Knockout Round: Game previews

The opening round is done, and with eight teams headed home — including near misses, like Thailand and Costa Rica, and surprises such as Spain — the Women’s World Cup enters its knockout phase.

There were some shockers: world No. 53 Cameroon, competing in its first World Cup, secured second in Group C, while No. 5 Sweden remains a sleeper, finishing third in Group D.

A look at the knockout round, with world rankings and group placing in parentheses (all times ET):

GERMANY (1) (1B) VS. SWEDEN (5) (3D)

Saturday, 4 p.m., Ottawa Ranked No. 5 in the world, Sweden, coming out of the Group of Death after the U.S. and Australia, is the third-place team nobody wanted to face. But facing tourney favourites Germany after managing only three ties, it would take a huge performance from the Swedes to move on.

Winner: Germany

CHINA (16) (2A) VS. CAMEROON (53) (2C)

Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Edmonton Underdogs Cameroon shocked everyone with two wins and a narrow loss to Japan in group play. Their man-to-man style will be unusual to the Chinese, but the second-place finishers in Group A have come on stronger in their most recent games.

Winner: China

FRANCE (3) (1F) VS. SOUTH KOREA (18) (2E)

Sunday, 4 p.m., Montreal France had its ups and downs — a 1-0 victory over England, a stunning loss to Colombia, putting five goals past Mexico — but Les Bleues. It’s the French’s match to lose.

Winner: France

BRAZIL (7) (1E) VS. AUSTRALIA (10) (2D)

Sunday, 3 p.m., Moncton No. 10 Australia did well to beat fifth-ranked Sweden for second place in Group D, avoiding Germany. The game against Brazil will be much easier, and the Aussies will be match fit, having already played against two top-five teams.

Winner: Brazil

CANADA (8) (1A) VS. SWITZERLAND (19) (3C)

Sunday, 7:30 p.m., Vancouver The Swiss will surely have momentum going into the match against the hosts after earning their way to the knockout round in their first World Cup. But Canada has history on its side: the Canucks have not lost to Switzerland in four meetings.

Winner: Canada

NORWAY (11) (2B) VS. ENGLAND (6) (2F)

Monday, 5 p.m., Ottawa It would be understandable if the Norwegian side were brimming with confidence after earning seven points, including a tie against world leaders Germany, in the group stages. England, back in form after losing to France in its opening match, might not be quite there.

Winner: Norway, in an upset

U.S. (2) (1D) VS. COLOMBIA (28) (3F)

Monday, 8 p.m., Edmonton Colombia defeated France and only narrowly lost to England on its way to moving on to the round of 16 in only its second World Cup appearance. But a win against the U.S., who topped this tournament’s Group of Death, would be upset of the month.

Winner: U.S.

JAPAN (4) (1C) VS. NETHERLANDS (12) (3A)

Tuesday, 10 p.m., Vancouver The Japanese, the first team to qualify for the round of 16, weren’t overly impressive considering they’re the defending champios. But expect the tourney veterans to elevate their game.

Winner: Japan Laura Armstrong