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Our Game Magazine (ISSN 2328-093X) is published four times a year by Our Game LLC. All content (unless otherwise noted) is Copyright ©2017 Our Game LLC. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. UEFA Women’s Euro 2017

The UEFA European Women’s Championship is currently held every four years between countries represented by the UEFA continental confederation. The first three finals competitions (1984, 1987, 1989) were known as the UEFA European Competition for Representative Women’s Teams. After the 1989 tournament, the competition was given status as the European Championship and given the name it holds today. In 1991 and 1995, the competition was used as the European qualifying tournament for the World Cup. The competition has expanded since its beginnings in 1984 as a four-team tournament and biennial event. In 1997, eight teams competed and the competition thereafter became a quadrennial event. The tournament again expanded in 2009 to 12 teams and in 2017 was expanded to 16 teams.

4 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM QUALIFICATION UEFA The Euro 2017 tournament is European the culmination of a years-long Women’s competition that features a preliminary round, qualifying group Championship stage, and playoffs.

2013: 1-0 Qualification for the finals tournament 2009: Germany 6-2 begins with a preliminary round in 2005: Germany 3-1 Norway 2001: Germany 1-0 (aet) which lower-ranked national teams 1997: Germany 2-0 compete in mini-tournaments. The 1995: Germany 3-2 Sweden winners progress to a qualifying 1993: Norway 1-0 Italy group stage and joined by the 38 1991: Germany 3-1 Norway (aet) highest-ranked national teams to compete in eight groups of five sides. From there, the group winners and six best runners-up advance to the finals tournament along with the UEFA host country. A playoff for the final European spot is held between the next best Competition for runners-up. Representative PAST WINNERS Women’s Teams Germany has dominated the tournament, winning eight of the 1989: West Germany 4-1 Norway nine competitions, including the last 1987: Norway 2-1 Sweden 1984: Sweden 1-1 England; a six competitions. home-and-home series and Sweden won, 4-3, on penalties Prior to 1991, the competition was in the final leg. known as the UEFA European Competition.

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 5 UEFA Women’s Euro 2017

FORMAT The group stage consists of 16 teams in four groups playing in a round-robin format. The group winner and runner-up will advance to the quarterfinal stage. In the event teams tie on points, the following tiebreakers will be used to determine which team advances: points goal differential in head-to-head matches goals scored in head-to-head matches goal differential through all group matches goals scored through all group matches disciplinary points (reds = 3 points; yellows = 1 point; two yellows in one match = 3 points) UEFA coefficient for the final draw. Penalty shootouts will determine which team advances if both teams meet in the last round of the group stage and are tied on the above tiebreaker criteria. 6 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM # Euros in Numbers

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 7 GroupGroup StageStage

NETHERLANDS ITALY VS VS DENMARK NORWAY GERMANY RUSSIA VS VS BELGIUM SWEDEN

AUSTRIA VS VS ENGLAND VS VS ICELAND

8 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM NORWAY SWEDEN VS VS BELGIUM GERMANY RUSSIA VS VS DENMARK ITALY

ICELAND SCOTLAND VS VS FRANCE SWITZERLAND ENGLAND PORTUGAL VS VS AUSTRIA SPAIN

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 9 GroupGroup StageStage

NORWAY SWEDEN VS VS BELGIUM DENMARK RUSSIA ITALY VS VS NETHERLANDS GERMANY

ICELAND SCOTLAND VS VS SWITZERLAND AUSTRIA PORTUGAL SPAIN VS VS FRANCE ENGLAND

10 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM QuarterfinalsQuarterfinals

QF1 WINNER B VS RUNNER-UP A WINNER A VS RUNNER-UP B

QF2 QF3 WINNER D VS RUNNER-UP C WINNER C VS RUNNER-UP D

QF4 EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 11 Semifinals AUG 3

WINNER QF1 VS WINNER QF4

WINNER QF2 VS WINNER QF3

12 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Final AUG 6 WINNER SF1 VS WINNER SF2

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 13 14 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM A

Netherlands Norway Denmark Belgium Group Stage Featuring three teams ranked in Predictions FIFA’s top 20, this is probably the most evenly matched group. Points 1. Norway will be at a premium so expect a tight group stage. Group A boasts 2. Netherlands formidable strikers with the likes of , , 3. Denmark Pernille Harder, , and 4. Belgium .

—Brandi Ortega

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 15 Netherlands

IQRemix from Canada; FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 - ; CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 16 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Angela Christ (PSV/FC Eindhoven) ( Saint-Germain) Current FIFA (Arsenal LFC)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 12

Mandy van den Berg (c) (Reading FC) Sheila van den Bulk (Djurgårdens IF) (Achilles ‘29) (AFC Ajax) Group Stage (Arsenal LFC) (AFC Ajax) Matches (AFC Ajax) JULY 16 vs. Norway (Montpellier Hérault SC) in Utrecht Daniëlle van de Donk (Arsenal LFC) Sisca Folkertsma (AFC Ajax) (1. FFC ) JULY 20 (PSV/FC Eindhoven) vs. Denmark (FC Bayern München) in (FC Twente) Kelly Zeeman (AFC Ajax) JULY 24 FORWARDS vs. Belgium in Tilburg (FC Bayern München) (FC Twente) (FC Rosengård) Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal LFC) (Liverpool LFC)

COACH

Sarina Wiegman

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 17 Make or Break Game Norway As hosts, the Netherlands open the tournament against a strong Norwegian side in a sold- Tournament History out match. The Netherlands made its first Euros tournament finals appearance in 2009 and advanced to the semifinals Player to Watch where the Oranje lost to England, Vivianne Miedema It’s 1-2. In the 2013 tournament, the easy to forget that Miedema is Netherlands finished at the only 20 years old given her first bottom of Group B and failed to cap came in 2013. Since then, advance out of the group stage. Miedema has found the back of the net for the Dutch 34 times, including scoring all three against Italy in a qualification playoff Road to Euro 2017 series to send the Netherlands to its first women’s World Cup in As hosts of the tournament, 2015. The Arsenal striker has an the Netherlands automatically excellent instinct for goal and if qualified for the finals when the she can find service early and country was chosen as hosts in often, will make life difficult for 2014. Since then, the Netherlands any back line. made it to the Round of 16 of the 2015 World Cup in Canada but lost to Japan, 1-2. More recently, the Oranje defeated Japan, 3-2, at the 2017 and finished fifth.

18 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Norway

G.Garitan, own work; CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 19 Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Ingrid Hjelmseth (Stabæk Fotball) Cecilie Hauståker Fiskerstrand (LSK Kvinner) Current FIFA Oda Maria Hove Bogstad (Klepp IL)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 11

Ingrid Moe Wold (LSK Kvinner) (Klepp IL) (FC Bayern München) Anja Sønstevold (LSK Kvinner) Group Stage Stine Pettersen Reinås (Stabæk Fotball) (Klepp IL) Matches Kristine Bjørdal Leine (Røa Fotball Elite) Elise Hove Thorsnes (Avaldsnes IL) Maren Nævdal Mjelde (Chelsea LFC) JULY 16

vs. Netherlands MIDFIELDERS in Utrecht

Ingvild Landvik Isaksen (Stabæk Fotball) Andrine Stolsmo Hegerberg (Birmingham City) JULY 20 Ingrid Marie Karlsen Spord (LSK Kvinner) vs. Belgium Ingrid Schjelderup (Eskilstuna) in Breda Frida Leonhardsen Maanum (Stabæk Fotball)

FORWARDS JULY 24 vs. Denmark (VfL Wolfsburg) in Deventer Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland (Røa Fotball Elite) () (LSK Kvinner) Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg () (Linköping FC)

COACH

Martin Sjögren

20 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Tournament History Norway enjoys a rich history Make or Break Game in European championship tourneys, qualifying for all but one Netherlands Norway must (1984) tournament and winning start off strong against the home it twice (1987 and 1993). The side and absorb early pressure worst finish for the squad came from a squad eager to give a in 1997 when the Grasshoppers sold-out crowd a good show. failed to make it out of the group Ada Hegerberg is the focal point stage. The four-time runners- in the attack for Norway and for up will be looking to reach the defenses, leaving opportunity championship match and erase for /striker Caroline the memory of a 0-1 loss to Graham Hansen to make her Germany in the 2013 tournament. mark. Should Hegerberg and Hansen find a rhythm, Norway will advance out of the group stage and be well prepped for a run through the knockout stages. Road to Euro 2017 Norway qualified for the Euro 2017 finals after finishing top of Group 8 with seven wins Player to Watch and a draw against Austria. An early powerhouse in women’s Ada Hegerberg The soccer in the 80s and 90s, Olympique Lyon striker has been Norway’s form declined in nothing short of brilliant for her the aughts but recent results club and will need to carry the against Sweden and England, load for a Norwegian team that and a fairly strong showing is lacking in the midfield with the against the , more exception of Hansen. than suggests a team capable of turning things around.

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 21 Denmark

Kw0 (Own work); CC0 via Wikimedia Commons 22 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Stina Lykke Petersen (Denmark KoldingQ) Maria Lindblad Christensen (Fortuna Hjørring) Current FIFA Line Geltzer Johansen (Vejle Boldklub)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 15

Line Røddik Hansen (FC ) (Linköpings FC) Simone Boye Sørensen (FC Rosengård) Theresa Nielsen (Vålerenga IF) Group Stage Mie Leth Jans ( City WFC) Cecilie Sandvej (1. FFC Frankfurt) Matches Stine Ballisager Pedersen (IK Skovbakken) Luna Gevitz (Fortuna Hjørring) JULY 16 MIDFIELDERS vs. Belgium in Doetinchem Maja Kildemoes (Linköpings FC) (Brøndby IF) Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen (FC Rosengård) JULY 20 (Montpellier Hérault SC) vs. Netherlands Sofie Junge Pedersen (FC Rosengård) in Rotterdam Frederikke Thøgersen (Fortuna Hjørring) Line Sigvardsen Jensen () JULY 24

FORWARDS vs. Norway in Deventer Nadia Nadim (Portland Thorns FC) Pernille Harder (c) (VfL Wolfsburg) Stine Larsen (Brøndby IF) Nicoline Sørensen (Brøndby IF) Sarah Dyrehauge Hansen (Fortuna Hjørring)

COACH

Nils Nielsen

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 23 Make or Break Game Belgium With group heavyweights Norway and Netherlands facing off in the Tournament History opening match, it’s imperative Denmark was a semifinalist in Denmark take full points against 1984 but then failed to qualify for Belgium. With three points in the the 1987 and 1989 tournaments. bank, Denmark positions itself The squad returned for two third- well for its next match, a do-or-die place finishes in 1991 and 1993 against the Netherlands, a match but again took a dip in results in which the Danes must take and was absent from the 1995 away at least one point if they tournament. Since then, the have any hopes of advancing to Danes have qualified for every the knockout stage. tournament, including a semifinal loss in penalties to France in 2013. Player to Watch Nadia Nadim Nadim has Road to Euro 2017 been a bright spot for her club, the Portland Thorns, with Denmark qualified after finishing four goals in eight starts but second in Group 4 of qualifying, was recently hampered by a recording six wins, a loss, and hamstring strain. Nadim brings a draw. The loss came at the energy every time she steps on hands of group winners Sweden the field and will most likely pair in a tight one-goal game and up with Pernille Harder, making the draw against third-place their partnership a tough one for finishers Poland. More recently, any team to defend. Denmark placed third at the 2017 Algarve Cup in a run that saw the Danes test Canada in a group- stage loss on a Christine Sinclair goal in the 90th minute.

24 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Belgium

StampMedia from Belgium; CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/2.0) via Wikimedia Commons EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 25 Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Nicky Evrard (AA Gent) Diede Lemey (RSC Anderlecht) Current FIFA Justien Odeurs (FF USV Jena)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 22

Imke Courtois (Standard Fémina de Liège) Maud Coutereels (LOSC Féminines) Laura Deloose (RSC Anderlecht) Laura De Neve (RSC Anderlecht) Group Stage (RSC Anderlecht) Nicky Van Den Abbeele (RSC Anderlecht) Matches Lorca Van De Putte (Kristianstads DFF) (c) (RSC Anderlecht) JULY 16 MIDFIELDERS vs. Denmark in Doetinchem (Standard Fémina de Liège) Kassandra Missipo (AA Gent) Lenie Onzia (FC Twente) JULY 20 Elien Van Wynendaele (AA Gent) vs. Norway (Montpellier Hérault SC) in Breda Jana Coryn (LOSC Féminines) Yana Daniels (RSC Anderlecht) (RSC Anderlecht) JULY 24

vs. Netherlands FORWARDS in Tilburg Davina Philtjens (AFC Ajax) (AA Gent) Davinia Vanmechelen (Standard Fémina de Liège) Tessa Wullaert (VfL Wolfsburg)

COACH

Ives Serneels

26 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Make or Break Game All of them, but Denmark. It’s tough to see Belgium Tournament History advancing out of the Belgium is making its group stage in this group first appearance in the stage. Defense is a weak European championships. link for Belgium and with a How significant is this? Very. group featuring the likes of Belgium has yet to qualify Hegeberg and Miedema, it for a Women’s World Cup or could be a long tournament Olympics. The squad has for their defense. started to improve of late, including a fifth-place finish in the 2016 Algarve Cup and Player to Watch a seventh-place finish in the 2017 Cyprus Cup. Tessa Wullaert Wullaert, along with Janice Cayman, will be expected to bear the scoring Road to Euro 2017 load for the Red Flames. Thrown in with England and Serbia in Group 7, Belgium won five games, enough for a runners-up placement and qualification for the final tournament. Their only loss came at the hands of England, a 0-2 affair that was closer than the Lionesses would have liked.

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 27 28 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Germany B Sweden Italy Russia B

The Germans have dominated the championships and, in theory, should advance out of the group in the top spot. Germany’s strongest challenger in the group is Sweden, a team capable of taking down any team but often fails to live up to its potential. Both teams will need to focus on the games at hand and not get caught looking too far ahead. Of the two, Sweden might be the more vulnerable but Russia and Italy don’t have the personnel to sustain a deep run in the tournament. The group kicks off with a rematch of the Group Stage Rio 2016 gold-medal match between Germany and Sweden. Predictions A 1-1 draw with England in April for 1. Germany Italy suggests the Azurre can cause problems for teams but a lack of 2. Sweden finishing power and the loss of playmaker to a broken leg 3. Italy earlier in the year will make it difficult 4. Russia to advance.

—Brandi Ortega

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 29 Germany

Caroline Charruyer 30 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Almuth Schult (VfL Wolfsburg) (SC Freiburg) Current FIFA Lisa Weiß (SGS Essen)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 2

Josephine Henning () (1. FFC Frankfurt) (FC Bayern München) (VfL Wolfsburg) Group Stage (FC Bayern München) (SC Freiburg) Matches Anna Blässe (VfL Wolfsburg) (VfL Wolfsburg) JULY 17 MIDFIELDERS vs. Sweden in Breda Lena Goeßling (VfL Wolfsburg) Dzsenifer Marozsán (c) (Olympique Lyonnais) Sara Däbritz (FC Bayern München) JULY 21 (SGS Essen) vs. Italy (SGS Essen) in Tilburg (SC Freiburg) (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) JULY 25

FORWARDS vs. Russia in Utrecht (1. FFC Frankfurt) (FC Rosengård) (SC Freiburg) (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) Hasret Kayikçi (SC Freiburg)

COACH

Steffi Jones

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 31 Make or Break Game Sweden The group stage starts off with a matchup between the favorites to advance. It’s crucial for Germany Tournament History to start strong, set the tempo, Germany’s Euro dominance and take maximum points from didn’t start out that way, with the Swedes. the country failing to qualify for the 1984 and 1987 versions of the tournament. Since its first appearance and championship Player to Watch in 1989, however, Germany has dominated the winner’s podium, Dzsenifer Marozsán except for a fourth-place finish Reinvigorated after moving to in 1993. France to join Olympique Lyon, Marozsán at her best propels the German attack, and a squad in transition under new head coach will Road to Euro 2017 look to the captain for a strong No real drama in qualifying for the performance and leadership. winners of Group 5. The squad Side note: Germany’s starting didn’t concede a goal through keeper, , can be, eight games and advanced with er, adventurous so she’ll need a goal differential of +35. to be focused and consistent for her side and not make careless errors.

32 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Sweden

Agência Brasília; CC BY 2.0 (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/2.0)] via Wikimedia Commons EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 33 Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Hedvig Lindahl (Chelsea LFC) Hilda Carlén (Piteå IF) Current FIFA (Eskilstuna United)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 9

Linda Sembrant (Montpellier Hérault SC) (Paris Saint-Germain) (VfL Wolfsburg) Magdalena Ericsson (Linköpings FC) Group Stage Jessica Samuelsson (Linköpings FC) (Eskilstuna United) Matches

MIDFIELDERS JULY 17

Jonna Andersson (Linköpings FC) vs. Germany (KIF Örebro DFF) in Breda (Manchester City) Julia Spetsmark (KIF Örebro DFF) (Piteå IF) JULY 21 (FC Rosengård) vs. Russia (c) (Olympique Lyonnais) in Deventer (Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC)

FORWARDS JULY 25 vs. Italy (FC Rosengård) in Doetinchem (Montpellier Hérault SC) Fridolina Rolfö (FC Bayern München) (Kopparbergs/ Göteborg FC) (Eskilstuna United) (Eskilstuna United)

COACH

Pia Sundhage

34 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Make or Break Game Germany Should Sweden fall in its opening match to Germany, advancing out of the group stage is still possible but puts an emphasis on what Tournament History Russia and Italy do so taking Sweden won the first a point or full points is key. championship in 1984. Except Concentration, enthusiasm, for 1991 and 1993, when the and so on, must be maintained country failed to qualify, for ’s squad; the Sweden has made it to the talent, a mixture of veterans knockout round of every and youth, is there but the tournament. The three-time results are sometimes (and runners-up (1987, 1995, 2001) curiously) lacking. bowed out in the semifinals of the 2013 tournament after Player to Watch falling to eventual champion Germany, 0-1. Stina Blackstenius The forward was terrific in Rio, scoring against the United States in the quarterfinal and against Germany in the gold- medal match. With eyes on Road to Euro 2017 Lotta Schelin, Blackstenius Sweden topped Group 4 of can find space and time to qualifying and booked their get on the board. The 21-year- flight to the Netherlands. old hasn’t had the scoring Sweden’s only loss during touch for new club Montpellier qualification came at the hands Hérault SC since her move of Denmark, a 0-2 loss in the from Linköpings FC, so a strong final match of the qualifying showing in international round. competition could be what’s needed to kick start the next club season for her. EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 35 Italy

Brad Smith/isiphotos.com 36 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Laura Giuliani (SC Freiburg) (Brescia Calcio Femminile) Current FIFA (Unterland Damen)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 18

Cecilia Salvai (Brescia Calcio Femminile) (Brescia Calcio Femminile) (Fiorentina Women’s FC) (Fiorentina Women’s FC) Group Stage (Fiorentina Women’s FC) Linda Tucceri (USD San Zaccaria) Matches (ASD AGSM Verona FC) JULY 17 MIDFIELDERS vs. Russia (ASD Mozzanica) in Rotterdam (Brescia Calcio Femminile) (Brescia Calcio Femminile) (FCF Como 2000) JULY 21 (ASD AGSM Verona FC) vs. Germany (ASD AGSM Verona FC) in Tilburg (Brescia Calcio Femminile) Carissimi (Fiorentina Women’s FC) JULY 25

FORWARDS vs. Sweden in Doetinchem (ASD Cuneo Calcio Femminile) (ASD AGSM Verona FC) (Fiorentina Women’s FC) (Brescia Calcio Femminile) (Brescia Calcio Femminile)

COACH

Antonio Cabrini

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 37 Tournament History Unofficially, meaning Make or Break Game unrecognized by a governing body, Italy won the four-team Russia Full points against 1969 European championship, Russia are imperative if Italy hopes and were finalists in the for any chance of advancing out 1979 tournament, also non- of the group stage. sanctioned. Since then, Italy has qualified for every Euro finals tournament, making it to the finals in 1993 and 1997. Italy comes into the 2017 competition with a streak of four consecutive quarterfinal appearances on the line (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013). Player to Watch

Melania Gabbiadini At 33, Gabbiadini leads the team in goals scored and caps. In Road to Euro 2017 Italy’s 1-1 friendly with England, the Azurre’s attack improved Italy qualified as the runner-up with Gabbiadini on the field as a in Group 6 of qualifying, posting second-half substitute.. six wins and two losses. The two losses came at the hands of group winner Switzerland. In the group qualifying stage, Italy conceded eight times and scored 26 times, good for a +18 margin in goal differential.

38 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Russia

Brad Smith/isiphotos.com EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 39 Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Tatyana Shcherbak (Kubanochka Krasnodar) Alena Belyaeva (Chertanovo Moscow) Current FIFA Yulia Grichenko (WFC Rossiyanka)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 25

Anna Kozhnikova (CSKA Moscow) Viktoriya Shkoda (Kubanochka Krasnodar) (Ryazan VDV) Anna Belomyttseva (Ryazan VDV) Group Stage Nasiba Gasanova (Kubanochka Krasnodar) (Chertanovo Moscow) Matches

MIDFIELDERS JULY 17

Natala Solodkaya (Kubanochka Krasnodar) vs. Italy Tatiana Sheykina (Ryazan VDV) in Rotterdam Anastasia Pozdeeva (Zvezda 2005 Perm) Anna Cholovyaga (CSKA Moscow) Nadezhda Smirnova (CSKA Moscow) JULY 21 Elvira Ziyastinova (CSKA Moscow) vs. Sweden Margarita Chernomyrdina (Chertanovo Moscow) in Deventer (Kubanochka Krasnodar)

FORWARDS JULY 25 vs. Germany (Chertanovo Moscow) in Utrecht Ekaterina Sochneva (CSKA Moscow) (Ryazan VDV) (Ryazan VDV) Ekaterina Pantyukhina (Zvezda 2005 Perm) Marina Kiskonen

COACH

Elena Fomina

40 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Make or Break Game Italy Russia and Italy will battle for third-place, though Italy has more of a chance to advance should it take points Tournament History in this match. Russia could play Russia made it to the the role of spoiler, though, if it quarterfinals of the 1993 and can take a point here and head 1995 European championship into its final two group-stage but have failed to make it out matches with confidence. of the group stage since then. In 2005, the country didn’t qualify for the tournament.

Player to Watch Nadezhda Karpova Despite the lopsided victories the United States posted Road to Euro 2017 against Russia in April, Karpova was a spirited handful and In a qualifying group with scored the Russians’ only goal current Euros titleholders via a penalty kick in the two- Germany, Russia advanced game friendly series. to the championship as the group runner-up. It was an inconsistent qualifying campaign, with four wins and two draws and two losses.

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 41 42 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM C France Iceland Austria Switzerland

Group C doesn’t seem to leave much room for drama as to who will finish first in the group. We can all agree that Austria is going to wreck Group Stage shop here. Obviously kidding. All signs point to France taking care of Predictions business and finishing first while the rest of the group fights for the 1. France second qualifying spot. 2. Switzerland That being said, there’s a reason the games aren’t played on paper and a 3. Iceland reason for this preview—nothing has 4. Austria been set in stone just yet.

—Rachael Caldwell

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 43 France

Caroline Charruyer 44 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Sarah Bouhaddi (Olympique Lyonnais) Méline Gérard (Montpellier Hérault SC) Current FIFA Laëtitia Philippe (Montpellier Hérault SC)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 3

Camille Abily (Olympique Lyonnais) Élise Bussaglia (FC Barcelona) Onema (Paris Saint-Germain) (Portland Thorns FC) Group Stage (Olympique Lyonnais) Gaëtane Thiney (FCF Juvisy) Matches (Montpellier Hérault SC) JULY 18 MIDFIELDERS vs. Iceland Cláudia Neto (c) (Linköpings FC) in Tilburg Laura Luis (FF USV Jena) (Sporting Clube de Portugal) (Sporting Clube de Portugal) JULY 22 Fátima Pinto (Sporting Clube de Portugal) (FF USV Jena) vs. Austria Amanda Da Costa (Boston Breakers) in Utrecht Jéssica Silva (Levante UD Femenino) Mélissa Antunes (SC Braga) JULY 26

vs. Switzerland FORWARDS in Breda (FCF Juvisy) Marie-Laure Delie (Paris Saint-Germain) (FCF Juvisy) Eugénie Le Sommer (Olympique Lyonnais) Elodie Thomis (Olympique Lyonnais)

COACH

Olivier Echouafni

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 45 Tournament History France made its tournament Make or Break Game debut in 1997 and has qualified for the competition Switzerland The final group since then. Les Bleues come game for France, perhaps into the 2017 tournament already with their ticket to the after quarterfinal finishes next round punched, against in 2009 and 2013. a Switzerland team that might be fighting for their Euro lives. If France comes into this game without full focus—a valid concern with this side—they could end up with a loss. Road to Euro 2017 France qualified easily out of Group 3 without conceding Player to Watch a goal. In 2017, France had When strong showings against the France laid a 3-0 scoreline on United States, England, and the mighty United States in this Germany in the SheBelieves year’s SheBelieves Cup, Big Cup in March in preparation for Wendie was on fire defensively the tournament. The question and a threat on set pieces. with France is always which Renard can take over an French side will show up in the entire match. tournament? The one capable of delivering knockout blows to the reigning World Cup champs or the side that can be listless and uninterested?

46 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Iceland

Andreas Nilsson/bilderna.it via Wikimedia Commons EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 47 Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Guðbjörg Gunnarsdóttir (Djurgårdens IF) Sandra Sigurðardóttir (Valur) Current FIFA Sonny Lara Þráinsdóttir (Breiðablik UBK)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 19

Anna Björk Kristjánsdóttir (IF Limhamn Bunkeflo) Arna Sif Ásgrímsdóttir (Valur) Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir (Eskilstuna Utd) Hallbera Guðný Gísladóttir (Djurgårdens IF) Group Stage Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Breiðablik UBK) Málfríður E. Sigurdardottir (Valur) Matches Rakel Hönnudóttir (Breiðablik UBK) Sif Atladóttir (Kristianstads DFF) JULY 18 MIDFIELDERS vs. France in Tilburg Dagný Brynjarsdóttir (Portland Thorns FC) Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir (Vålerenga Fotball Damer) JULY 22 Hólmfríður Magnúsdóttir (Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur) vs. Switzerland Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir (VfL Wolfsburg) in Doetinchem Sigridur Lara Garðarsdóttir (ÍBV) JULY 26

FORWARDS vs. Austria Agla María Albertsdóttir (Stjarnan Women) in Rotterdam Berglind Björg Þorvaldsd. Elín Metta Jensen (Valur) Fanndís Friðriksdóttir (Breiðablik UBK) Harpa Þorsteinsdóttir (Stjarnan Women) Katrín Ásbjörnsdóttir (Stjarnan Women) Sandra María Jessen (Þór Akureyri)

COACH

Freyr Alexandersson

48 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Make or Break Game France It’s the first group match of the tournament for both teams and there’s no doubt Iceland will be looking to Tournament History make an impression and upset Iceland’s history in the the big dogs. However, if they European championships is stretch themselves too thin relatively recent, with 2009 looking for goals, it could put being the debut appearance them in a hole they can’t dig for the country. The squad out of later. finished last in a group that featured Germany, France, and Norway. In 2013, Iceland advanced out of the group Player to Watch stage but fell to Sweden, 0-4, Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir in the quarterfinals. Gunnarsdóttir is coming off a solid debut season with VfL Wolfsburg that included a Frauen- title. She’s in form and could be primed to play a major role for Road to Euro 2017 Iceland, especially with Dagný Iceland topped Group 1 on goal Brynjarsdóttir still recovering differential to qualify, losing to from injury and who has yet to group runner-up Scotland in play for the Portland Thorns in the final match of the qualifying the National Women’s Soccer round. League (NWSL) this season.

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 49 Austria

Ailura; CC BY-SA 3.0 AT [CC BY-SA 3.0 at (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/at/deed.en) or CC BY-SA 3.0 at (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-sa/3.0/at/deed.en)] via Wikimedia Commons 50 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Carolin Größinger (FC Bergheim) Jasmin Pfeiler (SKV Altenmarkt) Current FIFA (FC Bayern München)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 24

Marina Georgieva (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) (MSV ) (University of Kansas) Katharina Naschenweng (SK Sturm Graz Damen) Group Stage (SV Werder Bremen) (FC Bayern München) Matches (FC Bayern München) JULY 18 MIDFIELDERS vs. Switzerland (SC Sand) in Deventer (MSV Duisburg) (SKN St. Pölten Frauen) Jennifer Klein (NÖSV Neulengbach) JULY 22 (SKN St. Pölten Frauen) (SC Freiburg) vs. France (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) in Utrecht

FORWARDS JULY 26

Nicole Billa (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) vs. Iceland (SC Sand) in Rotterdam (SK Sturm Graz Damen) (SC Sand) (MSV Duisburg) (SKN St. Pölten Frauen)

COACH

Dominik Thalhammer

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 51 Make or Break Game Switzerland It’s the first game out of the gate for Austria, and a win here would make a statement. It would also put Tournament History them in great position to possibly This is the first European place second in this group. championships tournament for Austria.

Player to Watch

Nicole Billa Someone is going to replace Nina Burger eventually, and the heir apparent seems to be Billa. With two goals in the 2017 Cyprus Cup, Billa has shown her ability in international Road to Euro 2017 competition, and this will be the biggest test yet for the 21- Austria finished behind Norway year-old. in Group 8 of qualifying, winning five games and losing only once to group winners Norway. Recent results outside of qualifying include winning the 2016 Cyprus Cup.

52 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Switzerland

Steven Limentani/isiphotos.com EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 53 Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Gaëlle Thalmann (AGSM Verona) (FC Basel) Current FIFA (FC Zürich Frauen)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 17

Caroline Abbé (c) (FC Zürich Frauen) (MSV Duisburg) (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) Noëlle Maritz (VfL Wolfsburg) Group Stage (FC Basel) Jana Brunner (FC Basel) Matches Meriame Terchoun (FC Zürich Frauen) Géraldine Reuteler (FC Luzern) JULY 18 MIDFIELDERS vs. Austria in Deventer (VfL Wolfsburg) Vanessa Bürki (FC Bayern München) (FC Zürich Frauen) JULY 22 (FC Zürich Frauen) Lia Wälti (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) vs. Iceland (FC Zürich Frauen) in Doetinchem

FORWARDS JULY 26

Eseosa Aigbogun (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam) vs. France (Chelsea LFC) in Breda Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (1. FFC Frankfurt) (VfL Wolfsburg) Viola Calligaris (BSC Young Boys) (FC Zürich Frauen)

COACH

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg

54 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Make or Break Game Iceland Most will have Iceland and Switzerland fighting it out for the second Tournament History qualifying spot, meaning Along with Belgium, there will be a lot on the line Switzerland is making its in this match. Switzerland will first appearance in the have to face France after this championship tournament. one, making a win here all the Since its first Women’s World more critical for their chances Cup appearance in 2015, to advance. Switzerland has steadily improved and features a squad with several players gaining experience playing abroad. Player to Watch Ana-Maria Crnogorčević While defenses are focused Road to Euro 2017 on locating Lara Dickenmann Switzerland won Group 6 of or Ramona Bachmann, qualifying with eight wins and Crnogorčević emerging as zero losses while conceding a goal-scoring threat would only three goals. That make Switzerland a real danger defensive effort will need to to other teams. remain sharp against a French attack that can cause any team problems but its midfield will need to remain compact and patient to break down its Icelandic counterpart.

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 55 56 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM D

England Scotland Spain Portugal Group Stage England is expected to top the group Predictions but recent Algarve Cup winner Spain has shown strong form of late, and 1. England debutant Scotland can certainly earn a result against any team in 2. Spain this group, making Group D one of peril. Portugal, the other tournament 3. Scotland debutant, will likely be overmatched 4. Portugal but can’t be overlooked.

—JJ Duke contributed to this preview

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 57 England

Brad Smith/isiphotos.com 58 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Karen Bardsley (Manchester City WFC) (Liverpool LFC) Current FIFA (Chelsea LFC)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 5

Lucia (Lucy) Bronze (Manchester City WFC) (Manchester City WFC) (Manchester City WFC) Josanne Potter (Reading FC Women) Group Stage (Liverpool LFC) , unattached Matches (Liverpool LFC) Alex Scott (Arsenal LFC) JULY 19 MIDFIELDERS vs. Scotland in Utrecht NJill Scott (Manchester City WFC) (Arsenal LFC) Isobel (Izzy) Christiansen (Manchester City WFC) JULY 23 (Arsenal LFC) (Reading FC Women) vs. Spain (Chelsea LFC) in Breda (Chelsea LFC) JULY 27

FORWARDS vs.Portugal (Arsenal LFC) in Tilburg (Manchester City WFC) (Birmingham City LFC) (FC Barcelona Femení) Francesca (Fran) Kirby (Chelsea LFC)

COACH

Mark Sampson

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 59 Tournament History England was the runner-up Make or Break Game in the 1984 version of the championship and followed Spain Should everything go that appearance up with according to plan, England will a fourth-place finish in enter its second group-stage the 1987 tournament. After match against Spain with three failing to qualify for three points. A win against Spain straight tournaments, the could allow head coach Mark Lionesses made it to the Sampson to rotate and rest his semifinals in the 1995 squad against Portugal. A loss or tournament but then failed draw against Scotland, however, to qualify for the next one means maximum points against in 1997. The country’s most the Spaniards are a must. recent strong finish came as runners-up in the 2009 tournament. Player to Watch

Izzy Christiansen After moving to Manchester City from Birmingham City, the level Road to Euro 2017 of Christiansen’s game has England finished Group 7 with skyrocketed. Though the 2016 seven wins and a draw with Player’s Football Association Belgium. England conceded only (PFA) Women’s Player of the Year once, also to Belgium, and scored has only a handful of caps to 32 times for a goal differential her name coming into the Euros, of +31. expect this to be a breakout tournament for her.

60 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Scotland

Scottish Football Association EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 61 Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Gemma Fay (Stjarnan Women) (Vittsjö GIK) Current FIFA Lee Alexander ( City FC)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 21

Vaila Barsley (Eskilstuna United) (Hibernian LFC) Ifeoma Dieke (Vittsjö GIK) (Seattle Reign FC) Group Stage Sophie Howard (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) (Bristol City WFC) Matches Rachel McLauchlan (Hibernian LFC) (Hibernian LFC) (Bristol City WFC) JULY 19

vs. England MIDFIELDERS in Utrecht

Leanne Ross (Glasgow City FC) (Glasgow City FC) JULY 23 (Glasgow City FC) (Chelsea LFC) vs. Portugal (Liverpool LFC) in Rotterdam (Glasgow City FC) (UPC Tavagnacco) JULY 27

vs. Spain FORWARDS in Deventer (Arsenal LFC) (Manchester City WFC) (Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC) (Eskilstuna United)

COACH

Anna Signeul

62 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Make or Break Game England Scotland must pick up a point against England in the opening match to avoid leaving it all on the line in Tournament History the last group-stage match Scotland is making its debut in against Spain. the finals.

Player to Watch Caroline Weir Look no further than 21-year-old midfielder Caroline Weir. Weir’s Road to Euro 2017 been playing competitive first- team professional soccer in Scotland finished in second Scotland and England since place in Group 1, tied on points her teenage years, and is a with group winner Iceland, goal threat from the midfield. but a goal differential of +23 to Iceland’s +32 kept them in second.

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 63 Spain

Tim Bouwer/isiphotos.com 64 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Dolores Gallardo (Atlético Femenino) María Asunción (Mariasun) Quiñones (Real Current FIFA Sociedad Femenino) Sandra Paños (FC Barcelona Femení) Ranking: 13 DEFENDERS

Celia Jiménez (University of Alabama) Marta Torrejón (c) (FC Barcelona Femení) (Paris Saint-Germain) Group Stage (Atlético Madrid Femenino) Alexandra López (Atlético Madrid Femenino) Matches María Pilar León (Atlético Madrid Femenino) (FC Barcelona Femení) JULY 19 MIDFIELDERS vs. Portugal in Doetinchem (Montpellier Hérault SC) (Atlético Madrid Femenino) (FC Barcelona Femení) JULY 23 (FC Barcelona Femení) (Atlético Madrid Femenino) vs. England (FC Barcelona Femení) in Breda (Valencia CF Femenino) JULY 27

FORWARDS vs. Scotland (Atlético Madrid Femenino) in Deventer María Paz Vilas (Valencia CF Femenino) (Paris Saint-Germain) Olga Garcia (FC Barcelona Femení) Esther González (Atlético Madrid Femenino) Bárbara Latorre (FC Barcelona Femení)

COACH

Jorge Vilda

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 65 Make or Break Game England Spain should get past Portugal in its first group match: but either way, it’ll Tournament History probably be a winner-take-all scenario against England. After declining an invitation to the 1984 version of the championship, Spain failed to qualify until the 1997 finals tournament, and reached the semifinals before bowing out in a 1-2 Player to Watch loss to Italy. La Roja didn’t qualify for the next three Alexia Putellas Putellas is tournaments, and bowed already closing in on 50 caps out of the quarterfinals in with the national team and mainly the 2013 tournament after features out wide because of a 1-3 defeat at the hands her great pace. Putellas made of Norway. a splash at the 2013 Euros, coming off the bench in Spain’s first two group matches as a 19-year-old and starting the last group match and quarterfinal match. Now armed with a pair Road to Euro 2017 of major competitions under her belt as well as a trip to the UEFA Spain swept Group 2 qualifying Women’s Champions League with eight wins while scoring semifinals with Barcelona earlier 39 goals and conceding none. this year, expect Putellas to make the Euros a very productive tournament for herself.

66 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Portugal

UEFA EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 67 Roster

GOALKEEPERS

Jamila Marreiros (CF Befica) Patrícia Morais (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Current FIFA Ana Costa (SC Braga)

DEFENDERS Ranking: 38

Mónica Mendes (FC Neunkirch) (Levante UD Femenino) Silvia Rebelo (SC Braga) (CF Befica) Group Stage (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Matches MIDFIELDERS

Cláudia Neto (c) (Linköpings FC) JULY 19 Laura Luis (FF USV Jena) vs. Spain Ana Leite (Sporting Clube de Portugal) in Doetinchem Tatiana Pinto (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Fátima Pinto (Sporting Clube de Portugal) Dolores Silva (FF USV Jena) JULY 23 Amanda Da Costa (Boston Breakers) Jéssica Silva (Levante UD Femenino) vs. Scotland Mélissa Antunes (SC Braga) in Rotterdam

FORWARDS JULY 27

Andreia Norton (SC Braga) vs. England (Sporting Clube de Portugal) in Tilburg (Sporting Clube de Portugal) (SC Braga) (UMF Grindavík) (Santos FC)

COACH

Francisco Neto

68 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Make or Break Game All It’s a tall order for Portugal and realistically they will need to upset two of the three teams in the group to have a shot at advancing. Tournament History The second match against Portugal is making its first Scotland may be the most appearance in the finals likely place to pick up a point. tournament.

Player to Watch Amanda DaCosta Many American fans will see a familiar face in the Portugal lineup as Road to Euro 2017 DaCosta has been featuring for the team since the beginning Portugal finished second in of Euro qualifiers. The former Group 2 of qualifying and went Florida State Seminole and into a home-and-away playoff U.S. youth international has series against Romania, also won titles in England with a second-place finisher in its Liverpool Ladies and came respective group (Group 3). back to the United States to After a scoreless draw in the play in the National Women’s first leg in Lisbon, Portugal Soccer League (Washington advance on an away-goal Spirit, , and winner by in currently, the Boston Breakers). the 105th minute. DaCosta’s experience and leadership will be crucial for a team lacking in experience on the world stage.

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 69 Referees

Jana Adamkova () Stéphanie Frappart (France) Riem Hussein (Germany) Bibiana Steinhaus (Germany) Katalin Kulscár (Hungary) Carina Vitulano (Italy) Monika Mularczyk (Poland) Anastasia Pustovoitova (Russia) Esther Staubli (Switzerland) Pernilla Larsson (Sweden) Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine)

Assistant referees Anna Dabrowska (Poland) Petruta Iugulescu (Romania) Sanja Rođak Karšić () Mihaela Tepusa (Romania) Angela Kyriakou (Cyprus) Ekaterina Kurochkina (Russia) Lucie Ratajova (Czech Republic) Svetlana Bilić (Serbia) Sian Massey (England) Belinda Brem (Switzerland) Manuela Nicolosi (France) Maria Sukenikova () Christina Biehl (Germany) Oleksandra Ardesheva (Ukraine) Katrin Rafalski (Germany) Maryna Striletska (Ukraine) Chrysoula Kourompylia (Greece) Judit Kulscár (Hungary) Fourth officials Michelle O’Neill (Republic of Ireland) Lina Lehtovaara () Lucia Abruzzese (Italy) Lorraine Clark (Scotland) Nicolet Bakker (Netherlands)

70 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Venues Euro 2017 will be held in seven stadiums throughout the Netherlands.

Stadion De Adelaarshorst Stadion Galgenwaard Deventer Utrecht Capacity: 10,500 Capacity: 23,750

Sparta Stadion Rotterdam FC Twente Stadion Capacity: 10,599 Enschede Capacity: 30,000

Stadion De Vijverberg Doetinchem Capacity: 12,500 Rat Verlegh Stadion Breda Capacity: 18,000 Willem II Stadion Tilburg Capacity: 14,500

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 71 72 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM Vero Boquete has played in a few women’s soccer leagues. With a lengthy resume that dates back to her professional beginnings in Spain, Boquete has charted not only the differences in leagues across the world in terms of their style of play but also in terms of the support they receive. Now playing with one of France’s dominant teams, Paris Saint- Germain (PSG), Boquete has recently experienced the roar of a boisterous crowd in the club’s recent Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Slated to face fellow French giants Olympique Lyon in the Champions League final, Boquete is expecting the attention and fanfare to increase. “I think that it’s growing,” said Boquete. “It’s not that we always have the same amount of spectators that we had in that day, but our fans knew that it was a big game, that it was Champions League. Obviously, every weekend is not the same. In the domestic league, there’s less people in the stands, but I feel like people are starting to

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 73 get engaged with our game, with women’s football. I’m positive. I think in the next years, it will be more and more people.”

NEW DIRECTIONS That positivity is reflected a disappointing campaign on the in her views for her national world’s stage, people began to team, and following this year’s take notice of ’s somewhat shocking Algarve exceedingly long tenure at the Cup championship, one can helm of a particularly stagnant understand Boquete’s buoyed team. So did the national team belief in her country’s ability to players. compete. Enter . Leading the team “In the last months and the to the Algarve Cup championship last years, Spanish football has was certainly a way to grab the been getting better and better,” international women’s soccer she said. “People are surprised community’s attention. because we won, because it “It didn’t matter which coach was our first time. But we were in came, we felt that the change better shape than the rest of our would be positive either way,” rivals. In the technique and tactic, said Boquete. “It was about I think that we are better than a confidence. The generations of lot of national teams, so now it’s new players that we are getting about finding balance.” now because more girls are Part of that surprise came from playing, that’s what is taking us the turbulent waters the Spanish to the highest level. Before we women’s national team faced were not professional, just a few after their underwhelming 2015 players were really good, and now Women’s World Cup debut. After a lot of players from Spain are playing in other countries. Also 74 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM in Spain, we have some teams “We are for sure in the best that have really professional moment in history of women’s conditions, and that makes the football in Spain,” said Boquete. overall level high. When we go “Never before have we had with the national team, we have players this talented. We’ve also to just come together, and play never had as many women’s how we know because it’s our teams in Spain as we have now, Spanish style.” and now we have women’s referees. There are role models With that attention may come for the kids. I grew up, like all my pressure. Spain was puffed up as teammates, without women’s role a possible Cinderella story back models, and that is changing. Now in 2015, and with the team riding it’s also helping to change the high heading into this summer’s mentality of the society. In Spain, Euros, that narrative could rear we still have a macho mentality, its ugly head. and that was our biggest barrier. Of course, as any professional We are breaking up with that sport player is wont to say, idea. More kids are going to play Boquete and her team aren’t football, and more parents want focused on narrative. They’re their kids to play football, and we focused on living in the history are growing together. The future they’re writing for women’s of Spanish women’s football can soccer in Spain. be much better than before.”

SCHOOL IS IN Boquete knows that it will take more than wins or medals with the national team to change that “macho mentality” that many Spaniards have yet to shake, it also takes a little off-the-field work. This led to Boquete creating

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 75 a network of soccer schools, and Boquete just recently opened a project that she started with a technique school where kids friends almost a decade ago. come for two hours a week to work on a specific part of their “We had this idea to build technique. Perhaps the most something together, especially in unique part of the education my hometown and in my region, Boquete offers at her schools because women’s football was is that all classes at her soccer not supported,” said Boquete. schools are mixed, with boys “In my hometown, and now in and girls participating in various all of my country, I have kind of drills together. a name or reputation. I have to use it to help girls be able to play “They have to understand that football. At the same time, I want it’s normal,” said Boquete. “I to help to change the mentality, really believe in education. If you and for that there is nothing educate them in the same way, better than a game, like football, they will be exactly the same. to work together.” “It’s just about education with the game, and just to share with Camps, clinics, and tournaments them all the values that football are available to those enrolled, gave to me.” ABOUT VERO

Boquete is well-traveled and has Philadelphia Independence of played in Germany, Russia, and WPS, and was an integral part the United States. She started of the team that made it to the her career with Prainsa Zaragoza league final but lost in penalties and then RCD Espanyol. In 2010, to the . Boquete headed to the U.S. to Boquete was the league’s Player play in the W-League and then of the Year. the Chicago Red Stars in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). In After the 2011 WPS season ended, 2011, Boquete signed with the Boquete headed to Russia to

76 | WWW.OURGAMEMAG.COM EURO EXPECTATIONS Before that next generation can believe in our style, our football,” take the field for Spain, Boquete said Boquete. “The team has a still has a bit of on the field lot of confidence, but we know work to take care of for her that a tournament like the Euros country. In a group with Portugal, is going to be really hard. We are England, and Scotland, this just ready to start, because you summer’s Euros won’t allow just want to play and you want Spain to easily land atop the to show to everyone that we are group, but they are perhaps more respected than before. Our more prepared than ever. moment is this summer, and I think we will be prepared.” “We are not that far from the big national teams, and we have to

(EDITOR’S NOTE)

play for Energiya Voronezh in the appearances for the Thorns and Champions League. Following the adding six assists. Following the season, she transferred to Tyresö season, she headed to Germany, FF in the Damallsvnskan, where playing for 1. FFC Frankfurt and she won a league title. Bayern Munich.

After Tyresö folded, Boquete In 2016, Boquete signed a two- returned to the U.S. in 2014 year contract with PSG. In 21 with the Portland Thorns FC in appearances for the club, Boquete NWSL, scoring four goals in 15 has seven goals.

EURO 2017 | ISSUE 35 | 77 EDITOR’S NOTE:

This interview was conducted before Spain’s final roster for Euro 2017 was selected. Boquete was not selected by head coach Jorge Vilda for the competition. Boquete later released a statement via about the decision (https://twitter.com/VeroBoquete/status/877224619241082880), which is below: