THE BIG ONE NETHERLANDS SWEDEN VS

An opening humdinger at Bramall Lane, as the 2017 winners face an in- form Sweden. The Dutch hadn’t even contested a major final until seeing off Denmark five years ago, but followed their historic triumph with an appearance in the 2019 World Cup showpiece before going down 2- 0 against the USA. No side scored more goals than they did in qualifying ( 48, level with Spain and Denmark) – this game could set the tone for their defence.

KILLER FACT

But uh- oh... Sweden haven’t lost in 90 minutes since March 2020; their only defeat in that time came at the delayed 2020 Olympics, in the gold medal match against Canada on penalties. Their squad also contains the only active players from Euro 2005 at this finals – keeper Hedvig Lindahl ( 39) and captain Caroline Seger ( 37), who are still mainstays.

ONE TO WATCH NILS NIELSEN

Switzerland’s Greenland- born boss must be a huge fan of Steve Bruce. Previously the manager of China’s U20 women and his own Danish women’s team for four years prior to taking over the Swiss in 2018, the 50- year- old isn’t just a runner- up for The Best FIFA Women’s Coach award – losing out to Euros winner Sarina Wiegman in 2017 – he’s also a published fiction author. In 2013, Nielsen inked Ud af Skyggen

(‘ Out of the Shadows’) about a pair of aspiring footballers. Unlike Bruce, his appetite to write another is still present, apparently. We’re not sure if that’s good or not.

ANY AGGRO?

Er, just the matter of Russia being booted out. Portugal won’t mind – they benefited from the reprieve, having lost a narrow play- off last year. They’ve cracked the top 30 of FIFA’S rankings for the first time, having been as low as 47 in 2007. Denmark ’ 92, anyone? Maybe not...