France, Belgium and Iceland have all qualified for the EURO
Best second-placed spots still up for grabs
Ukraine, Russia and Northern Ireland through to the play-offs
While another three spots have been secured at the UEFA Women's EURO 2022, a few other countries will have to wait a while longer before they can start making their summer travel plans.
One such example is Group D, where the crucial qualifier between Spain and Poland had to be postponed. Group E is another that is still in the balance: Finland and Portugal occupy the box seats with 16 points apiece, the former defeating Scotland 1-0 for the second time in the group stages, the latter also beating the Scots 1-0 and doing likewise against Albania. Top spot will be decided when the two countries face off early next year.
Italy, Austria and Switzerland will also have to wait until 2021 to find out whether they will get direct access to the EURO as one of the three best second-placed teams, or if they will have to take their chances via the play-offs.
The last qualifying matches are set to be played in February 2021.
Through to the final phase
Three more countries booked their places at the EURO, namely France, Belgium and Iceland. The hosts of the most recent FIFA Women’s World Cup™ wrapped up qualification on Friday with a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria. Goals from Wendie Renard and a brace from Marie-Antoinette Katoto secured the three points for the seven-time EURO participants. Then to round off the group phase with a bang, coach Corinne Diacre’s side inflicted a 12-0 defeat on Kazakhstan.
The Red Flames had gone neck-and-neck in Group H with Switzerland, with top spot only being decided on the final matchday. The Belgians made the most of home advantage at the Den Dreef Stadion to see off the visitors 4-0, with goals from Tine De Caigny (2), Tessa Wullaert and Janice Cayman.
Results on 1 December were enough to confirm that Iceland will be one of the three best group runners-up, taking them through to the 2022 tournament in England. Wins over Slovakia (3-1) and Hungary (1-0) sealed the deal and booked them a spot at the EURO for the fourth time in their history.
Still in the running
A resounding 7-0 win over Moldova saw Czech Republic take over second place in Group D. They are now within touching distance of the play-offs and will secure their place if Poland fail to win against Spain. Ukraine are already into the play-offs courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Montenegro and the Republic of Ireland’s 3-1 loss to Germany.
They will get their chance to grab one of the remaining qualifying spots in April 2021, as is the case for Northern Ireland. Kenneth Shiels’ side’s 5-1 win over Faroe Islands put them into the play-offs, with a first-ever EURO appearance firmly in their sights.
Malta make history
What they said
"I’m incredibly proud of the team for managing to bring home the three points today, even though we didn’t put in our best performance and really didn’t look that good out there. Those are the types of games you have to win. Now it’s out of our hands – we’ll have to wait and see what happens in the other groups." Austria coach Irene Fuhrmann
"When the national anthems were played, I got goosebumps. After that though, I was fully focused. I put my emotions to one side and got my game-face on." Ann-Katrin Berger on her debut for Germany