Defending Champions Netherlands Women begin their Women's Euro 2022 campaign on Saturday when they face Sweden Women at Bramall Lane.

The Netherlands are looking to retain the title that they won on home turf five years ago, while Sweden are aiming to win the European Championships for the first time since 1984.

Match preview

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The Netherlands clinched their first major trophy in Euro 2017, which was made even more memorable by the fact that the tournament was played on home soil.

They followed their European Championship victory by enjoying another successful tournament at the 2019 World Cup, which saw the Netherlands make it all the way to the final before losing 2-0 to the United States.

However, the defending champions enter Euro 2022 in the midst of a new era after Sarina Wiegman left her role as head coach last year to take over as England manager.

Wiegman's successor Mark Parsons has had just under a year to prepare his Netherlands side for the upcoming Euros, but his team can take confidence from a run of four wins in their last five matches.

They will also be encouraged by the fact that they are unbeaten in their previous four meetings with Sweden.

While their opponents won the most recent edition of the European Championships, Sweden have not lifted the trophy since the inaugural tournament in 1984.

However, they enter Euro 2022 as the highest-ranked European side, which suggests that Sweden harbour realistic hopes of winning the tournament for the second time in their history.

Before they can begin thinking about clinching the silverware, Peter Gerhardsson's side must negotiate a group that contains the Netherlands, Switzerland and Portugal.

They will certainly be confident of reaching the knockout rounds, having avoided defeat in their last 12 matches, with their only warm-up game ahead of the tournament resulting in a 3-1 victory against Brazil.

After losing to Canada in the final of the Olympics last year, Sweden will be hoping to go one step further at Euro 2022, and they will be determined to begin their campaign with a win over the current European champions.

Team News

The Netherlands will utilise a back four, which is expected to contain Lynn Wilms, Stefanie van der Gragt, Aniek Nouwen and Dominique Janssen.

Sherida Spitse is the record appearance holder for her country, and the 32-year-old is set to feature in midfield.

Meanwhile, no player in history has scored more goals for the Netherlands than Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema who will lead the line on Saturday.

As for Sweden, Amanda Ilestedt is expected to partner with Magdalena Eriksson in central defence, with Hanna Glas and Jonna Andersson operating as full-backs.

Stina Blackstenius has struggled with injury in the build-up to the tournament, and may not be risked in the group opener.

One of AC Milan's latest recruits Kosovare Asllani is set to feature on Saturday, while Barcelona's Fridolina Rolfo will be one of Sweden's key players throughout the tournament.

Netherlands Women possible starting lineup:
Van Veenendaal; Wilms, Van der Gragt, Nouwen, Janssen; Groenen, Van de Donk, Spitse; Roord, Martens, Miedema

Sweden Women possible starting lineup:
Lindahl; Glas, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldal, Bjorn, Asllani; Jakobsson, Rolfo, Hurtig

We say: Netherlands Women 1-1 Sweden Women

Both countries will harbour hopes of going deep into the tournament and with the opening match representing the toughest group game on paper for either side, we think that the two nations will be content with sharing the spoils.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Ben Sully

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