Denmark complete quarter-final lineup
Thursday, July 18, 2013
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Denmark are through to the quarter-finals after drawing of lots and play France, while Sweden meet Iceland, Italy take on Germany and Norway face Spain on Sunday and Monday.
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Denmark took the last available place in the UEFA Women's EURO 2013 quarter-finals after the drawing of lots, and the schedule leaves hosts Sweden and holders Germany on course to potentially meet in the semi-finals.
Two of the three best third-placed teams were to join the top two teams in each group in the quarter-finals, but while Iceland in Group B got four points, both Denmark in Group A and Russia in Group C managed two. Thus, with goal difference not counting, a draw was made by UEFA Executive Committee member and UEFA Women's Football Committee chairwoman Karen Espelund, and Denmark were selected.
The knockouts begin on Sunday afternoon in a sold-out Örjans vall in Halmstad when Sweden take on Iceland. The team that emerges will travel to Gothenburg on Wednesday to meet the winners of Sunday's late game between Italy and Germany, who overcame the Azzurre 2-1 at this stage four years ago in Lahti on their way to a fifth straight title.
Norway, who beat Germany to top spot in Group B, face Group C runners-up Spain in Kalmar on Monday. Then the quarter-finals will end in Linkoping with France up against Denmark before the winners of those two ties play in Norrkoping three days later.
The final is at Solna's Friends Arena on Sunday 28 July. The capacity was increased this week from 30,000 to 40,000 and more than half of those extra tickets have already gone for what will be a competition-record crowd.
Knockout schedule (all times CET)
Quarter-finals
21 July: Sweden v Iceland (QF1, Halmstad, 15.00)
21 July: Italy v Germany (QF4, Vaxjo, 18.00)
22 July: Norway v Spain (QF2, Kalmar, 18.00)
22 July: France v Denmark (QF3, Linkoping, 20.45)
Semi-finals
24 July: QF1 v QF4 (SF1, Gothenburg, 20.30)
25 July: QF2 v QF3 (SF2, Norrkoping, 20.30)
Final
28 July: SF1 v SF2 (Solna, 16.00)