Cupello Women's Euro Blog 3 – Quarter finals line up

The quarter finals are now decided and hosts England kick off against Spain at the Amex Brighton on Wednesday evening. I for sure got it wrong on Norway who I felt would come out against Austria like a wounded animal and get through, but instead were still suffering psychologically from the heavy defeat and the disciplined Austria side held strong and stole the tie in the end to deservedly qualify. Their well organised defence will be tough to breakdown as England found on game day one.

My other potential spoilers Iceland went out with some pride and remaining unbeaten after their third drawn game with the late penalty against France. Despite France's change of personnel they actuallyshowed some chinks in the French Armour, basically matching them physically and out of possession went 1 to 1 and stuck to their task, frustrating the French attacking units with aggression and determination – they exit the tournament with heads held high as do the Northern Irish history makers.

Belgium who I played a few times when Manager of Estonia did not surprise me in beating Italy they have been working hard for many years to build a real team ethos with the continuity of the same coach as when I last played them, they have a real spirit but it will take more than that I believe to get past world number 2 ranked Sweden who have been very steady throughout.

The Netherlands did well to ride their luck a little and I really felt the Swiss fell foul of missed opportunities that could have altered the Dutch mindset and the end score line slightly flattered Netherlands they for sure need Medema back asap.

The Danish Coach should question the timing of his substitutions in the game against Spain and it literally could have gone either way. For me he brings Nadia Nadim on ten minutes earlier her creativity and clever movement plus her ability to score gives them a far better chance with more time to impact the game, but in the end, Spain carry on their journey to meet England in what could be an intriguing encounter.

England’s consistent squad selection has so far proven to be efficient with a visible strategy of getting the ball into wide areas with an occasional variation of central combination play. Whichever scenario they look to create 1 v 1 situations with players like Hemp and Mead both more than capable and confident to go at their opponent and on many occasions thus far beat them or gain set pieces.

We are getting the ball into areas and creating opportunities. If we have been guilty of anything it may be missing easier opportunities than we actually convert.

That could be our downfall with the system of play that Spain play despite the fact they play a great possession game their 1-4-1-4-1 line up means that they can defend their flanks well and centrally they can drop into a low block in numbers and be hard to break down there also.

But there is no doubt England can win this game how and why could depend on the use of the new fashionable name for substitutes GAME CHANGERS. I believe we have far more of those at our disposal than any other squad.

With Germany as I stated in my first blog quietly going about their business with a very well drilled 1-4-3-3 methodical going forward but always reactive on transition to regain quickly they are as always contenders. At this moment if forced to predict, it would be a good old England v Germany final at Wembley – now wouldn’t that be something!