With the 2022 World Cup in Qatar set to take place in the winter months due to the extremely hot climate of the Middle East, the Women’s Euros will centre stage in the footballing world this summer.
Set to be held by England for the first time since the 2005 edition of the tournament, when Germany won the fourth of their six successive titles, the Women’s Euros will get underway on July 6th, with England taking on Austria at Old Trafford, before the final takes place at Wembley on July 31st.
Anticipation is already rife in the host nation ahead of the 13th renewal of the Women’s Euros, with all three of the Lionesses’ group games against Austria, Norway (St Mary’s) and Northern Ireland (Community Stadium, Brighton) sold out, as well as the showpiece match at Wembley!
It’s certainly an exciting time for the sport, with women’s football growing tenfold in the 17 years or so since England last hosted the tournament. So, for those looking to bet on football this summer, read on as we take a look at the favourites to win the Women’s Euros 2022.
Spain – 5/2
Amazingly, for a nation with a love for football like Spain, their women’s national team are yet to win the Euros — or even make the final of the competition for that matter. That could be all about to change this year though, as La Roja are the short-priced favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley come the end of May.
Spain made their Women’s Euros debut in 1997, losing to Italy in the semi-finals and they have never even reached the last four since. In fact, they have progressed to the knockout stages on just two more occasions, exiting in the quarter-finals to Austria (2017) and Norway (2013).
Ranked seventh in the world, Jorge Vilda’s side look to be in great shape after going unbeaten in qualifying — topping Group D with seven wins and a single draw, including a 19-0 aggregate victory over Moldova and a huge 13-0 win over Azerbaijan in Baku. Certainly, a team to be feared, but they do face world no.4 Germany in Group B.
Netherlands – 7/2
Up next in the Women’s Euros 2022 odds are the Netherlands, who are also the defending champions after being spurred on by a home crowd to the lift the trophy for the first time in 2017 — beating Denmark 4-2 in a thrilling game at FC Twente’s De Grolsch Veste.
The Oranje debuted at the tournament in 2009, making it to the last four before England put paid to their hopes of making it to the final with a 2-1 win, and they were disappointing four years later — finishing bottom of Group B without a win. They were somewhat surprise champions last time out, winning from odds of 12/1.
Having won all 10 of their qualifiers to book their place in this year’s tournament with no real cause for concern, there certainly wouldn’t be any upsets on the cards in England should they defend their title. The Netherlands, ranked fifth by FIFA, do have world no.2 Sweden to contend with for the top spot in Group C though.
England – 5/1
Hoping that the home crowd can cheer them to glory this year, England are the third favourites at 5/1. The Lionesses have never won the Women’s Euros, nor a major title for that matter, and they may just see this as the perfect opportunity to end that wait for silverware.
This year’s hosts have reached the final on two occasions, with penalties needed to decide the outcome in 1984 after there was nothing to separate them and Sweden after two legs, while the unstoppable Germany thrashed them 6-2 in Finland in 2009 — lifting the title for a fifth successive year.
Now managed by Sarina Wiegman, who won the 2017 tournament with the Netherlands and guided the Oranje through qualifying for this year’s edition. England didn’t need to qualify due to hosting duties, but they have been kept fresh with friendlies and World Cup qualifiers and will be more than up to the task.
Norway, ranked 11th in the world, pose the Lionesses their biggest threat in Group A — with Austria (21st) and debutants Northern Ireland (46th) making up the rest of the group.