UEFA has now decided that Sweden win 3-0 on paper against Denmark. That was expected, but the Danes remain in the competition and also have to pay a € 20 000 fine.
They have also decided this : To exclude Denmark women’s national team from participating in UEFA competition matches for which it would otherwise qualify. This sanction is deferred for a probationary period of four (4) years. Denmark cannot piss around again.
The group 4 dynamic has therefore changed Sweden now have 9 points from three games and a 10-0 goal difference Denmark have 6 points from 3 games and a 10-4 goal difference Reminder : If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points on completion of the group stage, the following criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings: a. higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question; b. superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question; c. higher number of goals scored in the group matches played among the teams in question; d. higher number of goals scored away from home in the group matches played among the teams in question; If the two teams finish equal on points, Denmark will need to beat Sweden by 4 in their head to head second game to win the group.
The threat to boycott the Swedish football awards gala had effect, after SvFF vented during a day negotiation restarted and deal was done in about 24h (after a year without reaching agreement before that). So I finally understand the great value of the Swedish football award gala, it gives the girls something to hit SvFF with without risking qualifications or ranking.
9 qualifying games today, an interesting friendly between Germany and France. Yesterday Austria beat Israel 2-0.
UEFA website shows match forfeited but also both teams on the table with 6 points and two games played ?? http://www.uefa.com/womensworldcup/season=2019/matches/round=2000871/match=2022756/index.html
Matches yesterday and today: GROUP 1 Wales vs Kazakhstan 1-0 Ladd 83 England vs Bosnia Herzegovina 4-0 Houghton 19,54, Parris 46, Kirby 83(p) GROUP 2 Albania vs Poland 1-4 Doci 78 - Sikora 5, Gusciora 13, Winczo 37,66 Switzerland vs Belarus 3-0 Calligaris 17, Wälti 18, Reuteler 56 GROUP 3 Slovakia vs Netherlands 0-5 Vd Gragt 8,90+1, Spitse 42, Miedema 45+1,46 GROUP 4 Hungary vs Ukraine 0-1 Apanaschenko 90+4 GROUP 5 Slovenia vs Faroe Islands 5-0 Prasnikar 7,36,87, Agrez 29, Rozmaric 41 GROUP 6 Portugal vs Moldova 8-0 C.Mendes 19, Cusinova 32(og), C.Costa 47,83, Di.Silva 63, Do.Silva 72(p), V.Marquez 79,90+2 Munteanu sent off 82 GROUP 7 Austria vs Israel 2-0 Puntigam 12, Burger 57 Serbia vs Spain 1-2 Damjanovic 78 - Hermoso 13, Guijarro 90+1
They left it late. Group 7 is interesting. Spain are not looking totally invincible so far. Finland play Israel tomorrow early afternoon and can go level on points with Austria and Spain after two games. The Finns might cause some stir in that group. But most of all, I look forward to Tuesday when the Dutch take on Ireland. Let's hope for some good bus parking from Colin Bell.
Spain is certainly an interesting case... Vilda has been with the team for around 3 years now, I would expect the team to overall look a little bit better. Considering he previously led the U-19 squad, though, I wonder if he's holding the team in an awkward spot where the U-19 players he's used to aren't *quite* yet at the level to work into the senior squad just yet, and he hasn't struck the balance necessary yet. It will certainly be interesting to see how the 2014 and 2016 U-17 players do when they start challenging for senior team spots. That said, 3pts is 3pts. Previously, Spain underwhelmed at each of the last three big tournaments it was in (EURO13, WWC15, EURO17) when they didn't get points that their roster suggested they should have... But then they won Algarve '17 by winning three tough games while drawing against lowly Iceland. (Well, maybe then-lowly, considering the Germany result since then.) I wonder if the current mentality is making the team simply play to the level of their opponent and just making sure to win the games that matter. Definitely looking forward to Spain-Austria though... Also NED-IRL, POR-ITA, and WAL-BIH.
This is the one I fear, as an Italian. We'd need a win, to keep competing with Belgium for the top spot, but I am not sure we have the strength to go beating Portugal at their home. Ok, Moldova are meaningless minions, but Portugal's latest 8-0 win vs them suggests that they're in a good condition and I especially fear the speed of Diana Silva and Ana Borges (I am surprised thatthis last one didn't score vs Moldova: was she playing? ).
Finland v Israel today in Group 7, with more games on Tuesday including a big Spain v Austria in the same group. Also a derby between Romania and Moldova. The aforementioned Portugal v Italy, both in Group 6. Bosnia v Wales and England v Kazakhstan in Group 1. Wales are struggling to find goals but they leave at home three creative forwards who play in WSL1 and 2 fr some unknown reasons. Netherlands v Republic of Ireland as well
The match Portugal - Italy will be streamed here: https://www.facebook.com/NazionaleCalcio/ today at 6 pm italian time (5 pm local time)
big game today as Holland vs Ireland, Good news; a reported another crowd sell out for the Dutch. Bad news; the best long ball specialist in the world, Megan Campbell, just ruptured her ACL. Without her, I think this probably ends Ireland's chances
here's a link to possible streams from most of the matches today http://www.womenssoccerunited.com/live-streams-for-todays-uefa-womens-world-cup-qualification/
Not sure what to make of POR-ITA... POR had two second-half goals disallowed by offensive foul. Not able to watch either NED-IRL or ESP-AUT right now because sister is working =-/
By my part, I unfortunately wasn't able to watch Portugal-Italy for work reasons: maybe I'll try to watch it later, or at least highlights. You seem to imply that the two goals disallowed to Portugal were actually legitimate? Sorry, but I didn't watch the game, so your comment is not completely clear to me...
no live coverage of the Spain - Austria game other than a match tracker on MARCA. But last time I looked, it was 3-0 for Spain at halftime.
I of course hadn't the time to re-watch it yet, but it looks like the official YouTube channel of Italian Football Federation, "Vivo Azzurro", has the video of the whole Portugal-Italia match. I'll sure give it a look, later: if not the whole game, at least the situations @SiberianThunderT was talking about. Oh, for your information, the actual video starts at about 11':15", after an impossibly long freezed screen :