Latest news with #ElisabettaOliviero
Gulf Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Italy join Spain in Women's Euro quarter-finals, Belgium edge past Portugal
Italy reached the quarter-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on Friday despite losing 3-1 to Group B winners Spain, the Azzurre finishing ahead of rivals Portugal whose tournament ended with a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Belgium. Athenea, Patri Guijarro and Esther Gonzalez scored the goals in Bern for Spain who finished the group stage on a perfect nine points, five ahead of second-placed Italy who will face Norway in the last eight on Wednesday. 'We had one key objective and that was to get through,' said Andrea Soncin who has taken Italy to the last eight of the women's Euros for the first time since 2013. 'We can still develop and there is a gap between us and Spain, but you saw that with good organisation we can compete. Spain players celebrate. AP 'Obviously they have really great players who regardless of how organised you are can mess everything up for you, but we're very happy to have qualified.' Spain meanwhile will take on hosts Switzerland in a week's time as they aim to follow up their World Cup win with a first-ever Euros triumph. Montse Tome's team scored 14 times in three group matches, just four fewer goals they scored in Australia and New Zealand two years ago. 'We will make the most of the time, adapt so that the players have time to rest physically and mentally, and also have some fun,' said Tome. 'I hope we manage to keep doing what we are doing because we won three games from three, and it's the first time Spain have done this.' Italy, who took the lead through Elisabetta Oliviero in the 10th minute, ended the group stage one point ahead of third-placed Belgium who snatched a last-gasp win in Sion through Janice Cayman. Italy's defender #02 Elisabetta Oliviero celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the match between Italy and Spain at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, on Friday. AFP Belgium were already eliminated before kick-off and only Portugal had a chance of overtaking Italy heading into the final round of Group B fixtures. But Soncin's Italy started the game knowing that a defeat would have likely been enough for a spot in the quarters even if Portugal beat Belgium due to the significant goal difference gap between the two teams. Three points separated Italy and Portugal at kick-off and Italian fans were able to relax when Tessa Wullaert stuck out her left leg to guide home Jill Janssens' low cross and put Belgium ahead in the third minute. Shortly afterwards Elena Linari thumped a header against the crossbar from Manuela Giugliano's corner, and then Oliviero gave Italy a shock lead by pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area after some poor defending from Spain. Portugal's forward #23 Telma Encarnacao celebrates after scoring a goal during the match between Portugal and Belgium at the Stade de Tourbillon in Sion on Friday. AFP But Spain soon began to assert their dominance and four minutes later Athenea brought them level with a wonderful goal, dribbling towards the edge of the area before exchanging passes with Alexia Putellas and curling home a superb finish. The Spanish continued to have the lion's share of possession but Italy were dangerous on the break, with Martina Piemonte, up front in place of Cristiana Girelli, shanked wide when clean through on goal. And Barbara Bonansea headed over Sofia Cantore's cross two minutes before the break as Italy pushed ot retake the lead. But Spain were deservedly in front three minutes after the break through Patri whose sliced first-time finish crept past Italy goalkeeper Laura Giulinani. Spain poured forward and added a third in stoppage time through Esther Gonzalez. But it mattered little by that point as even though Telma Encarnacao levelled late for Portugal, Cayman lashed home a loose ball in the 96th minute to give Belgium a thrilling win after they had two goals chalked off by VAR. Italy's players jumped and hugged once Belgium's success was confirmed, before basking in the applause of their travelling support. Agence France-Presse
Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
We won't fear group leaders Spain, says Italy defender Elisabetta Oliviero
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Italy's Elisabetta Oliviero has said that her side will not fear Spain in their Euro 2025 clash on Friday. – Italy go into their clash against Spain at Women's Euro 2025 on July 11 with no fear of the Group B leaders, defender Elisabetta Oliviero said, despite her side needing at least a draw to ensure they progress alongside the Spaniards. The Italians looked set to join Spain in the last eight, but they conceded a late equaliser in their previous game which gave Portugal a 1-1 draw and leaves Italy with some work to do. They will be sure of reaching the quarter-finals if they avoid defeat by Spain, or if Portugal do not beat Belgium. 'It's not a joke – I'm telling you, we don't have any (fear) because it's not a matter of fear,' Oliviero said. 'Tomorrow we play our game with a lot of respect, but I repeat, we will play for (against) Spain like any other nation we will meet, or any other situation. 'Spain has weak points like everyone, and we will definitely study them. Football is a special sport, and that's the beauty of it. We will see many things on the pitch.' Spain's embarrassment of attacking riches has seen them score a staggering 11 goals in two games so far, thrashing Portugal 5-0 in their opener, and following that with a 6-2 drubbing of Belgium, to book their place in the last eight. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World US slaps 30% tariffs on EU and Mexico; EU warns of countermeasures Singapore S'pore shows what's possible when digital innovation is matched with purpose: UK foreign secretary Singapore Casual racism should be tackled by getting more people to understand it is not acceptable: David Neo Asia Fuel was cut off during take-off: Preliminary report on Air India crash Singapore Pulling back the curtain: A backstage look at the 2025 NDP show segment Singapore $3 cashback for hawker centre meals and shopping at heartland stores with DBS PayLah initiative Singapore Body of 62-year-old man recovered from waters off East Coast Park Asia Aerobridge hits Qantas plane at Sydney Airport, damaging engine, delaying flight Spain's Alexia Putellas and Esther Gonzalez have both scored three times so far in the tournament and the goalkeeper tasked with stopping them in training is not surprised at their form. 'When they score those goals in matches, I'm not surprised because they do exactly the same thing in training,' Spain's Adriana Nanclares told reporters on July 9. 'In the end, it's a luxury to have them. 'It speaks a lot about the individual ambition of each of them.' The two sides meet at Bern's Wankdorf Stadium on July 11. Meanwhile, Lauren James made sure England avoided a major scare with a brace in the 4-0 thumping of the Netherlands in Zurich on July 9 which kick-started the Lionesses' title defence. Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone scored the other goals as England swept the Dutch aside and moved second in Group D, level on points with the Dutch, and three points behind leaders France who thrashed Wales 4-1 in St Gallen. 'I enjoyed it a lot. The goals say it all,' James said to the BBC. 'We bounced back from our previous game (2-1 loss to France) and today we showed we're more than capable of showing the world what we can do. 'I just try to do my best each game.' REUTERS, AFP
Observer
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Spain beat Italy 3-1 as both qualify for quarters
BERN, Switzerland: Spain cruised to a 3-1 win over Italy on Friday that sees both sides through to the knockout stages at the Women's Euros, with the Spaniards topping Group B to set up a showdown with hosts Switzerland, while the second-placed Italians will meet Group A winners Norway. Spain finished top of the group with a perfect nine points from their three games, with the Italians second on four points, one ahead of already-eliminated Belgium, who beat Portugal 2-1 to snuff out their chances of advancing. The swashbuckling football of the Spaniards has singled them out as the team to beat in Switzerland but once more they got off to a sluggish start before saving the day with some outstanding attacking play. The Italians almost took the lead in the 10th minute when captain Elena Linari smacked a powerful header off the crossbar and seconds later they did score through Elisabetta Oliviero. Italy worked the ball in from the left flank and Martina Piemonte found enough space to squeeze off a shot that Spain's Mariona Caldente tried to control, but she only succeeded in teeing up Oliviero to slam home the ball. That jolted Spain into life and they levelled four minutes later as the reigning world and Nations League champions began to dominate possession, Athenea del Castillo working the ball in from the right before playing a brilliant one-two in a tight space with Alexia Putellas and firing into the net. Patri Guijarro put Spain 2-1 up in the fourth minute of the second half and the Italians struggled to get out of their half for much of the rest of the game, with Esther Gonzalez sealing the deal for Spain with a stoppage-time goal to make it 3-1. Guijarro declared herself pleased with the business-like way Spain had secured the group win, even if there were things that could be improved. "I'm happy for the three victories. The match was difficult (but) we are first in the group and now let's go for the quarter-finals," she said. "They played very well. Those balls that we lost, there was a lot of space, so we have to run back as quickly as possible, we have to be more on top of the pressure after losing (the ball)." Spain will take on Switzerland in Bern next Friday, while Italy meet Norway in Geneva on Wednesday. — Reuters
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Women's EURO 2025: Unbeaten Spain overcomes Italy; Belgium beats Portugal
Tournament favorite Spain came from behind to beat Italy 3-1 and sweep through Group B at the Women's European Championship on Friday. Italy lost but also advanced to the quarterfinals. Italy took a 10th-minute lead against the 2023 World Cup champion on defender Elisabetta Oliviero's shot, soon after captain Elena Linari struck the crossbar with a header. Spain leveled within four minutes, led from the 49th, and added Esther González's tournament-leading fourth goal in stoppage time. Still, Spain had enough problems in defense handling the Italians, who had 13 attempts on goal, to give host Switzerland some hope for its quarterfinal in one week. Norway awaits Italy in the first quarterfinal on Wednesday in Geneva, and it will be Spain-Switzerland two days later in Bern. Belgium beats Portugal for its first win at EURO 2025 Belgium's Janice Cayman celebrates scoring their second goal with Mariam Toloba. | Photo Credit: REUTERS/Stephane Mahe Janice Cayman scored in stoppage time for Belgium to beat Portugal 2-1 and a first win in its final game at the Women's European Championship on Friday. Amber Tysiak thought she already scored Belgium's winner in stoppage time but that goal was struck out for an offside call, the second Belgium goal ruled out after a VAR check. Portugal needed a win to have any hope of making the knockout stage but got off to a bad start when Belgium captain Tessa Wullaert slid in to meet Jill Janssens' cross for the third-minute opener. More bad news came from Bern where Italy took a shock lead against tournament favorite Spain. Portugal was hoping for a heavy Italian defeat to enable its progress to the quarterfinals on goal difference — as long as it also won. Telma Encarnação got Portugal's only goal late and couldn't prevent her team's elimination.
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Spain beat Italy 3-1 as both go through to Women's Euros quarter-finals
BERN, Switzerland: Spain cruised to a 3-1 win over Italy on Friday that sees both sides through to the knockout stages at the Women's Euros, with the Spaniards topping Group B to set up a showdown with hosts Switzerland, while the second-placed Italians will meet Group A winners Norway. Spain finished top of the group with a perfect nine points from their three games, with the Italians second on four points, one ahead of already-eliminated Belgium, who beat Portugal 2-1 to snuff out their chances of advancing. The swashbuckling football of the Spaniards has singled them out as the team to beat in Switzerland but once more they got off to a sluggish start before saving the day with some outstanding attacking play. The Italians almost took the lead in the 10th minute when captain Elena Linari smacked a powerful header off the crossbar and seconds later they did score through Elisabetta Oliviero. Italy worked the ball in from the left flank and Martina Piemonte found enough space to squeeze off a shot that Spain's Mariona Caldente tried to control, but she only succeeded in teeing up Oliviero to slam home the ball. That jolted Spain into life and they levelled four minutes later as the reigning world and Nations League champions began to dominate possession, Athenea del Castillo working the ball in from the right before playing a brilliant one-two in a tight space with Alexia Putellas and firing into the net. Patri Guijarro put Spain 2-1 up in the fourth minute of the second half and the Italians struggled to get out of their half for much of the rest of the game, with Esther Gonzalez sealing the deal for Spain with a stoppage-time goal to make it 3-1. Guijarro declared herself pleased with the business-like way Spain had secured the group win, even if there were things that could be improved. "I'm happy for the three victories. The match was difficult (but) we are first in the group and now let's go for the quarter-finals," she said. "They played very well. Those balls that we lost, there was a lot of space, so we have to run back as quickly as possible, we have to be more on top of the pressure after losing (the ball)."
