France and Germany first to finals
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Article summary
France and Germany are the first qualifiers to book their finals places in the Netherlands, while Spain, Norway and Switzerland are among those close to joining them.
Article top media content
Article body
France and holders Germany are the first teams to book their place at UEFA Women's EURO 2017 alongside hosts the Netherlands next summer, while Spain, Norway and Switzerland are in sight of joining them after they, Sweden, Scotland and Iceland – but not England – kept up their perfect records in April's qualifiers.
Confirmed qualifiers: Netherlands (hosts), Germany (holders), France
Confirmed at least play-off: Scotland, Spain
• The qualifying group stage resumes on 2 June and runs until 20 September.
• The group winners and the six best runners-up (not counting results against fifth-placed teams) will join hosts the Netherlands in the final tournament from 16 July–6 August 2017.
• The other two runners-up will play off over two legs from 17–25 October for the remaining berth in the expanded 16-team finals (after a draw, on 23 September, to determine who is at home in which leg).
• Results
• Latest standings
Group 1
Everything is set up for the 3 June meeting of Scotland and Iceland in Falkirk after both extended their 100% records. Scotland ensured a top-two finish by defeating Slovenia 3-1 to stay top, with Jane Ross scoring twice to increase her competition-leading tally to eight, while four days later Iceland won 5-0 in Belarus, though they trail by three points having played four games to the leaders' five. Slovenia are still in contention, six points behind Iceland having played a match more, following a 8-1 victory against FYR Macedonia.
Group 2
There is no stopping Spain at the summit of this section after they won 4-1 in Portugal and beat the Republic of Ireland 3-0 to move on to 18 points from six games, guaranteeing a top-two finish. Finland, the only side that can catch Spain, triumphed 7-1 in Montenegro but are nine points behind with two matches in hand (though three ahead of Ireland). Spain's remaining home fixtures against Montenegro and Finland are in September yet they could be qualified by then – certainly if Finland drop points against Ireland or Portugal in June.
Group 3
France became the first team to book qualification on 11 April when they thrashed Ukraine 4-0 in Valenciennes to follow up their 1-0 success in Romania; Les Bleues are yet to drop a point or concede a goal and their record run of victories in qualifiers now stands at 39. Having previously won 2-0 against Albania, Ukraine are second, three points clear of Romania, who have a game in hand. In June Romania go to Albania before Ukraine host Greece.
Group 4
Sweden made it four victories out of four by winning 3-0 in Slovakia, with their fellow 2013 semi-finalists Denmark held 0-0 in Poland and dropping five points behind. However, Slovakia then came from behind to beat Poland 2-1 with an added-time Patrícia Hmírová goal and are now second. Denmark and Poland are two points adrift of Slovakia but respectively have two matches and one game in hand. On 2 June Poland host Sweden and Slovakia play Denmark on a crucial day of caction.
Group 5
Holders Germany are assured of a finals spot after winning 6-0 in Turkey with an Isabel Kerschowski hat-trick and then 2-0 against Croatia, their sixth perfect victory. That result was enough as, despite a late comeback, Russia could only draw 3-3 with Hungary. The Hungarians are second, a point above Croatia and two further clear of Russia, who have two games in hand. Russia entertain Turkey and travel to Croatia in June.
Group 6
A year on from their FIFA Women's World Cup finals debut, Switzerland are on course to reach a first UEFA Women's EURO thanks to a 2-1 triumph over Italy with goals from Ramona Bachmann and Meriame Terchoun. Switzerland have won all five of their fixtures and are six points better off than Italy, who overcame Northern Ireland 3-1 on Tuesday. The Czech Republic are three points behind Italy with a match in hand having thrashed Georgia 4-1 although their game in Northern Ireland was postponed due to traffic congestion. A win for Switzerland in the Czech Republic on 4 June would clinch a finals bow.
Group 7
England let in a competitive home goal for the first time since 2005 before a late Jill Scott equaliser gave them a 1-1 home draw with Belgium. Still, that ended England's 100% record and despite their 1-0 victory in Bosnia and Herzegovina, earned by an 86th-minute Karen Carney goal, they remain one point adrift of Belgium, who defeated Estonia 6-0 but have played a game more. England face Serbia, three points off second spot, at home on 4 June and away three days later; the same week Belgium go to Estonia.
Group 8
A Lene Mykjåland penalty made sure 2013 runners-up Norway won 1-0 in Austria, maintaining their 100% record while halting their hosts'. These countries are level on 12 points, with Norway having a match in hand, prior to the return fixture at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadion on 2 June. Wales are five points behind the front two following a 4-0 win in Kazakhstan; on 7 June they welcome Norway, who will qualify with victory if they have beaten Austria three days earlier.
The hosts
The Netherlands followed up their two successes against Denmark in Turkey in January by hosting the Olympic qualifiers last month and beating Switzerland 4-3, losing 4-1 to Norway and drawing 1-1 with the now-Brazil-bound Sweden. On Thursday they received New Zealand in Velsen-Zuid and won 2-0 with two Shanice van de Sanden goals. However, Canada then prevailed 2-1 in Eindhoven on Sunday, Christine Sinclair and Janine Beckie scoring before Stefanie van der Gragt pulled one back.