THE BIG ONE

GERMANY VS DENMARK

It was all going so well for Germany until Denmark ruined everything. In 2017, the ludicrously dominant Nationalelf were gunning for their seventh straight Euros crown, only to be knocked out for the first time since 1993 after a superb Danish comeback in the second half of their quarter- final. They’ll meet again in Brentford for the opener. Woof!

KILLER FACT

Thirteen years is a long time to wait – but for Finland’s Linda Sallstrom, it should be worth it. In 2009, the Pearl Owls made the final eight as hosts before England broke their hearts, even with her consolation goal making things hairy for the last 10 minutes. But after missing 2013 amid the first of three ACL injuries, and a botched qualification bid in 2017, Sallstrom will finally be back aged 33. Fittingly, it was Finland’s record goalscorer who sealed their fate this summer, bagging a late winner against Portugal in Helsinki.

ONE TO WATCH AITANA BONMATI

All eyes will be on Putellas, but that can only be helpful for 24- year- old Barça midfielder Bonmati, who has grown with her brilliant club team. In 2019, she started their first ever Champions League final as the Catalans were humbled 4- 1 by Lyon. In 2021, though, she scored their third goal and shone as they tore Chelsea apart 4- 0. Bonmati may be titchy, but the 5ft 4in La Masia graduate is a class act.

ANY AGGRO?

Dzsenifer Marozsan may be cursed. For years, Lyon’s German star was considered the best in Europe, but then a pulmonary embolism in 2018 threatened her life, let alone career. It followed a litany of sorry episodes: a knee injury for 2011’ s World Cup; the ankle knack which limited her to one appearance in 2015; a broken toe she suffered in the 2019 opener against China. Now Marozsan will sit out this tournament too, after rupturing an ACL in May. What’s the opposite of schadenfreude?