Denmark and Spain will fight for the right to compete against hosts England in the quarter-finals of Euro 2022 on Saturday.
Group B rivals meet at the Brentford Community Stadium, with the Spaniards needing a draw to secure second place Germanywho already know they will meet Austria in the last eight, while the Danes need to win to progress.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look ahead as the tournament nears the knockout stages.
the final Countdown
Spain manager Jorge Vilda has ordered his players to leave nothing to chance when trying to book a showdown with England.
A point against Denmark will be enough to ensure they finish second in Group B, but Vilda is aware of the dangers of playing for a draw in what he describes as a ‘final’.
He said at his pre-match press conference: “If you draw or speculate with the result, it can end badly. Tomorrow is a final that we want to win. It is the only goal.”
D-Day for the Danes
Denmark must beat Spain to make the last eight (Tim Goode/PA)
(PA wire)
Denmark coach Lars Sondergaard has urged his side not to settle for what they have already achieved as they prepare for the crucial clash with Spain.
The fact that the Danes are still strong at the end of the group stage is an achievement in itself, but Sondergaard isn’t quite ready for the adventure to end.
At his press conference he said: “We are very happy that we have come this far and that we can play a decider in the last group game. But of course we want to go one step further.”
Grandstand Finnish
Finland coach Anna Signeul is determined to go out with a bang (Tim Goode/PA)
(PA wire)
Only pride will be at stake when Group B winners Germany meet pointless Finland at the Stadion MK.
That German meets the Austrians for a semi-final spot on Thursday after victories over Denmark and Spain in their opening two games but will be in no mood to relax as they try to keep the momentum going.
In contrast, the Finns will be heading home regardless of the results, desperate to sign off with something tangible for their efforts.
Coach Anna Signeul said: “We want to end with something great here in Milton Keynes.”
A-OK for England and Austria
England maintained their 100 per cent record at the top of Group A with a 5-0 win over Northern Ireland on Friday night despite head coach Sarina Wiegman’s absence after a positive Covid-19 test.
The game was scoreless until four minutes before the break but within eight minutes of the restart it was 4-0 thanks to goals from Fran Kirby and Beth Mead and a brace from substitute Alessia Russo before defender Kelsie Borrows unwittingly went into the 14th minute own net remained.
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels said afterwards: “It would be a massive failure if England didn’t win this tournament. Everyone else should just go home.”
Austria will be in the last eight after a deserved 1-0 win over two-time winners Norway thanks to a first-half header from Nicole Billa at the AMEX stadium.
Statistics of the day
image of the day
England’s players sing the national anthem ahead of their 5-0 Euro 2022 win over Northern Ireland (John Walton/PA)
(PA wire)
post of the day
quote of the Day
I’ve told players this is Game of the Year – but hopefully there will be another Game of the Year in a few days
Denmark coach Lars Sondergaard
Next
16th of July
Group B: Finland v Germany (8pm, Stadion MK)
Group B: Denmark v Spain (8pm, Brentford Community Stadium)
