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BBC News
15 minutes ago
- BBC News
England to bounce back? Brown-Finnis' Euro 2025 predictions
Holders England and tournament first-timers Wales both lost their opening games of Euro 2025, but will they bounce back next time out in Group D?BBC Sport football expert Rachel Brown-Finnis is predicting the outcome of all 31 games in got five of the opening eight group matches correct, including the Netherlands' victory over Wales, but was caught out by the Lionesses' defeat by did not see that result coming either, with only 16% of you backing Les Bleues. Like Rachel, you ended up with a score of 5/8 overall, and were also wrong about Finland beating Iceland and Italy getting the better of you and Rachel do better next time? You can make your own predictions for the second set of group games below, including England versus the Netherlands, and France against has also picked her two teams to go through from each group into the knockout stage, and given her reasons is backing England to win the Euros again, and believes Wales won't get out of their Brown-Finnis was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan. Group A Brown-Finnis' pre-tournament picks: Norway (winners) and Switzerland (runners-up). 6 July, 17:00 BSTStade de Tourbillon, SionWorld ranking: 16th v 26thBest Euros finish: Norway: winners in 1987 & 1993. Finland: semi-finals in 2005Norway made such a slow start against Switzerland in their opening game but they were unrecognisable in and out of possession in the second looked like a different team after the break as they fought back from a goal down to beat the hosts, and I feel like they will build on that performance now they know the levels they need to showed in their win over Iceland that they are well organised at the back and how tough they are to break down, but I still think Norway will find a way prediction: 1-0 6 July, 20:00 BSTStadion Wankdorf, BernWorld ranking: 23rd v 14thBest Euros finish: Switzerland: groups in 2017 & 2022. Iceland: quarter-finals in feels like the tournament has only just got started but this is a huge match for both teams. If the earlier game in Group A finishes in a draw, then whoever loses here is are the higher-ranked team and they will definitely believe they can get the result they need - but they were held to two draws when they played each other in this year's Nations defeat by Norway was a disappointing result for the hosts but I thought they were fantastic in the first half and I don't think they let their lead slip because of a lack of application or a dip in their swing in that game was more down to Norway changing their tactics and the Swiss failing to adapt. Even then, they were a bit unfortunate not to get anything from the Switzerland can play with the same intensity here then, with the crowd behind them, I think they will have enough quality to get their tournament back on prediction: 2-1 Group B Brown-Finnis' pre-tournament picks: Spain (winners) and Portugal (runners-up). 7 July, 17:00 BSTArena Thun, ThunWorld ranking: 2nd v 20thBest Euros finish: Spain: semi-finals in 1997. Belgium: quarter-finals in were hugely impressive in their 5-0 victory over Portugal. It's already clear how much better they are this time than they were at the 2022 European Championship, when England beat them in the quarter-finals, and they are only just getting started at this of teams have seen changes in personnel since that tournament, and the 2023 World Cup, but none of them have improved to the extent that Spain saw against Portugal what happens when a team does not adapt at all to the dominant way Spain play - you have to acknowledge you are not going to see much of the ball, sit off them and play on the counter, but Portugal did not really do that and paid the price.I am not expecting Belgium to make the same mistake, but it is still hard to see them getting anything out of this game. Losing to Italy was a big blow to their hopes of getting out of the group, and this is clearly a much harder have played Spain four times in the past few months, in the Nations League and in qualifying for these Euros, and lost every time.A couple of those defeats were heavy ones, but Belgium did cause them a few problems at times too.I am not sure how close they will get to the world champions this time, but at least they know what to prediction: 2-0 7 July, 20:00 BSTStade de Geneve, GenevaWorld ranking: 22nd v 13thBest Euros finish: Portugal: groups in 2017 & 2022. Italy: runner-up in 1993 & 1997Portugal were quite naive against Spain. They have got some quality, but not enough to take risks against the world champions and get a game is going to be much closer, and I am expecting a reaction from Portugal after seeing the way they have grown over the past couple of tournaments. They know they have to perform here, or they will be going home may have a bit of a swagger about them after beating Belgium in their first game but they can be quite open themselves at times and I'd be surprised if they find this prediction: 2-1 Group C Brown-Finnis' pre-tournament picks: Germany (winners) and Sweden (runners-up). 8 July, 17:00 BSTSt Jakob-Park, BaselWorld ranking: 3rd v 12thBest Euros finish: Germany: Eight-time winners between 1989 & 2013. Denmark: runners-up in got off to a good start with their win over Poland but losing captain Giulia Gwinn to injury was a big blow, and she will not play again at these Euros.I still think they have the squad depth to see off Denmark, and they already look composed and like they have found some rhythm, but this won't be Danes badly need to get something out of this game, and Pernille Harder will be desperate to kickstart her tournament after hitting the bar in their defeat against prediction: 2-0 8 July, 20:00 BSTAllmend Stadion Luzern, LucerneWorld ranking: 27th v 6thBest Euros finish: Poland: first-time qualifiers. Sweden: winners in 1984Poland put in a spirited performance against Germany, but still lost on their debut at a major hard to see them getting anything here, either. Sweden's win over Denmark was massive for their hopes of getting out of the group and I am expecting them to get another victory here Wales, Poland are finding out that the level of tournament football at a European Championship really is the best of the you look at the world ranking of the teams here, then Europe is the strongest continent, which is why it's so hard to get out of your group - let alone go all the way and win teams who are at their first major finals, it is a case of looking upwards - not just in terms of everyone else's world rankings, but with factors like experience and confidence have got lots of know-how at major finals and that should help them get the win they want before they face Germany in their final group prediction: 0-1 Group D Brown-Finnis' pre-tournament picks: England (winners) and France (runners-up). 9 July, 17:00 BSTStadion Letzigrund, ZurichWorld ranking: 5th v 11thBest Euros finish: England: winners in 2022. The Netherlands: winners in started well against France but after having a goal ruled out for offside they were just not good enough in the first half. The Lionesses improved and dominated possession after the break but still didn't manage any shots on target until the closing defeat means this is a must-win game for them but, if they are going to beat the Netherlands, they will have to be much better at the many simple passes went astray on Saturday night, and we didn't see the kind of sharp and polished England performance that we have become used know England can be better, and I do think they will be much improved against the Dutch, but they will have to be careful because Vivianne Miedema looked like she is back to her best with her brilliant goal that broke the deadlock against was a reminder of her class, and also how she is not a player who needs loads of chances, but makes her opportunities count - which is why she has scored 100 goals and counting for her country. Miedema can sometimes look disinterested, or seem uninvolved, but that's just how she plays - it means she is sometimes underestimated, when she is always dangerous.I still believe England will rise to the challenge, however, even if manager Sarina Wiegman may have to review the tactics she used against France - they looked much more threatening when Michelle Agyemang came on late on, compared to when Alessia Russo was up top on her it comes down to games like this, where they have to get the three points, I would always back England and Wiegman to find a way of prediction: 2-1 9 July, 20:00 BSTArena St Gallen, St GallenWorld ranking: 10th v 30thBest Euros finish: France: semi-finals in 2022. Wales: first-time were worthy winners against England. They got a bit of momentum in the first half, and took will know what to expect after watching that game, because Les Bleues looked pumped, and never gave England any easy possession of the ball at all, but stopping France is a huge ask - they looked fresh and fiery and their intensity and work-rate was simply had a way of playing against the Dutch that worked for a while - they defended in numbers, worked hard and pressed hard, and tried to attack on the break when they won the ball back - but they couldn't sustain found out the hard way what happens when you give players like Miedema too much space and time on the edge of your area, and if they drop off against France, then their quality will shine through prediction: 3-0
Reuters
28 minutes ago
- Reuters
Usually stoic Miedema emotional after goalscoring milestone
LUCERNE, Switzerland, July 6 (Reuters) - Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema rarely betrays much emotion, but her 100th goal for her country, scored in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Wales at the Women's European Championship, produced plenty of happy tears. The Dutch were comfortable winners over the debutants in their opening Group D game at Lucerne, with Miedema curling in a shot from outside the area which sailed into the far top corner, a goal worthy of the captain's milestone in her 126th international appearance, to give her side the lead and bring up a ton of goals for her country. "It's very special, this is something you don't dare dream of as a little girl," she reflected after the achievement. "It was very unreal when the milestone was getting closer, and it is extra special that it is achieved at the European Championship," she added. For the forward, it also came after a long spell out with injury, prompting her reaction. "There were definitely emotions released. Tears? Yes, when we walked on the pitch, at the goal, and after the game. That shows how much this affects me. "I think we all know how tough the past two and a half years have been for me and how hard I've worked to get here." Miedema tore her cruciate ligament at the end of 2022 and was sidelined for 10 months. Shortly after her comeback, cartilage in her knee was damaged again, and she underwent another surgery last November. On her return, she injured her knee again in April and there was a threat she might miss out on the Women's Euros. She only believed she was really going to play on the morning before the match. "I said it out loud for the first time. I don't often get nervous, but now I do. I thought: 'wow, I did it'," she said of her recovery. For Dutch coach Andries Jonker, Miedema's successful return was as good as the three points garnered from their first match at the tournament in Switzerland. "I've been asked who the best player I've worked with is? Well, Lieke Martens and Miedema are exceptional. The others are great, but those two are a step further and better." The 28-year-old Miedema is only the 10th woman to score a ton of international goals, and her coach made a comparison with Dutch great Marco van Basten. "She just sees where the goalkeeper is. I don't think many people see that, but she does. Marco van Basten also did things that made you think you could stop him. But then he takes a swing, and the ball ends up in the top corner. "Great players who don't do the logical thing but do the creative thing. Food for the enthusiast, and I am an enthusiast," said the coach.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
'Significant signing' or 'very underwhelming'?
We asked for your views on the signing of midfielder Thelo Aasgaard after he completed a deal to join Rangers from Luton what some of you had to say:Hector: Yet another signing from a team relegated to the lower divisions in England. This is patronising to the Scottish Premiership and the club's fanbase, and is obviously sub-standard for European competition at any Great bit of business - stood out a mile when I have watched him play. Still young and only going to get better and I think he has a big future in the Brilliant signing, looking forward to seeing him score lots of Super excited about this signing! He is so creative and has goals in his locker also. Scored on his international debut earlier this year for his country, and I can see him being a permanent fixture from now on. Only going to get better and better, mark my words!David: Very underwhelming signing, much the same feelings as when new manager was unveiled. Please overachieve, we need players who can walk into this This is another significant signing and the indications are there's more to come. I sense Russell Martin is building a team for an eventful and hopefully successful season - Aasgaard is a real talent and we should be getting excited at seeing how quickly these new players gel to create a winning team. My only concern is the goalkeeper situation - a weak link in all this activity.
