Germany boss Martina Voss-Tecklenburg admitted she was pleased to have set up an “easier” quarter-final after her side’s victory over Spain ensured they will avoid a crunch meeting with England in the last-eight of the Women’s European Championship.
The eight-times champions arrived at this summer’s championships with some doubts over their credentials but backed up their opening 4-0 victory by beating pre-tournament favourites Spain in a terrific encounter at the Brentford Community Stadium last night.
Goals from Klara Buhl and Alexandra Popp earned a 2-0 win, which came 24 hours after England’s statement 8-0 hammering of Norway.
Both sides are now guaranteed to finish top of their respective groups, meaning they cannot meet until the final at Wembley on July 31. England will face either Spain or Denmark in the quarter-finals, while Germany will meet Norway or Austria as Euro 2022 heats up.
“We won’t make the mistake of letting things slide. We would do well not to think about the quarter-finals just yet,” said Voss-Tecklenburg.
“You wouldn’t think it would be easier against Norway than against England. We do well to be humble and take the next step.”
Meanwhile, Netherlands star Vivianne Miedema will miss this evening’s Group C clash with Portugal after testing positive for Covid in the latest blow to the Dutch, who are already without midfielder Jackie Groenen for the same reason.
Group C is the most finely poised of the four, after both opening matches ended in draws.
