Latest news with #MarieAntoinetteKatoto
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Sky Bet make France 11/10 favourites to win heavyweight women's European Championship clash against Germany
France are favourites to win their women's European Championship quarter-final against Germany on Saturday night. Les Blues head into the clash at St. Jakob-Park boasting a perfect record, having made light work of a group that included England, the Netherlands and Wales. France, who are looking to win the tournament for the first time, have been made 11/10 favourites by Sky Bet, while Germany have been priced at 15/8. Germany are the most successful side in women's Euros history with eight titles and the 2025 squad have ambitions of adding to their total. Christian Wuck's side won their first two matches at the tournament before suffering a bruising 4-1 defeat by Sweden. In addition to the match result, Sky Bet are offering a number of Price Boosts for the occasion. These include France star Sandy Baltimore to have 1+ assist, 5+ shots on target each team and Marie-Antoinette Katoto to have 3+ shots on target. Katoto has found the net twice in Switzerland and provided one assist. These odds have been boosted to 10/3, 4/1 and 8/1 respectively. Sky Bet odds for France vs Germany: France - 11/10 Germany - 11/5 Draw - 5/2 Sky Bet odds for France vs Germany Price Boosts: Baltimore 1+ assists Was 11/4 NOW 10/3 5+ shots on target each team WAS 10/3 NOW 4/1 Katoto 3+ shots on target WAS 7/1 NOW 8/1
The Guardian
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Euro 2025 power rankings: Spain reign but France and England impress too
Spain were favourites coming into the Euros and, based on their form in Group B, they still are. They matched England's Euro 2022 record of 14 goals in the group stage. Alexia Putellas is continuing her charge for the Ballon d'Or with three goals and four assists and has lit up their midfield while the 18-year-old Vicky López has impressed in her first major tournament. While in sensational form going forward, their defence does leave opportunities for their opposition. They will be favourites to win the quarter-final against hosts Switzerland but it will be a mouth-watering occasion in Bern. Sweden were undeniably impressive in the group stage. While Denmark caused them a few issues in their opening win, Peter Gerhardsson's side truly got their title challenge up and running with a comprehensive victory over Poland and a demolition of Germany. That marked their first Euros win over the Germans in six attempts. Spreading goals around the team is a bonus but the defence remains their weakness, particularly when against pace. Nevertheless, they go into the quarter-finals unbeaten in 15 matches and full of confidence. France caught the eye by outplaying England in their Group D opener and they look like a team on an unbeaten run. The manner of their comeback against the Netherlands will only have helped their confidence. The strength of their wide play is second to none with Sandy Baltimore and Delphine Cascarino in good form. Their No 9 Marie-Antoinette Katoto has also opened her account for the tournament, putting to bed the ghosts of Euro 2022 where she suffered an ACL injury. As with many sides in this tournament, they have defensive frailties that can be exploited as all three opponents in the group showed. England started the tournament slowly with defeat by France but have started to click into gear. For Sarina Wiegman's side it was more the manner of that opening performance that was disappointing, but they have since put things right. A couple of tweaks to their game plan and they scored a combined 10 goals against the Netherlands and Wales. Lauren James is showing exactly what she is about on this major stage while Ella Toone is playing some of the best football of her career. The Lionesses still look frail defensively, especially when faced with a strong transitional side. Progressing with three wins from three looks impressive but when you delve into Norway's performances things look a little less rosy. Gemma Grainger's side were expected to top Group A but they have struggled for cohesion. Switzerland and Finland both gave them a scare but the experience and quality of Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen came through. With Italy up next, they will feel they have a chance to progress deep into the competition. The manner of their 4-1 drubbing by Sweden will have left a sour taste before the quarter-finals. Two wins from two before that meeting in Zurich got the job done for Christian Wück's side but they have not looked convincing, particularly defensively. The loss of captain Giulia Gwinn to a medial ligament knee injury in their opening victory against Poland was a blow and they will now have to do without her back-up Carlotta Wamser for the next match after her brilliant impression of a goalkeeper earned her a straight red card. Football fever has swept through Switzerland as Pia Sundhage's team progressed to the European Championship knockouts for the first time. The hosts' prospects looked uncertain given their indifferent form, but they have impressed, their youthful side embracing the opportunities of a major tournament. Captain and centurion Lia Wälti continues to lead by example while Géraldine Reuteler has stood out with three Player of the Match winning performances. A dramatic injury-time equaliser from Riola Xhemaili against Finland to send them through only added to the fairytale. Andrea Soncin's side were many people's dark horses coming into the tournament, and without setting the world alight, they have impressed in reaching the knockouts for the first time since 2013. An edgy win over Belgium after a wonder goal by Arianna Caruso got their campaign up and running but was followed by a disappointing draw with Portugal, marked by wastefulness in front of goal. But they put in a strong showing in defeat by Spain, particularly in the first half, to show they can grow into the competition. A quarter-final encounter with Norway is a huge opportunity. One of the surprise packages, Finland gained admiration for their inspired performances despite their elimination. An opening win over Iceland marked their first at a Euros in 16 years and represented a good achievement for Marko Saloranta and his side. Their performance against Norway caught the eye despite defeat as they put Gemma Grainger's team under significant pressure. The manner of the draw against Switzerland was heartbreaking – an injury-time equaliser from the hosts knocked Helmarit out – but this developing squad will take so much from the experience. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion A campaign that started brightly soon descended into chaos. Their opening day win and the celebrations around Vivianne Miedema's 100th goal seem like a distant memory after two dispiriting defeats by England and France. Group D was always going to be a challenge but to concede nine in two matches is a serious concern. There is disruption behind the scenes with Andries Jonker's departure imminent – and there was a press room spat between him and a Dutch journalist. Then Daniëlle van de Donk initially said she had been fit after not starting against England, before backtracking, while the captain Miedema did not get on the pitch in their final match. Belgium's performances did not reveal anything that was not already known about Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir's side – strength in transition and dangerous in attack but leaky in defence and lacking structure. That counterattacking strength proved fruitful at times and they exploited Spain admirably before being dismantled at the other end of the field. A final-day victory over Portugal to avoid finishing last in Group C added a gloss and the 25-year-old forward, Mariam Toloba, was a stand-out performer throughout. Poland's first major tournament will have given the coach, Nina Patalon, and her team plenty of learnings and memories as they look to build. They achieved a series of firsts – Natalia Padilla-Bidas made history with their first goal on this stage while they held off a Danish comeback to secure their first win in the final game. The opening performance against Germany was admirable despite defeat. It is an exciting time for the women's game in Poland and this outing, however brief, will help. Francisco Neto's side came into the tournament on a downward spiral that was made more emphatic by the manner of their emotional opening day defeat by Spain. There is no shame in losing to La Roja but the five goals conceded just illustrated how poor they have been defensively in 2025. Diana Gomes's late equaliser against Italy provided one of the more dramatic games of the group stage. Perhaps a rethink is needed as they look to World Cup qualification. Group C was always going to be tough for the Danes but this was their worst Euros performance. It can't have helped that the manager, Andrée Jeglertz, was announced as Manchester City's new manager on the eve of their first game. Denmark looked bright in spells but never really mounted a challenge and toiled when Pernille Harder was marked out of a game. They managed to salvage a little pride with late fightback against Poland but still succumbed to defeat and it proved too little too late. A sad ending to Nadia Nadim's career. The lowest-ranked team in the tournament were always going to struggle in the Group of the Death. Rhian Wilkinson's side did not get the luck of the draw in their major tournament bow. Despite three defeats, there will be plenty the Welsh can take back to Wales to try and back up this achievement. That their first goal in a European Championships was scored by Jess Fishlock seemed inevitable and the 38-year-old will now have a big decision to make about her future. Wilkinson pointed to the fitness gap between her side and the others while also making a rallying call to increase access to sport for girls in Wales. If Fifa World rankings are a real measure of a team, Iceland would have been the favourites in Group A despite registering one win since July 2024. However, Hildur Antonsdóttir's opening-day red card set the tone for a difficult campaign all round for Þorsteinn Halldórsson's side, that saw them defeated three times. A late rally against Norway gives hope for the future but there is an overreliance on the talent of Sveindís Jónsdóttir. The 20-year-old forward Katla Tryggvadóttir looked bright on her major tournament debut.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
France wary of Germany at women's Euros despite impressive showings
France's players celebrate their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 group D soccer match between Netherlands and France at St. Jakob-Park. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa France are keeping their feet firmly on the ground and don't see themselves as favourites in Saturday's quarter-final against Germany at women's Euro 2025. France have impressed by winning all their three group matches against title holders England, Wales and 2017 champions the Netherlands. Advertisement Germany have failed to really shine at the Euros and crashed 4-1 against Sweden in their final group game. France beat Germany in last year's Nations League semi-finals but have never won a match between the two at a World Cup or Euros, the last a 2-1 semi-final defeat in the Euro 2022 semis. They are also wary of the vast German success at big events with two World Cup crowns, one Olympic gold and a record eight Euro titles. "They are a great team, a great nation. We know that, they have won several international competitions," said Delphine Cascarino, who scored a brace in Sunday's 5-2 over the Dutch. Advertisement Attacking partner Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who had a goal and two assists, named Germany favourites, but the French also say they are ready for the challenge in their bid for a first major women's title. "France v Germany is a classic, it will be a great game. We know that it won't be an easy game," said Sandie Toletti, who opened the scoring on her 30th birthday Sunday. Coach Lauent Bonadei said that despite all big respect for Germany his team will be ready. "It is a big challenge, but we are ambitious and will do everything as the challenger to beat them," Bonedei said.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
France and England storm into women's Euros quarters with big wins
France's players celebrate their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 group D soccer match between Netherlands and France at St. Jakob-Park. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa France scored three goals in seven minutes as they rallied to a classy 5-2 triumph over the Netherlands at women's Euro 2025 on Sunday to clinch a quarter-final berth along with title holders England, who trounced Wales 6-1. Marie-Antoinette Katoto in the 61st and a quickfire brace from Delphine Cascarino in the 64th and 67th, before captain Sakina Karchaoui converted a stoppage time penalty, saw France reverse a 2-1 half-time deficit, and finish atop Group D with maximum points. Advertisement Sandie Toletti had opened the scoring for Les Bleus on her 30th birthday in the 22nd minute but the 2017 champions Netherlands kept up their dim knock-out round hopes when they went ahead 2-1 from Victoria Pelova in the 26th and a Selma Bacha own goal in the 41st. The French would have none of it, though, and advanced from the group of death together with England who were 4-0 up against Wales at half-time from Georgia Stanway's penalty and Ella Toone then scoring before setting up Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo. Substitutes Beth Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones warpped up matters in the 72nd and 89th as England got their second big win following a 4-0 over the Dutch, after an opening 2-1 defeat against France. Intriguing quarter-finals England will now face Sweden in the quarter-finals on Thursday, while France play record champions and 2022 runners-up Germany on Saturday. Advertisement Both quarter-final games are rematches of the 2022 semi-finals won by England and Germany, but France and Sweden, who also won all three games, have looked very strong in Switzerland. The other quarter-finals are Norway v Italy on Wednesday and hosts Switzerland v world champions and top favourites Spain on Friday. France and England happy "We got off to a good start, but then we gave ourselves a bit of a scare," France coach Laurent Bonadei told France TV. "At half-time, the players pulled themselves together, we readjusted tactically and we had a bit more bite. We had a good second half with some great goals. That's the kind of football we like, going forward. Advertisement "If someone had told me at the draw that we'd finish with nine points and 11 goals I might not have believed them. I'm proud of the girls." England coach Sarine Wiegman told ITV she was happy that "we won and scored six goals. We knew ahead of this tournament that this group was hard. When you lose the first game there is a massive urgency to win the other two." Looking ahead at Sweden, she said: "They're always very powerful, they have speed up front on the counter-attack. It is a hard team to beat. They have done well in the group. We will see and we will get ready." Dutch hit back after French lead Effectively needing a big victory to stay alive, the Dutch started brightly but France led when birthday girl Toletti found the bottom left corner completely unmarked from the edge of the area off Kototo. Advertisement The Dutch were level just four minutes later from Pelova's curling effort into the top corner on the rebound of Grant's volley saved superbly by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. The turnaround was complete in the 41st when Bacha hit into her own net off a deflected Lineth Beerensteyn cross. France rally in style France stepped up their efforts after the break and the equalizer came in the 61st from Katoto who was played through and beat golakeeper Daphne van Domselaar. The third soon followed from Cascarino's stunning long-range blast into the top left corner, and Cascarino hit again in the 67th on the rebound of Katoto's shot which bounced against the left and right post. Advertisement There was no way back for the Dutch and their misery was complete when Karchaoui converted from the spot late on. England in full command There were also seven goals in St Gallen, where England were in full control against their debutant neighbours and took the lead in the 13th minute when Stanway converted from the spot after a review determined that she was fouled inside the penalty area by Carrie Jones. Toone tapped the second in the 21st after her first effort was stopped on the goalline. Toone then set up Hemp to head the third at the far post after half an hour, and also fed Russo to tap the fourth shortly before half-time. Advertisement Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark tipped a Jessica Park volley against the post before Mead slotted the fifth in the 72nd. Wales got a consolation goal from Hannah Cain's blast five minutes later before Beever-Jones's header made it half a dozen late on. France's players celebrate their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 group D soccer match between Netherlands and France at St. Jakob-Park. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa France's Sandie Toletti (L) and Sakina Karchaoui celebrate their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 group D soccer match between Netherlands and France at St. Jakob-Park. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa England's Lauren Hemp (3rd R) celebrates her team's third goal with her teammates during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Group D soccer match between England and Wales at the Arena St. Gallen. Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa England's Alessia Russo (L) celebrates her team's fourth goal during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Group D soccer match between England and Wales at the Arena St. Gallen. Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
CNA
13-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Halftime pep talk sparks Cascarino heroics as France storm back to beat Netherlands
France forward Delphine Cascarino turned up the heat when it mattered most, scoring twice and creating another goal as her side roared back from a 2-1 deficit to thrash Netherlands 5-2 on Sunday and book a Women's Euro quarter-final clash with Germany. France took an early lead but found themselves trailing at halftime after conceding two goals. Enter Cascarino, who delivered a second-half masterclass that propelled France to victory in Group D ahead of second-placed England, who demolished Wales 6-1 to also advance. "She's a star, and at some point you have to light the fire so she can show her full potential," France coach Laurent Bonadei told reporters. "At halftime I told her she was able to do more and better, that went for the whole team too ... I liked Delphine's reaction." Cascarino took her coach at his word, setting up Marie-Antoinette Katoto to equalise in the 61st minute, and she then scored two quickfire goals herself to sink the Dutch and secure top spot in the group. "Laurent said we lacked aggression, and it was true. We were behind 2-1, we were making less effort in the defence, that was clear," Cascarino told reporters. "The Dutch were able to take advantage of our weakness, but we didn't let go. We showed aggression in the second half, and that really helped to get us over the line." France now face Germany in Basel on July 19, a prospect that does not faze the confident Cascarino despite her team's past struggles against the Germans. "When it comes to Germany, it's a very big nation," she said. "They won several trophies and they have already knocked out others, so we know it's going to be a great game, a big game and a difficult game. And we're going to try to find the cracks and to win the game."
