995 tournament but then failed to qualify for the next one in 1997. The country s most recent strong finish came as runners-up in the 2009 tournament. Road to Euro 2017 England finished Group 7 with seven wins and a draw with Belgium. England conceded only once, also to Belgium, and scored 32 times for a goal differential of +31. 60 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Scotland Scottish Football Association EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 61
Roster GOALKEEPERS Gemma Fay (Stjarnan Women) Shannon Lynn (Vittsjö GIK) Lee Alexander (Glasgow City FC) DEFENDERS Vaila Barsley (Eskilstuna United) Joelle Murray (Hibernian LFC) Ifeoma Dieke (Vittsjö GIK) Rachel Corsie (Seattle Reign FC) Sophie Howard (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) Frankie Brown (Bristol City WFC) Rachel McLauchlan (Hibernian LFC) Kirsty Smith (Hibernian LFC) Chloe Arthur (Bristol City WFC) MIDFIELDERS Leanne Ross (Glasgow City FC) Joanne Love (Glasgow City FC) Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City FC) Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea LFC) Caroline Weir (Liverpool LFC) Leanne Crichton (Glasgow City FC) Lana Clelland (UPC Tavagnacco) FORWARDS Lisa Evans (Arsenal LFC) Jane Ross (Manchester City WFC) Christie Murray (Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC) Fiona Brown (Eskilstuna United) Current FIFA Ranking: 21 Group Stage Matches JULY 19 vs. England in Utrecht JULY 23 vs. Portugal in Rotterdam JULY 27 vs. Spain in Deventer COACH Anna Signeul 62 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Make or Break Game England Scotland must pick up a point against England in the opening match to avoid leaving it all on the line in the last group-stage match against Spain. Tournament History Scotland is making its debut in the finals. Player to Watch Caroline Weir Look no further than 21-year-old midfielder Caroline Weir. Weir s been playing competitive firstteam professional soccer in Scotland and England since her teenage years, and is a goal threat from the midfield. Road to Euro 2017 Scotland finished in second place in Group 1, tied on points with group winner Iceland, but a goal differential of +23 to Iceland s +32 kept them in second. EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 63
Spain 64 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Tim Bouwer/isiphotos.com
Roster GOALKEEPERS Dolores Gallardo (Atlético Madrid Femenino) María Asunción (Mariasun) Quiñones (Real Sociedad Femenino) Sandra Paños (FC Barcelona Femení) DEFENDERS Celia Jiménez (University of Alabama) Marta Torrejón (c) (FC Barcelona Femení) Irene Paredes (Paris Saint-Germain) Andrea Pereira (Atlético Madrid Femenino) Alexandra López (Atlético Madrid Femenino) María Pilar León (Atlético Madrid Femenino) Leila Ouahabi (FC Barcelona Femení) MIDFIELDERS Virginia Torrecilla (Montpellier Hérault SC) Amanda Sampedro (Atlético Madrid Femenino) Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona Femení) Vicky Losada (FC Barcelona Femení) Silvia Meseguer (Atlético Madrid Femenino) Mariona Caldentey (FC Barcelona Femení) Paula Nicart (Valencia CF Femenino) FORWARDS Marta Corredera (Atlético Madrid Femenino) María Paz Vilas (Valencia CF Femenino) Jennifer Hermoso (Paris Saint-Germain) Olga Garcia (FC Barcelona Femení) Esther González (Atlético Madrid Femenino) Bárbara Latorre (FC Barcelona Femení) Current FIFA Ranking: 13 Group Stage Matches JULY 19 vs. Portugal in Doetinchem JULY 23 vs. England in Breda JULY 27 vs. Scotland in Deventer COACH Jorge Vilda EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 65
Make or Break Game England Spain should get past Portugal in its first group match: but either way, it ll probably be a winner-take-all scenario against England. Player to Watch Alexia Putellas Putellas is already closing in on 50 caps with the national team and mainly features out wide because of her great pace. Putellas made a splash at the 2013 Euros, coming off the bench in Spain s first two group matches as a 19-year-old and starting the last group match and quarterfinal match. Now armed with a pair of major competitions under her belt as well as a trip to the UEFA Women s Champions League semifinals with Barcelona earlier this year, expect Putellas to make the Euros a very productive tournament for herself. Tournament History After declining an invitation to the 1984 version of the championship, Spain failed to qualify until the 1997 finals tournament, and reached the semifinals before bowing out in a 1-2 loss to Italy. La Roja didn t qualify for the next three tournaments, and bowed out of the quarterfinals in the 2013 tournament after a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Norway. Road to Euro 2017 Spain swept Group 2 qualifying with eight wins while scoring 39 goals and conceding none. 66 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Portugal UEFA EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 67
Roster GOALKEEPERS Jamila Marreiros (CF Befica) Patrícia Morais (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Ana Costa (SC Braga) DEFENDERS Mónica Mendes (FC Neunkirch) Raquel Infante (Levante UD Femenino) Silvia Rebelo (SC Braga) Matilde Fidalgo (CF Befica) Carole Costa (Sporting Clube de Portugal) MIDFIELDERS Cláudia Neto (c) (Linköpings FC) Laura Luis (FF USV Jena) Ana Leite (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Tatiana Pinto (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Fátima Pinto (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Dolores Silva (FF USV Jena) Amanda Da Costa (Boston Breakers) Jéssica Silva (Levante UD Femenino) Mélissa Antunes (SC Braga) FORWARDS Andreia Norton (SC Braga) Ana Borges (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Diana Silva (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Vanessa Marques (SC Braga) Carolina Mendes (UMF Grindavík) Suzane Pires (Santos FC) Current FIFA Ranking: 38 Group Stage Matches JULY 19 vs. Spain in Doetinchem JULY 23 vs. Scotland in Rotterdam JULY 27 vs. England in Tilburg COACH Francisco Neto 68 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Make or Break Game All It s a tall order for Portugal and realistically they will need to upset two of the three teams in the group to have a shot at advancing. The second match against Scotland may be the most likely place to pick up a point. Tournament History Portugal is making its first appearance in the finals tournament. Player to Watch Amanda DaCosta Many American fans will see a familiar face in the Portugal lineup as DaCosta has been featuring for the team since the beginning of Euro qualifiers. The former Florida State Seminole and U.S. youth international has won titles in England with Liverpool Ladies and came back to the United States to play in the National Women s Soccer League (Washington Spirit, Chicago Red Stars, and currently, the Boston Breakers). DaCosta s experience and leadership will be crucial for a team lacking in experience on the world stage. Road to Euro 2017 Portugal finished second in Group 2 of qualifying and went into a home-and-away playoff series against Romania, also a second-place finisher in its respective group (Group 3). After a scoreless draw in the first leg in Lisbon, Portugal advance on an away-goal winner by Andreia Norton in the 105th minute. EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 69
Referees Jana Adamkova (Czech Republic) Stéphanie Frappart (France) Riem Hussein (Germany) Bibiana Steinhaus (Germany) Katalin Kulscár (Hungary) Carina Vitulano (Italy) Monika Mularczyk (Poland) Anastasia Pustovoitova (Russia) Esther Staubli (Switzerland) Pernilla Larsson (Sweden) Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine) Assistant referees Sanja Rođak Karšić (Croatia) Angela Kyriakou (Cyprus) Lucie Ratajova (Czech Republic) Sian Massey (England) Manuela Nicolosi (France) Christina Biehl (Germany) Katrin Rafalski (Germany) Chrysoula Kourompylia (Greece) Judit Kulscár (Hungary) Michelle O Neill (Republic of Ireland) Lucia Abruzzese (Italy) Nicolet Bakker (Netherlands) Anna Dabrowska (Poland) Petruta Iugulescu (Romania) Mihaela Tepusa (Romania) Ekaterina Kurochkina (Russia) Svetlana Bilić (Serbia) Belinda Brem (Switzerland) Maria Sukenikova (Slovakia) Oleksandra Ardesheva (Ukraine) Maryna Striletska (Ukraine) Fourth officials Lina Lehtovaara (Finland) Lorraine Clark (Scotland) 70 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
Venues Euro 2017 will be held in seven stadiums throughout the Netherlands. Stadion Galgenwaard Utrecht Capacity: 23,750 Stadion De Adelaarshorst Deventer Capacity: 10,500 Sparta Stadion Rotterdam Capacity: 10,599 FC Twente Stadion Enschede Capacity: 30,000 Rat Verlegh Stadion Breda Capacity: 18,000 Willem II Stadion Tilburg Capacity: 14,500 Stadion De Vijverberg Doetinchem Capacity: 12,500 EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 71
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Vero Boquete has played in a few women s soccer leagues. With a lengthy resume that dates back to her professional beginnings in Spain, Boquete has charted not only the differences in leagues across the world in terms of their style of play but also in terms of the support they receive. Now playing with one of France s dominant teams, Paris Saint- Germain (PSG), Boquete has recently experienced the roar of a boisterous crowd in the club s recent Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Slated to face fellow French giants Olympique Lyon in the Champions League final, Boquete is expecting the attention and fanfare to increase. I think that it s growing, said Boquete. It s not that we always have the same amount of spectators that we had in Parc des Princes that day, but our fans knew that it was a big game, that it was Champions League. Obviously, every weekend is not the same. In the domestic league, there s less people in the stands, but I feel like people are starting to EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 73
get engaged with our game, with women s football. I m positive. I think in the next years, it will be more and more people. NEW DIRECTIONS That positivity is reflected in her views for her national team, and following this year s somewhat shocking Algarve Cup championship, one can understand Boquete s buoyed belief in her country s ability to compete. In the last months and the last years, Spanish football has been getting better and better, she said. People are surprised because we won, because it was our first time. But we were in better shape than the rest of our rivals. In the technique and tactic, I think that we are better than a lot of national teams, so now it s about finding balance. Part of that surprise came from the turbulent waters the Spanish women s national team faced after their underwhelming 2015 Women s World Cup debut. After 74 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM a disappointing campaign on the world s stage, people began to take notice of Ignacio Quereda s exceedingly long tenure at the helm of a particularly stagnant team. So did the national team players. Enter Jorge Vilda. Leading the team to the Algarve Cup championship was certainly a way to grab the international women s soccer community s attention. It didn t matter which coach came, we felt that the change would be positive either way, said Boquete. It was about confidence. The generations of new players that we are getting now because more girls are playing, that s what is taking us to the highest level. Before we were not professional, just a few players were really good, and now a lot of players from Spain are playing in other countries. Also
in Spain, we have some teams that have really professional conditions, and that makes the overall level high. When we go with the national team, we have to just come together, and play how we know because it s our Spanish style. With that attention may come pressure. Spain was puffed up as a possible Cinderella story back in 2015, and with the team riding high heading into this summer s Euros, that narrative could rear its ugly head. Of course, as any professional sport player is wont to say, Boquete and her team aren t focused on narrative. They re focused on living in the history they re writing for women s soccer in Spain. We are for sure in the best moment in history of women s football in Spain, said Boquete. Never before have we had players this talented. We ve also never had as many women s teams in Spain as we have now, and now we have women s referees. There are role models for the kids. I grew up, like all my teammates, without women s role models, and that is changing. Now it s also helping to change the mentality of the society. In Spain, we still have a macho mentality, and that was our biggest barrier. We are breaking up with that idea. More kids are going to play football, and more parents want their kids to play football, and we are growing together. The future of Spanish women s football can be much better than before. SCHOOL IS IN Boquete knows that it will take more than wins or medals with the national team to change that macho mentality that many Spaniards have yet to shake, it also takes a little off-the-field work. This led to Boquete creating EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 75
a network of soccer schools, a project that she started with friends almost a decade ago. We had this idea to build something together, especially in my hometown and in my region, because women s football was not supported, said Boquete. In my hometown, and now in all of my country, I have kind of a name or reputation. I have to use it to help girls be able to play football. At the same time, I want to help to change the mentality, and for that there is nothing better than a game, like football, to work together. Camps, clinics, and tournaments are available to those enrolled, ABOUT VERO Boquete is well-traveled and has played in Germany, Russia, and the United States. She started her career with Prainsa Zaragoza and then RCD Espanyol. In 2010, Boquete headed to the U.S. to play in the W-League and then the Chicago Red Stars in Women s Professional Soccer (WPS). In 2011, Boquete signed with the and Boquete just recently opened a technique school where kids come for two hours a week to work on a specific part of their technique. Perhaps the most unique part of the education Boquete offers at her schools is that all classes at her soccer schools are mixed, with boys and girls participating in various drills together. They have to understand that it s normal, said Boquete. I really believe in education. If you educate them in the same way, they will be exactly the same. It s just about education with the game, and just to share with them all the values that football gave to me. Philadelphia Independence of WPS, and was an integral part of the team that made it to the league final but lost in penalties to the Western New York Flash. Boquete was the league s Player of the Year. After the 2011 WPS season ended, Boquete headed to Russia to 76 WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM
EURO EXPECTATIONS Before that next generation can take the field for Spain, Boquete still has a bit of on the field work to take care of for her country. In a group with Portugal, England, and Scotland, this summer s Euros won t allow Spain to easily land atop the group, but they are perhaps more prepared than ever. We are not that far from the big national teams, and we have to believe in our style, our football, said Boquete. The team has a lot of confidence, but we know that a tournament like the Euros is going to be really hard. We are just ready to start, because you just want to play and you want to show to everyone that we are more respected than before. Our moment is this summer, and I think we will be prepared. (EDITOR S NOTE) play for Energiya Voronezh in the Champions League. Following the season, she transferred to Tyresö FF in the Damallsvnskan, where she won a league title. After Tyresö folded, Boquete returned to the U.S. in 2014 with the Portland Thorns FC in NWSL, scoring four goals in 15 appearances for the Thorns and adding six assists. Following the season, she headed to Germany, playing for 1. FFC Frankfurt and Bayern Munich. In 2016, Boquete signed a twoyear contract with PSG. In 21 appearances for the club, Boquete has seven goals. EURO 2017 ISSUE 35 77
EDITOR S NOTE: This interview was conducted before Spain s final roster for Euro 2017 was selected. Boquete was not selected by head coach Jorge Vilda for the competition. Boquete later released a statement via Twitter about the decision (https://twitter.com/veroboquete/status/877224619241082880), which is below: