Eight-times European champions Germany romped to a resounding victory in their Group B opener on Friday evening, beating Denmark 4-0 at Brentford Community Stadium in front of a near-16,000 strong crowd.
Determined to avenge their 2017 Euro exit – where they bowed out at the quarter-final stage to Denmark – Die Nationalelf got this year’s campaign off to a flyer, and had hit the bar three times inside the opening 15 minutes before Lina Magull opportunistically broke the deadlock.
Felicitas Rauch crashed two shots off the upright, while Frauen Bundesliga top scorer Lea Schuller did the same with a diving header from close range, setting the tone for an encounter in which the Germans were a yard quicker, and tactically smarter, than their Danish counterparts.
They are, however, part of the tournament’s toughest group which includes a particularly impressive Spanish side, who were themselves convincing 4-1 victors over Finland after scoring a hat-trick of headers and a penalty in the day’s earlier kick-off.
The Danes, finalists at the last European championships, looked in good shape during the initial stages, having played three warm-up ties to prepare for this summer’s tournament – beating Austria and Brazil before losing narrowly to Norway.
But their competitiveness waned as legs tired, paving the way for Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side to demonstrate why they are the most decorated women’s side in European history – the win also celebrated their 500th outing in an official match.
Suggestions that Germany are no longer entirely invincible were occasionally ratified, in spite of the commanding scoreline. Merle Frohms was called into question by Signe Bruun with a fierce shot from distance in the first period – one of two efforts on target – while Chelsea’s Pernille Harder found pockets of space to exploit throughout.
Buoyed by a legacy of European success, Germany’s intent was clear from the minute Magull struck an emphatic opener, though, with the outcome somewhat of a foregone conclusion from that moment onwards. Scorer turned provider, Magull delivered a pitch-perfect corner for Schuller to head beyond a helpless Lene Christensen in the 57th minute, with Denmark unable to keep pace with the athleticism on show from the Germans.
VAR denied captain Huth a goal of her own 15 minutes before full time, before substitute Lena Lattwein lashed home from six-yards as Lars Sondergaard’s side failed to clear their lines from a free-kick.
Alexandra Popp rounded off the best move of the night with a diving header in the 86th minute to cap a ruthless second-half scoring display from the Germans, who have further strengthened their case as potential favourites for continental silverware this summer.
Denmark ended a dismal performance with a last-minute sending-off as 19-year-old Katherine Moller Kuhl was dismissed for a second bookable offence after coming on as a second-half substitute.
What’s next?
Germany and Denmark are back in action on Tuesday. Germany take on Spain at the Brentford Community Stadium (kick-off 8pm), with Denmark facing Finland at the Stadium MK.
Group B concludes on Saturday 16 July, with Germany playing Finland in Milton Keynes. Denmark take on Spain at the Brentford Community Stadium with both games kicking off at 8pm.
Follow Euro 2022 across Sky Sports
Keep up with all the latest from Euro 2022 across Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.
Coverage will be anchored by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will give analysis throughout the tournament.
They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.
The pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women’s Euro 2022 Mobile Presentation Bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where matches are being played.
In addition, Sky Sports’ Essential Football Podcast will be rebranded for the tournament to Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast from 21 June. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews in addition to a strong programme line up around the tournament.
Euro 2022: The groups…
Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland
Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
Euro 2022: The schedule…
Group stage
Wednesday July 6
Group A: England 1-0 Austria
Thursday July 7
Group A: Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland
Friday July 8
Group B: Spain 4-1 Finland
Group B: Germany 4-0 Denmark
Saturday July 9
Group C: Portugal vs Switzerland – kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Group C: Netherlands vs Sweden – kick off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Sunday July 10
Group D: Belgium vs Iceland – kick off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Italy – kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Monday July 11
Group A: Austria vs Northern Ireland – kick off 5pm, St Mary’s
Group A: England v Norway – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Tuesday July 12
Group B: Denmark vs Finland – kick off 5pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany vs Spain – kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Wednesday July 13
Group C: Sweden vs Switzerland – kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Netherlands v Portugal – kick off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Thursday July 14
Group D: Italy vs Iceland – kick off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Belgium – kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Friday July 15
Group A: Northern Ireland v England – kick off 8pm, St Mary’s
Group A: Austria vs Norway – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Saturday July 16
Group B: Finland vs Germany – kick off 8pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Denmark vs Spain – kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Sunday July 17
Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands – kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Sweden vs Portugal – kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Monday July 18
Group D: Iceland vs France – kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Group D: Italy vs Belgium – kick off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Knockout phase
Quarter-finals
Wednesday July 20
Quarter-final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Thursday July 21
Quarter-final 2: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A – kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Friday July 22
Quarter-final 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D – kick off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Quarter-final 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C – kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Semi-finals
Tuesday July 26
Semi-final 1: Winners quarter-final 1 v Winners quarter-final 3 – kick off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Wednesday July 27
Semi-final 2: Winners quarter-final 2 v Winners quarter-final 4 – kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Final
Sunday July 31
Winners semi-final 1 v Winners semi-final 2 – kick off 5pm, Wembley
