Group A Belgium Denmark Netherlands Norway 16th July 18:00 NED – NOR (Galgenwaard, Utrecht) 16th July 20:45 DEN – BEL (Vijverberg, Doetinchem) 20th July 18:00 NOR – BEL (Rat Verlegh, Breda) 20th July 20:45 NED – DEN (Sparta Stadion, Rotterdam) 24th July 20:45 NOR – DEN (De Adelaarshorst, Deventer) 24th July 20:45 BEL – NED (Willem II, Tillburg)
I feel like everyone from this group can advance to the KO staves. I think Norway ofc and Netherlands are going to make it, but wouldn't be surprised if Denmark got through either.
A very open goup, hard to know who will qualify except Belgium, unless they can find defensive strength. I think Norway and Danemark should win today.
Netherlands: van Veenendaal; van Lunteren, Dekker, van den Berg, van Es; Spitse, Groenen, van den Donk; Martens, van de Sanden, Miedema Norway: Hjelmseth; Wold, Mjelde, Holstad, Thorsnes; Thorisdottir, Maanum, Schjelderup; Hansen, Minde, Hegerberg Note that Norway's midfield is very inexperienced (unless Mjelde moves up). Last time around they had legends like Stensland and Gulbrandsen pulling the strings.
I would love the Netherlands to do well but it will not be easy to qualify in a very balanced group, the Dutch are way better when they play counter-attacking football but playing at home in front of a galvanized crowd could force them to build-up plays opening themselves which they could seriously pay against Norway, specially letting Hansen plays 1vs1.
Last curiosity before it kicks off, today is the 18th birtday of Norway Frida Maanum who is starting...what a great birthday present, unforgettable....also yesterday was Vivianne Miedema 21st birthday. Happy birthday to both girls.
After all that hollering I did about this thing starting, I nearly missed the 1st match. LOL. In honor of my bae, @BonnieLass, I'm pulling for Norway today. Let's go, Norway!
the Dutch wingers are pretty good (just basing it on this early part of the game). Norway seems a bit more composed but the Netherlands pretty dangerous on the break
their defense also can't seem to clear balls very well. Thoredottir is a nice surprise, could she be the new Stensland? & more importantly, with a name like that, shouldn't she be playing for Iceland?
True, looks shaky. Thorisdottir was born and raised in Norway, but her father (don't know about her mother) is from Iceland. Her father is the chef trainer for our handball women!