Vivianne Miedema has been ruled out for the Netherlands’ second Euro group game against Portugal after testing positive for Covid, with Switzerland juggling an outbreak of illness ahead of their game against Sweden.
Sweden vs Switzerland: How will stomach ailments affect the Swiss?
Switzerland enter their second group match as their side have been plagued by a stomach ache for the past few days. They had to cancel training on Monday with eight players absent due to illness.
The Swiss should be able to field a team against Sweden on Wednesday night, but head coach Nils Nielsen and his team will have to manage their players.
Talk to UEFA.comhe said: “Some of them aren’t feeling well yet, so it’s very doubtful. But others haven’t been hit so badly that they might be ready for tomorrow.”
“It’s not an ideal situation at all but we always prepare as best we can and make sure the girls have every chance to prepare theoretically. And then we have to see how much power we have in the legs to run it.
“With all these things, of course, it becomes more difficult, but it’s not impossible. If we can put 11 players on the pitch, we can always beat them. It’s just that the chances of beating them decrease everything. time if things are not going well does not start our way.
“If you’ve been really sick and haven’t been able to eat at all, you might not feel ready for this game. We can’t know for sure yet. Fingers crossed.”
Ramona Bachmann also gave insight into how Switzerland prepared while trying to contain an outbreak.
“Especially inside, [she has been] in my room,” she added. UEFA.com. “We were isolated from each other, we weren’t allowed to train, we weren’t allowed to eat together either, so we were served food in our rooms.
“It was a bit boring to be honest. But that’s what you have to do to make sure you don’t spread it.
“[Switzerland prepared] especially with videos, since we weren’t allowed to leave the room. So we had video calls and we went through the videos like we usually do.”
Netherlands vs Portugal: Miedema absent with the Covid
Dutch striker Miedema has tested positive for Covid and self-isolated ahead of their second European Championship group game against Portugal.
Miedema led the Netherlands to the title after scoring four goals in the 2017 edition, including a brace in the final. The 25-year-old has scored 94 goals in 112 international appearances.
“Vivianne Miedema has unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19 and will therefore go into self-isolation in the coming days,” the Dutch team announced on Tuesday. “When she has no more symptoms and the tests are negative, she can join the team.”
It’s another absence headache for Mark Parsons and the Netherlands, who are already without goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal for the rest of the Euros with a shoulder injury.
Daphne van Domselaar, 20, is expected to take her place as the Netherlands aim for their first victory in their title defense, entering the match as heavy favorites.
Head coach Parsons said: “They’re going to be ready, they’re going to be very tough.
“Since I’ve been here, we’ve played World Cup qualifying several times when you said, ‘OK, the Netherlands should be favourites.’ Women’s football continues to rise and you have to respect everyone, you have to be very focused and connected.
“No complacency, we must be at our best at all times.”
Despite being considered the underdog, Portugal are on a five-game unbeaten run and showed superb determination to recover from a 2-0 draw to take a point against Switzerland.
Head coach Francisco Neto said: “We have to start focusing on our job. At this level mistakes will be punished.
“Against experienced teams, used to these games, with players with enormous talent, we have to be fully focused and try to negate the attacking talents of the Netherlands.
“There’s only one way to do it: get the ball and keep it. That’s our mission. We’ve been punching above our weight for years. We need to be more united, better organized defensively and avoid losing the ball when we have that.”
Follow Euro 2022 on Sky Sports
Catch up on all the latest Euro 2022 news on Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.
Coverage will be anchored by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will provide analysis throughout the tournament.
They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.
Pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women’s Euro 2022 mobile presentation bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where the matches are taking place.
Additionally, Sky Sports’ Essential Football Podcast will be rebranded for the Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast Tournament from June 21. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews in addition to a solid tournament programme.
Euro 2022: The groups…
Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland
Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
Euro 2022: The schedule…
Group stage
Wednesday July 6
Group A: England 1-0 Austria
Thursday July 7
Group A: Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland
Friday July 8
Group B: Spain 4-1 Finland
Group B: Germany 4-0 Denmark
Saturday July 9
Group C: Portugal 2-2 Switzerland
Group C: Netherlands 1-1 Sweden
Sunday July 10
Group D: Belgium 1-1 Iceland
Group D: France 5-1 Italy
Monday July 11
Group A: Austria 2-0 Northern Ireland
Group A: England 8-0 Norway
tuesday july 12
Group B: Denmark 1-0 Finland
Group B: Germany v Spain – Kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Wednesday July 13
Group C: Sweden v Switzerland – kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Netherlands-Portugal – kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Thursday July 14
Group D: Italy v Iceland – Kick off 5.00pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Belgium – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
friday july 15
Group A: Northern Ireland v England – kick off 8pm St Mary’s
Group A: Austria v Norway – Kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Saturday July 16
Group B: Finland vs Germany – Kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Denmark v Spain – Kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Sunday July 17
Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands – kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Sweden v Portugal – kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Monday July 18
Group D: Iceland vs France – Kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
Group D: Italy v Belgium – Kick off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Knockout stage
Quarter-finals
Wednesday July 20
Quarter-final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Thursday July 21
Quarter-Final 2: Group B Winners v Group A Runners-up 8pm, London Community Stadium
friday july 22
Quarter-final 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D – kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Quarter-Final 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
Semi-finals
tuesday july 26
Semi-final 1: Winner quarter-final 1 v Winner quarter-final 3 – kick-off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Wednesday July 27
Semi-Final 2: Winner Quarter-Final 2 v Winner Quarter-Final 4 – Kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Final
Sunday July 31
Winners Semi-Final 1 v Winners Semi-Final 2 – Kick-off 5pm, Wembley