Servus Syndicate Members,
Just about everything we could possibly want in a tournament, eh football fans? Still no goalless draws. An average of well over three tallies per fixture. Plenty of intrigue heading into the final stage of group play.
With three top spots already clinched, we'll have our fair share of non-events in the coming round. As always, there's no need to fear boredom as the forever magic of the "Gijon Game" ensures that we've got simultaneous kickoffs coming up.
Just as was the case with the last Lines section, your friendly bookie is pleased to supply you with easy access to those looking to catch up with the action via a set of hyperlinks to the dailies. Relive it all in full-color should you so desire.
Day Six Recap (England, Norway, and Austria)
Day Seven Recap (Germany, Spain, and Denmark)
Day Eight Recap (Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland)
Day Nine Recap (France, Italy, and Iceland)
England, France, and Germany have their knockout places booked via top place in their group. Eleven of the thirteen remaining teams are still in it. Only Finland and Northern Ireland have been eliminated.
Might as well invite the Ulster lasses to serve as guests in helping to present these Lines. Nice to have them in the tourney. May they find salvage some pride tomorrow.
Friday, July 15th
Group A Final Kickoff @20:00 (Greenwich Mean)
The big shocker in this group ultimately had nothing to do with any particular team knocking off or nicking points off another. Instead, we all watched in total disbelief as the Norwegians went into total meltdown mode against the hostesses in Brighton on Monday night. A disaster on an inconceivable scale.
After investing some thought in the possibility of the Austrians delivering a walloping sucker-punch to the stunned Norse girls, bookie doesn't think we'll see any more surprises here. Order should be restored and we'll ultimately see this group shake out exactly how it was predicted. The Grasshoppers have too much talent.
England vs. Northern Ireland
vs.
The group's inconsequential fixture shall feature some very interesting deployments for those interested in the future of the English women's program. Practically all of the phenoms will get a start. Wiegman does need to keep certain elements of the team together for the sake of rhythm and form. It's such that we'll probably see the back-four unchanged whilst Keira Walsh remains in midfield.
Apart from that, there should be an entirely new cast up front. Alessia Russo, Ella Toone, and Nikita Parris all get a start whilst Ellen White, Lauren Hemp, and Beth Mead are all rested. Jill Scott probably leads in place of Fran Kirby at the ten-spot as well. Maybe Jess Carter and Demi Stokes receive a runout in the fullback roles.
We'll see. Don't think it'll be a competitive match in any case.
THE LINE: England +3 Goals (holding)
Austria vs. Norway
A hefty "to-do" list for Norwegian trainer Martin Sjørgen following last round's humiliation. Your friendly bookie doesn't envy the man's task. To bring this team back from the brink requires much more than the proper tactical acumen. What recommendations this Sportsbook has offered don't even begin to cover the psychological prep needed to get the girls up for this one.
A certain someone is most assuredly re-thinking her decision to come out of retirement following Monday's shellacking. One of the most recognizable faces in women's football stands just one loss away from another humiliating group stage exit while in service for her country. Bookie bets that she and the rest of this über-talented squad pull themselves up and regain sound footing here.
With all the love in the world to the enthusiastic Mädels from "Kleindeutschland", the ÖFB-girls simply have too many average players who presently find themselves in average form. Would be delighted to encounter a surprise here. It just doesn't look as if a sensation is in the cards.
THE LINE: Norway +2 Goals (holding)
Initial Group Projection (6/29/22)
1) England
4) Northern Ireland
Final Group Projection (7/14/22)
(Straight Up Odds for Bookie)
1) England
4) Northern Ireland
Saturday, July 16th
Group B Final Kickoff @20:00 (Greenwich Mean)
This group (surprisingly so from my perspective) turned out to be all about the unexpected German women's resurgence. The bookie himself and all of his Bundesrepublik compatriots are all pumped up about the Mädels after their exceptional strong statement wins against Denmark and Spain. We're starting to believe.
I unreservedly tipped Spain to win this group as I thought their time had come. I still like the look of Vilda's side in spite of the many weak points laid bare in Tuesday's result. In the bookie's humble opinion, Spain are far from finished. They should deliver another convincing win on Saturday to set up a delectable quarterfinal showdown with the English.
The Iberians shall rise again!
Deutschland vs. Finland
Bookie has to keep an eye on this one for both professional and personal coverage purposes. You can be forgiven for tuning into the other fixture as there's much more at stake there. Some new players to feature here in a match without consequences.
Now that the German defense appears to be functioning at a high level, I don't see our Bundestrainerin resting the CB duo of Marina Hegering and Kathrin Hendrich. Giulia Gwinn and Felicitas Rauch should start as well. Plenty of actors to be pulled at the half irrespective of the scoreline.
Those keen to see some young attacking guns (i.e me and maybe one other person) can likely check out Tabea Waßmuth, Jule Brand, Laura Freigang and perhaps even Nicole Anyomi. I'll wager on the backup Mädels securing an easy victory in this effective "test match".
THE LINE: Deutschland +2 Goals
Spain vs. Denmark
vs.
Very intriguing battle for second place in the group. Much depends on whether Pernille Harder's "noggin-knock" proves serious. If the talisman can't make it back in time, the Danes are truly without a chance. Based on the inherently frustrating inability of the team to click in their narrow victory over the Russo-Nords, bookie basically believes that Lars Søondergaard's girls are without a chance anyway.
Some feel as if Jorge Vilda's La Roja Feminina currently deal with some sort of "striker crisis". This is naturally based on the lack of a threatening target finisher popping up in the match against the Germans. While it remains true that the likes of Sheila Garcia and Esther Gonzalez have had a disappointing tournament thus far, bookie feels that just about any actor will have an easier time against the Danish back-three.
The most sensible move would be to give Mariona Caldentey her turn in the false-nine role. The team's primary bright spot should work just fine there. If Vilda opts for Claudia Pina or even Amaiur Sarriegi instead, I think it still works. A high-line here. The Spaniards can well pass the ball into the back of the net against this type of opponent if they so desire.
THE LINE: Spain +2 Goals
Initial Group Projection (7/1/22)
1) Spain
Final Group Projection (7/14/22)
(Straight Up Odds for Bookie)
2) Spain
Sunday, July 17th
Group C Final Kickoff @17:00 (Greenwich Mean)
A lot can still happen in what the bookie still considers the most intriguing group of the competition. With all the buzz about the Portuguese, talk of a Netherlands side struggling to find its unique style of play, and the underwhelming Swedes that consistently irk those of us who tapped them as favorites. Sorry, but the stomach bug floating around the Swiss camp isn't news to be.
There seems to be a disproportionate amount of heat on this man, particularly in the U.K. press. I suppose the "Boulevard Blätter of the Isle can't resist any chance to lay into an English head-coach. Dutch national team gaffer Mark Parsons is one such individual. Loads of tactical criticism despite all the injuries and absences he's had to deal with.
In the bookie's opinion, he's actually done more than a serviceable job organizing the defending champions amid all of these unexpected twists. After what I'll augur shall be a pretty convincing performance against the Swiss, all of that will be forgotten. Then they'll bow out in the knockouts.
Switzerland vs. Netherlands
vs.
Expecting a clinical performance from the Leuwinnen here. Nils Nielsen's Mädels are practically begging to be put out of their misery thanks to the way he has them set up. If I'm wrong about Lieke Martens hitting her stride for the third match running, then I'm wrong. You all know of your friendly bookie's infatuation with a player who may be sending us signals that she's past her prime.
The astute Swiss defending of Nielsen's occasional back-right will likely frustrate the Oranje for a time. Eventually, it has to break down. Can't really envision it unfolding any other way. We'll set a comparatively high line as a means of issuing some confidence in this prognostication.
THE LINE: Netherlands +2 Goals
Sweden vs. Portugal
vs.
Everyone's hoping that we get at least one sensation exiting the group stages in this tournament. Oh how nice it would be if Francisco Neto's girls could supply it. This Selecao can really ripple once they get warmed up. A shame that it invariably takes a two goal deficit before they begin to do so.
Tune in to see the super-slick skills from Jessica and Diana Silva. This will in all likelihood be your last cache to see them for quite some time. Neto's attack possesses plenty of pop. His defense remains far too leaky for the talent the Swedes have up front.
No upset altert. Apologies.
THE LINE: Sweden +1 Goal
Initial Group Projection (7/2/22)
1) Sweden
3) Switzerland
4) Portugal
Final Group Projection (7/14/22)
(2 to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1) Sweden
3) Portugal
4) Switzerland
Saturday, July 18th
Group D Final Kickoff @20:00 (Greenwich Mean)
As the footballing Golds would have it, the most wide-open group happens to be the one the bookie has the least amount of time to think about. No worries. Your friend Vicey expects no favors from deities of any kind. Expect nothing from the uncaring void that is this this universe. Let's at least debut these Lines that we can roll later should new information come to light.
France's uninspiring one-foot-on-the gas pedal performance this evening lends some hope to those of us who wish to see at least one sentimental story come out of the initial phases of this tournament. The picture above should adequately convey which one so many are thinking off.
Not to say that anyone inherently dislikes the French, but few would have much sympathy for Corrine Diacre if the woman accused of being perpetually drunk on power left the FFF for good. Seeing as how that will happen if they fail to progress beyond the quarterfinals here, why can't it happen here and now?
Iceland vs. France
vs.
Because, the bookie must divulge, there's absolutely no way in hell that Iceland can beat the French in the air. The insane amount of on-target efforts from Wendie Renard this evening straddle the odds of what should reasonably be possible with random chance. It's like demanding 50 straight tails results from a series of coin flips.
She's pissed. Much as we all laud those Icelandic set-pieces, the advantage is nullified when squaring off against the giant. Even those delectable Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir long throws won't count for anything. This one is just too big a mismatch. A potential out for Katoto doesn't concern me either. Melvine
Geyoro or Cascarino can move into the center position of Diacre doesn't want to roll with Melvine Malard of Sandy Baltimore. Sarr could also conceivably have a better game with a few more training sessions behind her. After a brave effort, the "Ice-dottirs" will fall. Bookie hope to be wrong. We shall see.
THE LINE: France +2 Goals
Italy vs. Belgium
vs.
A pity that an totally idiotic late handball decision led to Amber Tysiak getting suspended for the final match and the effective end of Belgian's tournament. It didn't prove an unenjoyable experience watching then Red Flames in action for the first time at a major tournament at all; at least not for this observer.
When it comes to figuring out how they can possibly hope to top an Italian side that, despite it's many issues, now has a clear path forward in terms of personnel and tactics....yeah....bookie doesn't see it happening. Straining to recall now if they Belgium even showed me much of anything in the first place.
Thinking. Still thinking. Nope.
THE LINE: Italy +2 Goals
Initial Group Projection (7/4/22)
1) France
2) Italy
3) Iceland
4) Belgium
Final Group Projection (7/14/22)
(2 to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1) France
2) Italy
3) Iceland
4) Belgium
GENTLEMEN, ENTER YOUR WAGERS
