For the ÖFB women it is the second European Championship participation after 2017 in the Netherlands, which ended with the sensational entry into the semifinals and a defeat in the penalty shootout against Denmark. Five years later, Fuhrmann and her team can look forward to a highlight right from the start. The ÖFB team will play the opening game against England on July 6th at Manchester’s Old Trafford. The EM will be held in nine English cities from July 6th to 31st.
“It is a great honor for us to be able to open Euro 2022 in the motherland of football against such a unique backdrop. On the one hand this is historical and an absolute highlight, on the other hand it is a huge challenge to play against the hosts and tournament favorites England, ”said Fuhrmann, who was present at the draw in Manchester.
Their players were also enthusiastic about the opening match. “To play the opening game of a European Championship at Old Trafford in front of a possibly 75,000 spectators is the dream of every player,” said team captain Viktoria Schnaderbeck. “That’s really cool. We are already really looking forward to it and can be satisfied with the lot. We are facing a mega-tournament, ”said Bayern Munich legionnaire Carina Wenninger.
“Outstanding performance” asked for in all games
After the opening game, the ÖFB women will play their other group games in Brighton & Hove and Southampton. In the second game, the Austrians will meet Northern Ireland on July 11th. “It is certainly a special situation that Northern Ireland was drawn as another opponent that we know from qualifying for the World Cup. But it can also have advantages in preparation. We saw last Tuesday that Northern Ireland is definitely not to be underestimated, ”said Fuhrmann.
The last group game against Norway will take place on July 15th. The ÖFB women have never been able to win against the Scandinavians. “With Norway we have caught an opponent who has consistently been among the best in the world for decades. We are definitely the ‘underdog’ in this game. In order to be able to surprise and survive the group stage, we have to be physically in top shape and we need an outstanding performance in all three games. ”Schnaderbeck also sees England and Norway as group favorites. The captain also hopes for the necessary luck.
Draw for the EM 2022
Group A: England (hosts), Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland
Group B: Germany, Spain, Denmark, Finland
Group C: Netherlands (defending champions), Sweden, Switzerland, Russia
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
