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Reuters
a day ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Spain must improve defence against counter attacks, says Patri
BERN, Switzerland, July 11 (Reuters) - Spain will have to defend better against teams that hit them on the counter-attack as they go into the knockout stages of the Women's Euros, midfielder Patri said on Friday after their 3-1 win over Italy. Patri scored a second-half goal as her side, the reigning world and Nations League champions who are attempting to add a European crown, secured top place in Group B with a perfect nine points from three games to set up a quarter-final against hosts Switzerland in Bern in a week's time. The 27-year-old Patri said that it was only natural that, with Spain dominating possession, teams would try to hit them on the break. "We see with the goals that transitions are important -- sometimes it's dead balls and we're not strong enough, these actions we have to study and improve. With transitions we like to keep the ball, we try to overwhelm the opponent and it's normal that they try to get us during transitions," she told reporters. "We have to talk and to be aware of where the ball is." After a shaky start, Spain took command and barely let the Italians, who also progressed from the group, touch the ball, but that did not mean that it was an easy game for the Spaniards. "It was hard, we knew Italy would be very intense, very strong, but we adjusted our pressure, trying to do better in some actions from the middle and on the wings, we wanted to be there more," Patri explained. Coach Montserrat Tome has the best part of a week to work on transition defence with her players. "We'll continue improving. We are at the highest level, we play against very high quality teams like Italy," she told reporters. "We have to adjust what we need to adjust, and I'm confident we can continue as we have done."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spain's 6-2 win over Belgium puts it on brink of Euro 2025 quarterfinals
Spain's Esther Gonzalez celebrates her side's third goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Belgium at Arena Thun in Thun, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain head coach Montserrat Tome reacts during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Belgium at Arena Thun in Thun, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Irene Paredes, left, and Spain's Esther Gonzalez celebrate their side's second goal of the game during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group B soccer match between Spain and Belgium at the Stockhorn Arena in Thun, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (Til Buergy/Keystone via AP) Spain's Alexia Putellas (11) celebrates after scoring her side's opening goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Belgium at Arena Thun in Thun, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Alexia Putellas (11) celebrates after scoring her side's opening goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Belgium at Arena Thun in Thun, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Esther Gonzalez celebrates her side's third goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Belgium at Arena Thun in Thun, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain head coach Montserrat Tome reacts during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Belgium at Arena Thun in Thun, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Irene Paredes, left, and Spain's Esther Gonzalez celebrate their side's second goal of the game during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group B soccer match between Spain and Belgium at the Stockhorn Arena in Thun, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (Til Buergy/Keystone via AP) Spain's Alexia Putellas (11) celebrates after scoring her side's opening goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Belgium at Arena Thun in Thun, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) THUN, Switzerland (AP) — World Cup champion Spain closed in on the quarterfinals of the Women's European Championship with another statement victory, 6-2 over Belgium on Monday. It was, surprisingly, the first time Spain won back-to-back matches at the Euros, after beating Portugal 5-0 in its opener. Advertisement With 11 goals in two matches, Spain and its star-packed squad is living up to its billing as the tournament favorite. Spain will secure a place in the quarterfinals if Italy avoids defeat against Portugal later — a result that would also eliminate Belgium. Spain laid siege to the Belgium goal from the start. Mariona Caldentey played in a lovely pass from the edge of the area to Vicky López, who cushioned it on for Alexia Putellas to sweep into the far corner. However, Spain's 22nd-minute lead lasted barely two minutes before Justine Vanhaevermaet headed in Tessa Wullaert's corner at the near post. Advertisement Spain captain Irene Paredes was playing her first match of the tournament after being suspended from the opener, and she made it 2-1 before the break when she headed in a corner. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí was brought on at halftime. She was hospitalized for viral meningitis before the tournament and played only eight minutes against Portugal. Belgium leveled again through Hannah Eurlings shortly after the restart. It was initially ruled out for offside but awarded by the VAR. Less than a minute later, Spain led for a third time when Putellas played in Esther González for the veteran forward to score her third goal of the tournament. Advertisement When a González effort was blocked, the ball was not cleared and Mariona Caldentey fired in Spain's fourth. Claudia Pina curled a sumptuous 20-yard effort into the top right corner and there was still time for Putellas — another two-time Ballon d'Or winner — to net her second of the match. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
World champion Spain routs Portugal 5-0 in their Euro 2025 opener
Portugal head coach Francisco Neto watches as Portugal's Andreia Norton tries to tackle Spain's Mariona Caldentey, left, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain head coach Montserrat Tome gestures during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Portugal's Ana Borges and Spain's Mariona Caldentey, right, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Esther Gonzalez, right, and Portugal's Andreia Jacinto in action during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP) Spain's Esther Gonzalez, 3rd left, celebrates after scoring her side's fourth goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Esther Gonzalez, 3rd left, celebrates after scoring her side's fourth goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Portugal head coach Francisco Neto watches as Portugal's Andreia Norton tries to tackle Spain's Mariona Caldentey, left, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain head coach Montserrat Tome gestures during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Portugal's Ana Borges and Spain's Mariona Caldentey, right, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Esther Gonzalez, right, and Portugal's Andreia Jacinto in action during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP) Spain's Esther Gonzalez, 3rd left, celebrates after scoring her side's fourth goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) BERN (AP) — Esther González scored twice and world champion Spain delivered a statement of intent by routing Portugal 5-0 in their Women's European Championship opener on Thursday. The 32-year-old González became the oldest player to score for Spain, minutes before 18-year-old Vicky López became the youngest. Advertisement Spain captain Alexia Putellas also scored for La Roja, showing she's ready to lead the team to success after missing Euro 2022 with a knee injury. Spain lost to eventual winner England in the quarterfinals of that tournament. Substitute Cristina Martin-Prieto completed the scoring with a header in stoppage time. González wasted little time before opening the scoring after 87 seconds with a flick past Inês Pereira. It quickly became apparent the Portugal goalkeeper would have a busy game. She did. Only 24 minutes were played when the fans started a Mexican wave around the nearly 30,000-capacity Wankdorf Stadium, normally home to Swiss Super League team Young Boys. The club also has a women's team, which is also called Young Boys. Advertisement Spain dominated possession in a textbook first-half display. Teammates' work off the ball ensured there was always a passing option. No player had the ball for long as it zipped around and the Portuguese players were left to chase it. But Spain coach Montse Tomé may have concerns about her team's second-half performance as her players' level of control dropped. Martin-Prieto's late goal was the only addition. The game was preceded by a moment's silence for Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, killed in a car crash with his brother the night before. ___ AP soccer:


Telegraph
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Women's Euro 2025 odds: Tournament preview and predictions
The Uefa Women's Euro 2025 tournament takes place in Switzerland from July 2-27. England defend the title they won in 2022 and this article looks at the latest odds for the competition and provides analysis of the main contenders. Women's Euro 2025 odds Here are the odds for all 16 of the nations to win the Women's Euro 2025 title. If you already have a bet365 account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's action, check out our list of the best free bets. Women's Euro 2025 odds – the main contenders There are four nations that are ranked as the main contenders at short odds to win the Women's Euro 2025 tournament. Read on for analysis for all four of these teams, plus our best picks among the outsiders. Spain – 2/1 Montserrat Tome's Spain are the favourites to win the European Championship for the first time and rightly so, having lifted the World Cup in 2023. They should have no problem in the group stage, where they face Portugal, Belgium and Italy. They beat both Portugal and Belgium home and away during their recent Nations League campaign. If Spain top Group B they face the Group A runners-up in the quarter-finals. That section, which includes the hosts Switzerland, looks the weakest of the four, so Spain have a friendly path to the semi-finals. Already used the bet365 promo code for their casino offering? Take a look at more online casino bonuses here England – 3/1 The second favourites are the Lionesses, who were runners-up at the 2023 World Cup and won the previous European Championship in 2022 thanks to Chloe Kelly's winner against Germany. Big names such as Mary Earps and Fran Kirby have retired from international duty, while Millie Bright has withdrawn from the squad. There is still plenty of experience in Sarina Weigman's party but their recent results have been erratic. They failed to win any of their away games in the Nations League and finished second behind France in qualifying for this tournament. While England have the nous to make progress, they are poor value at 3/1. Why not make use of the Betfred promo code for similar odds available France – 9/2 France have once again been drawn alongside England in Group D of Euro 2024. With the Netherlands also in this group, it looks to be the toughest in the competition. Nevertheless, the French could be worth considering at this price. They have already finished above England in qualifying, although there is an argument that they would be better off finishing second in this group and avoiding the likelihood of meeting Spain in the semi-finals. France have never reached the last four of the Euros, but would seem to represent better value than England and could be worth an each-way bet. Germany – 5/1 Of the four main contenders we have featured, Germany look to be on the easier side of the draw. If they win their Group C then their quarter-final could be tough, against the runners-up in Group D, but the winners could then have a favourable semi-final. Although Germany underperformed at the last World Cup, they reached the final of this competition in 2022 and finished third at the 2024 Olympics. Women's Euro 2025 odds – best of the rest Group A stands out for being without a truly elite team, giving an underdog a chance to progress into the latter stages of this tournament. Both the hosts Switzerland and Norway are priced at 25/1. Whoever wins the group will meet the second-placed team in Group B, which is likely to be Portugal, Belgium or Italy. Either the Swiss or Norwegians should make the quarters, with the latter having more potential to go further, with the likes of Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen and Ada Hegerberg in their squad.