UEFA Women's EURO: France hope to make history while Germany seek redemption

Topics: TV Listings, TV Schedules, 2022 UEFA Women's EURO

A heavyweight clash is on the cards as Germany and France prepare to do battle for a coveted spot in the UEFA Women's EURO finals on July 27th.

Preview: Germany vs France

With eight titles, no team have been as successful in the Women's EUROs as Germany. As expected, die Nationalelf earned a 2-0 win over Austria in the quarter-finals to book their spot at this juncture, where they will face a France side who are in the semi-finals for the first time in their history. Still, Germany did have to work a lot harder than many had anticipated to put the game to bed, and that may give their opponents hope.

Meanwhile, Les Bleues needed extra time to dispatch reigning champs the Netherlands, with Eve Perisset netting a penalty to eventually settle the tie in France's favor and earn Corinne Diacre's side a historic spot.

Germany, naturally, with their eight titles are the obvious favorites, but they still will be feeling the pressure. Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's side were dumped out in the quarter-finals five years ago in a shocking exit for the heavyweights, and as such, they will be keen on proving that even the top sides can occasionally have an off day at a tournament. That is especially considering they also made a quarter-finals exit during the recent Women's World Cup in 2019. So far, Germany remain the only side yet to concede, with their 2-0 win over Austria making it four wins at this tournament sans conceding a goal, but that really could come under threat as France recorded a whopping 33 attempts on goal during their recent clash against the Netherlands.

France, meanwhile, will be keen on revenge in what will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides since the 2015 World Cup. Seven years ago, Les Bleues managed to hold die Nationalelf to a one-all draw, but were narrowly edged out 5-4 on spot-kicks after 30 grueling minutes of extra time. They will be encouraged by their recent form, which has seen France win two of the last three encounters after picking up just one victory in their previous nine.

Whoever wins this match will take on England in what should be a highly entertaining final on Sunday, July 31st at Wembley. Will it be serial winners Germany? Or will France be able to go one step further and book their spot in the finals for the first time?

Team news: Germany vs France

Germany: Klara Buehl is set to miss out due to a positive COVID-19 test; otherwise, Germany will have everyone available.

France: No injury, illness, or suspension worries for France ahead of this game.

Match facts: Germany vs France

France are into the semi-finals for the first time in their history
Meanwhile, Germany are featuring for the 10th time
Die Nationalelf have won eight out of the 12 EURO competitions played so far
France have won two of their last three meetings with Germany, including a June 2021 friendly victory (1-0)
Prior to this, Les Bleues had won just one of their last nine (D4 L4)
Die Nationalelf are unbeaten in all four major tournament matches against Les Bleues (W3 D1)
Germany's record in their nine last-four ties is W8 L1
They have also won 16 of their last 17 EURO knockout round matches...
...with the only loss being a 2-1 defeat to Denmark in the quarter-finals back in 2017
France have won 17 of their last 18 matches (D1) across all comps