In wait for the semi finals

Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland has reached the semi final stage. The first semi final will be played tomorrow sunday and the other on monday.

In wait for the games here is something about the expectations.

Sunday:

England-Netherlands

England and Netherlands will be up against each other in Tampere. I still haven´t seen Netherlands in action in the tournament, but their results have been encouraging and they have shown some mental strength. This especially goes for the quarter final where they defeated France in a penalty shoot out. This is their first appearnace in the Women´s Euro, so as a debutant one has to say they have done splendidly.

Of the teams left in the tournament England is the team that has shown most aggressivity and winners instinct. This took them through the group stage despite a difficult beginning and it took them past Finland in the quarter final. Can they keep this up also in the semi final?

Probably England as the more experienced team can be seen as slightly favourites, but it is really an open game.

Monday:

Germany-Norway

This game will be played at Helsinki Football Stadium. Germany is the only team that has won all of their games so far in the tournament. In the first group stage these two teams were up against each other and then Germany won 4-0, but with three of the goals coming in the dying moments of the game.

Germany, of course, are the favourites. Especially there midfield has been very strong so far, and this has given their defense some kind of a quiet being. This part of the team is still to be tested. There has been some signs of insecurity at the back. Upfront they have got Inka Grings finishing off her chances with good efficiency.

Norway has all since that first game been an underdog. They were under real pressure for some moments against France, and most experts saw Sweden as the favourite in the quarter final. But Norway stood up well and showed their critics what they are able to. The question is if they used all their energy against their Nordic neighbours or if they can find the strength to also put pressure on and even surprise Germany.