Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Preview: Germany Women vs. France Women - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 25 July 2022, 23:29
Germany Women are aiming to win their ninth European Championship title, but before they can contemplate lifting the silverware they must negotiate a semi-final encounter against France Women at Stadium MK on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Corinne Diacre's side have already made history by reaching their first European Championship semi-final, but they still have dreams of clinching a place in the Women's Euro 2022 final.

Match preview

Germany have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, scoring 11 goals in their four games, while they are yet to concede.

They began the tournament with a 4-0 win over Denmark before Spain and Finland were also brushed aside as Germany eased to top spot.

Austria awaited the eight-time European champions in the quarter-final, and they made a fine start, with Lina Magull opening the scoring in the 25th minute.

Although they face a fight back from Austria - who hit the woodwork on a number of occasions - Germany held firm before Alex Popp benefitted from a Manuela Zinsberger mistake to wrap up a 2-0 victory.

After negotiating a tricky quarter-final tie, the record European Championship winners will look forward to Wednesday's semi-final where they have the chance to maintain their unbeaten record against France at major tournaments.

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's side will also draw confidence from the fact they have won they are unbeaten in their previous six European Championship semi-finals.

While Germany are aiming to win their ninth European Championship trophy, France are dreaming about winning a major tournament for the first time.

In contrast to their opponents, France conceded in every group game, but their quality in attack ensured they progressed to the quarter-finals with minimal fuss.

Italy were dispatched by a comprehensive 5-1 scoreline before France clinched a narrow 2-1 victory over Belgium to guarantee top spot in their group after two games.

A 1-1 draw with Iceland completed the group stage, and another cagey contest awaited in the quarter-finals when France faced defending champions The Netherlands.

With the encounter still goalless after 90 minutes, the quarter-final tie was decided in extra-time where Eve Perisset held her nerve to dispatch her spot-kick in the 102nd minute after.

Diacre will now try to mastermind a win in France's first semi-final appearance at the European Championships, where they will also bid to extend an 18-game unbeaten run.

Although their head-to-head record against Germany at major tournaments leaves a lot to be desired, France may take inspiration from the 1-0 win they recorded in the most recent meeting between the two nations in June 2021.

Germany Women Women's European Championship form:

Germany Women form (all competitions):

France Women Women's European Championship form:

France Women form (all competitions):

Germany's Felicitas Rauch and Lena Oberdorf returned from suspension to start against Austria, and the pair are set to retain their places in the side, with Voss Tecklenburg expected to name an unchanged lineup.

The resilient centre-back pairing of Kathrin Hendrich and Marina Hegering will bid to keep Germany's fifth consecutive clean sheet of the tournament.

The responsibility of leading the line will fall to Popp, who has scored four goals at Euro 2022, leaving her just one strike behind tournament top scorer Beth Mead.

As for France, they are also likely to opt for continuity, with Diacre set to name an unchanged starting XI for Wednesday's contest.

Griedge Mbock will partner Wendie Renard in central defence and the pair will have their work cut out to restrict a Germany side that have scored at least two goals in every game at the tournament.

In the absence of Marie-Antoinette Katoto - who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in France's second group game - a front three made up of Kadidiatou Diani, Delphine Cascarino and Melvine Malard will look to provide the goal threat.

Germany Women possible starting lineup:

Frohms; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch; Magull, Oberdorf, Dabritz; Huth, Buhl, Popp

France Women possible starting lineup:

Peyraud-Magnin; Perisset, Mbock, Renard, Karchaoui; Geyoro, Bilbault, Toletti; Diani, Cascarino, Malard

We say: Germany Women 2-1 France Women

Germany have been in fine form across all areas of the pitch throughout the tournament, and we expect the record European Championship winners to draw upon their historic success at the European Championships to edge out France on Wednesday.

Previews by email

Top News

23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are readying an offer of €60m (£49.8m) for the signature of AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana, according to a report. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out a return for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford against Wolves on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal will not be playing on Boxing Day this year as they welcome Ipswich to the Emirates on Friday night instead. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe has affirmed that he does not expect Liverpool-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi to push for an exit during the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has insisted that there is "no deadline" to sign a new contract at Anfield as he prepares to enter the last six months of his current terms. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table against Leicester in Boxing Day's late kick-off. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Mason Mount is set for another lengthy injury absence, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will face Leicester City on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT, after celebrating Christmas at the top of the Premier League table. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz could move to the Arsenal right wing following the injury blow to Bukayo Saka. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Michael Owen has slammed the Aston Villa supporters who booed Jack Grealish - and told them to 'hang your heads in shame'. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas couldn't hold back the tears as he was given an emotional send-off before his retirement. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he expects Bukayo Saka to be out for "many weeks" with the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly struggling to attract offers for one of their fringe players ahead of the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Everton defender Ben Godfrey. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Gareth Southgate had an Adele hit on repeat before stepping down as England manager. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to be ruled out until February, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a Sporting Lisbon youngster as a potential signing for Strasbourg. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Big things were expected of Marko Mitrovic when he joined Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2008. 23 December 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT has today announced that is has won radio rights to the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 coverage. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Boxing Day football is beloved by fans and one of the highlights of the Christmas schedule - but it can prove tricky for the players. 23 December 2024 talksport.com A handful of Premier League stars will be able to spend Christmas at home this year after receiving a Boxing Day ban. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea return to action on Boxing Day when they play host to local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lisandro Martinez has claimed that Manchester United were "playing so well" before losing 3-0 to Bournemouth on Sunday. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has allegedly made a further two senior players available for transfer. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal have reportedly scouted Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui as an alternative transfer target to Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly discovered the asking price of Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Denis Suarez wasn't the player Arsenal fans wanted to sign - but he's the footballer supporters have a hard time in forgetting. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be aiming to avoid four straight defeats across all competitions when they welcome Everton to the Etihad in the Premier League on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After spending Christmas Day in the bottom half of the Premier League table, Tottenham Hotspur endeavour to atone for recent failings when they travel to Nottingham Forest for a Boxing Day battle. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After celebrating Christmas Day at the top of the Premier League table, Liverpool get back to business on Boxing Day, when they welcome Leicester City to Anfield.