The last UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 qualifying group stage games are beiong played and on Thursday, Sweden joined the seven teams previously confirmed of places in the Netherlands with seven to join them by Tuesday and two more to be confirmed in October’s play-off. We explains who needs what to book qualification regardless of results in other groups.
Qualified: Netherlands (hosts), Germany (holders), England, France, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Confirmed at least play-off: Iceland, Scotland, Romania, Denmark, Russia, Belgium, Austria
Can still qualify: Finland, Portugal, Italy, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland
• The last qualifying group stage games run from Thursday to next Tuesday.
• The eight group winners and 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
It is looking good for both Iceland and Scotland. Leaders Iceland, with six wins, will qualify at least as a best runners-up with a home draw against Slovenia on Friday. Even if they lose, a draw would be enough next Tuesday at home to Scotland, who would also qualify for the first time with a point.
©Vijesti
Can Finland join Spain?
Group 2
Spain have qualified, winning the group by beating Montenegro 13-0 on Thursday. Finland are also assured of a top two place. Finland would qualify automatically with victories in Portugal and Spain.
Group 3
France, already qualified, face Brazil in a friendly and Albania in their last group match under their new coach Olivier Echouafni, appointed last week. Romania have clinched at least a first-ever play-off thanks to a 2-1 victory against Ukraine on Thursday. Romania welcome Greece on Tuesday hoping a win could give them a chance of automatic qualification.
©Boris Kharchenko
Sweden are in the finals
Group 4
Sweden, fresh from claiming Olympic silver, clinched their finals place on Thursday by beating Slovakia 2-1 to win the group with seven perfect wins. Fellow 2013 semi-finalists Denmark will finish second and know victory against Sweden next Tuesday would definitely mean avoiding the play-offs.
Group 5
Holders and Olympic gold-medallists Germany have qualified and go to Russia and Hungary in their first outings under new coach Steffi Jones. Russia will come second but if they beat Germany and Croatia will qualify automatically.
©Pavel Jiřík
Italy and the Czech Republic meet in a crucial game
Group 6
Switzerland have qualified for the first time but three teams are battling for second spot. Italy face the sides that can overtake them – Czech Republic and Northern Ireland – knowing two draws guarantees second place and a pair of wins might be enough for automatic qualification, depending on results in other groups. The Czechs must overcome Italy and hope the Azzurre slip up in Northern Ireland to get second position. Northern Ireland must beat Italy by better than 3-1, also defeat Switzerland and hope the Azzurre draw with the Czechs.
Group 7
England have qualified and Belgium are also certain of a top-two finish. Belgium beat Serbia on Thursday and even if they have not already qualified on Tuesday will clinch a finals debut by beating England.
Group 8
Two-time champions Norway have qualified as group winners and Austria will finish second. Austria will qualify for the first time if they prevail in Wales next Tuesday.
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