The stage is set for the semifinal round at the Women’s Euro 2017 tournament in the Netherlands. The first semifinal game to look at features Denmark and Austria, which is a very intriguing Euro 2017 Semifinal matchup.
What To Know About Denmark
Denmark is in the semifinal round for the sixth time and second straight Euro tournament in a row after 2-1 win over the defending champions from Germany (who had won this tournament six straight times). Denmark allowed an early goal in the third minute, but Nadia Nadim equalized in the 48th minute and then Theresa Nielsen scored the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute. Denmark is an experienced team with players that have played together for a long time, and it showed as they had a lot of poise going down to the champions, and now they’re on the brink of their first-ever final. Denmark, however, has to get over the semifinal hump, which has tripped them up in the past.
What To Know About Austria
Austria didn’t enter the first six editions of the Women’s Euro tournament, and then failed to qualify until this event. However, here they are in the semifinal after beating Spain 5-3 on penalty kicks. The game went 120 minutes with a 0-0 scoreline before it went to penalties, and Austria was a perfect 5-for-5 from the spot, with Manuela Zinsberger making a huge save on Silvia Meseguer. Austria doesn’t have nearly the experience that Denmark has, but they’re playing with house money and they’re acting like it, playing as a team that is free of expectations. However, don’t let them fool you: Austria is ranked 13th in UEFA, which is just one spot behind Denmark. The big worry for Austria that they might be without Lisa Makas, who is second on the team in international goals. She hurt her knee against Spain and it didn’t look good.
Outlook
Denmark is the favorite to win this game at +130, while Austria comes in at +200 and a draw is listed at +220. Austria has actually won two of their three meetings with Denmark, including a 4-2 win in a friendly in July, so they’re not going to be afraid of the Danish. These two teams are very well matched and it should be an open game that comes down to the play of the keepers to make big saves.
The two teams don’t rely on one player for goals as well as Austria’s Nina Burger, with two, is the only player on either team to score more than one (Denmark has four players that have scored a goal Austria has three). The winning goal could very well come from a player that has yet to find the score sheet.
While much of the attention on Thursday will be focused on the other semifinal game between England and the hosts from the Netherlands, Denmark-Austria could be a better game. Whichever team wins will be an underdog going into the final, and both teams want to prove they belong in this tournament.
Euro 2017 Semifinal Pick: Denmark
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