Six Netherlands and Sweden stars to watch at the Euros including WSL aces Miedema and Eriksson

SWEDEN kick off their quest to reach a European Championship final for the first time since the tournament began in 1984.

They face a Netherlands side bidding to win the contest for the second successive time following their 2017 triumph.

Sweden hope to reach the Women’s Euros final for the first time in almost 40 years.Credit: Getty

The Bramall Lane clash, to be aired live on BBC One at 8:00 pm, is the second of two Group C openers with Portugal drawing 2-2 with Switzerland.

Sweden – beaten finalists at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics in 2016 and last August – will be hoping to claim their first major tournament win in 38 years.

But they will be up against a Dutch side featuring an array of attacking talent.

Here is a look at six stars likely to play a big part for the teams in this year’s Euros.

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Netherlands

Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal) – Forward

The Arsenal hotshot, 25, is currently her national team’s record goal scorer.

The forward made history in June 2019 when she became her nation’s all-time top markswoman with a tally of 60 goals after netting a brace against Cameroon.

And Miedema helped her national team to their first-ever major trophy win five years ago.

Miedema is Netherlands Women’s all-time leading goal scorerCredit: Getty

She was on the scoresheet when her team, then coached by Sarina Wiegman, dispatched Denmark 4-2 to win the 2017 Euros.

In March the Gunners star made history again when she became the first player to notch up 100 WSL goal contributions.

Lieke Martens (Paris Saint-Germain) – Winger

Martens finished the 2017 Euros as the contest’s third-highest scorer behind compatriot Miedema and Golden Boot winner Jodie Taylor.

Martens impressed with her displays during the 2017 EurosCredit: Getty

Back then the forward, 29, won a Player of the Tournament gong for her impressive displays in attack.

The former Barcelona star has earned plaudits for her flair and trickery on the wing.

She was among the aces who impressed during the club’s 4-0 Champions League final defeat of Chelsea last year.

Since her 2011 international debut, Martens has notched up 55 goals in 136 appearances.

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Jackie Groenen (Manchester United) – Midfielder

The Manchester United fan favourite, 27, was her national team’s player of the match when they beat Sweden in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals.

Her 99th-minute goal sealed the Netherlands’ spot in the finals against the United States.

Her defensive and attacking versatility in a holding role proved effective during her club’s push for a top-three finish in the 2020-21 season

Groenen has made more than 80 senior international appearancesCredit: Getty

Back then United were narrowly beaten to third place by just a point.

For her national side, Groenen has scored nine goals and been capped 87 times since making her senior debut.

Sweden

Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal) – Striker

Blackstenius, 26, enjoyed a positive start to her Arsenal career after joining the club in January from Swedish side BK Hacken.

Before her Gunners switch, the striker was one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards, attracting interest from sides including Manchester United.

Blackstenius helped Sweden to a silver medal win at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021Credit: Getty

Blackstenius has developed a productive partnership with club pals Miedema and Beth Mead netting six goals in 11 WSL appearances.

Last summer she helped Sweden to a silver medal win at the Tokyo Olympics.

The forward netted five goals for the team who battled for gold before losing to Canada on penalties

Goals included a brace against the USA in the tournament’s group stages.

Magda Eriksson was included Fifa’s best world 11 line-up last yearCredit: Getty

Magda Eriksson (Chelsea) – Centre-back

Chelsea skipper Eriksson, 28, who joined the Blues in 2017, is considered among the best defenders in the world.

At club level, the Sweden international had a pass completion rate of 83% for Emma Hayes’ side last season.

Since joining Chelsea, Eriksson has won nine major trophies with the club.

The defender featured in Fifa’s World XI last year and has made 84 appearances for her nation, currently ranked second best side in the world.

She also helped Sweden to a bronze medal win at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France when they beat England 2-1.

Her international honours include two silver medal wins at the Rio and Tokyo Olympic games in 2016 and 2021.

Kosovare Asllani (AC Milan) – Midfielder

Asllani, 32, notched up 19 goals in 46 appearances during a two-year Real Madrid spell from 2020 to this year.

At the Tokyo Olympics, the Sweden star, who sealed an AC Milan switch this summer, formed a formidable midfield partnership with skipper Caroline Seger and Filippa Angeldal.

Asllani has made more than 160 senior international appearances for SwedenCredit: Getty

Asllani scored the winner in Sweden’s last victory against the Netherlands, a 2-1 friendly win in Canada ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

The midfielder has netted 43 goals in 161 international appearances.

She is also Sweden’s third most-capped player after Seger and goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk