Must-see matches of the tournament

Our women’s football reporter, Tom Garry, runs the rule over five intriguing clashes in the Women’s Euros group stage Germany v Denmark Group B

Friday, July 8, live on BBC Two Kick-off: 8pm, Brentford Community Stadium

Dubbed the “group of death” straight after the draw, Group B houses Spain, Germany and Denmark, who all have ambitions to go deep into the knockout stages. Finland, the lowest-ranked side in the group, are no pushovers, but the anticipated battle for the top two spots between bookmakers’ favourites Spain, eight-time champions Germany and 2017 runners-up Denmark will be fascinating. The first clash between two of that trio is a repeat of a quarter-final meeting from the last Euros when Denmark came from behind to stun Germany and end their 8,162-day reign as European champions. The Germans remain a powerful force, while the Danes’ dangerous forward line features captain Pernille Harder, who joined Chelsea in 2020 for a world-record transfer fee in excess of £250,000.

Netherlands v Sweden

Group C

Saturday, July 9, live on BBC One Kick-off: 8pm, Bramall Lane, Sheffield

Holders the Netherlands begin the defence of their title with a box-office clash against Sweden, the Olympic finalists. The Dutch, *

now coached by Englishman Mark Parsons, who replaced Sarina Wiegman when she left to take charge of England, appear to be a team in transition but their attacking threats are lethal when on form. Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema, the English Women’s Super League record goalscorer,

will spearhead their attack. Sweden, whom many pundits are tipping to lift the trophy at Wembley on July 31, have reached the semi-finals in all but two of their appearances in the Euros. When these sides met in the World Cup semi-final in 2019, Manchester United midfielder Jackie Groenen’s extra-time winner clinched a narrow 1-0 verdict for the Netherlands.

France v Italy

Group D

Sunday, July 10, live on BBC Two Kick-off: 8pm, New York Stadium, Rotherham

The two most talented sides in Group D also meet in their opening match. France, whose best club side, Lyon, have dominated the Women’s Champions League for the past decade with a record eight titles, are perennial quarter-finalists and will be desperate to advance to at least a semi-final or further. They have immense potential with top players all over the pitch but face a fascinating tussle in their group with an ever-improving Italy side, whose own domestic game is steadily on the rise, with the Serie A set to turn fully professional next term. Milena Bertolini’s technically-gifted Italian team awoke something of a sleeping giant with their run to the World Cup quarter-finals three years ago. The Italians reached the semi-finals of the first four Women’s Euros and were runners-up in 1993 and 1997, but have not climbed to such heights since.