Spain vs. France: Date, Start Time and Preview for Women's Euro Match

A European clash of massive proportions, Monday’s fixture between Spain and France promises to sort the women from the girls in Group C.

After winning their opening matches against England and Russia, respectively, the Spanish and the French will both be in good spirits regarding their chances of progressing further.

Despite their shock win over England, however, it would be folly for Spain to feel as if their work is done at this stage, with one of the competition’s pre-tournament favourites waiting just around the corner.

Where: Nya Parken, Norrkoping

When: Monday, 15 July, at 14:30 p.m. EDT/19:30 p.m. BST

Watch: BBC Three

Stream: BBC Sport website

Preview

Currently ranked by FIFA as sixth in the world and just second in Europe’s standings, France’s only real deficiency coming into this tournament was their defence and, at times, a flagging in creative consistency.

Despite their win over England, Spain have had a quite different issue: It’s been goals that have proven hard to come by for the side at times.

Ignacio Quereda knows his side inside-out and is the most experienced coach in the competition by a margin of no less than a decade. Having headed the Spanish side since 1988, the veteran has ingrained the same principles in his squad which are so inherent within their male equivalent, operating on a possession-based system with the greatest depth coming from their midfield.

For Spain to cause another grand upset, they’ll need to receive a decent chunk of the ball, but they are unfortunately not the most physical of sides.

It’s here that the French stand to trump their Iberian opponents and are much more likely to hit their opponent on the break with quick counters.

Marie-Laure Delie will be a key presence for the French. She came into this competition with a ratio of 45 goals in 58 caps for the national side.

Since then, the 25-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward has improved that rate from her side’s Group C opening victory over Russia, netting a concise brace in the 3-1 victory.

For Spain, it will be a matter of ensuring Delie sees as little of the ball as possible. This means cutting her supply from deep, rather than simply piling coverage on the star.

 

Prediction: Spain 1-3 France