5 Players to watch at Euro 2022
The Women’s Euros is packed with talent, so much so that bringing it down to just five players is almost unjust, so here’s just the cream of the crop of who’ll be on display this once.
It goes without saying that we will be missing the best player in the world, Alexia Putellas, who suffered an ACL tear on the eve of the tournament. Of course, the Barcelona superstar and current Ballon d’Or winner would have been top of this list, but unfortunately for her, Spain and the fans, she will not be plating this year.
Ada Hederberg (Norway)
One of, if not, the best striker in world football returned to international duty this year after a five-year absence. The Norwegian has a back catalogue of honours and awards, including six Champions League’s and a Ballon d’Or, her presence alone, is enough to bring in the goals.
The complete ‘put it in the box and I’ll score’ forward, Hederberg is possibly the most rounded striker out there, and she has arguably two of the best crosses on either side of her in Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten. Adding it up, it creates the most lethal front three in the Euros.
As players go, she’s a winner, one of the most decorated footballers on earth, and is the definition of knows where the goal is, as England and Barcelona player Lucy Bronze states, “She’s obsessed with scoring”.
If you’re after goals this tournament, look no further than Hederberg and Norway in 2022.
Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands)
Arsenal and the Netherlands talismanic forward, Vivienne Miedema is a player you just can’t miss in the Euros.
The 25-year-old is the Dutch’s all-time top scorer and was part of the squad that won the Euros in 2017 and got to the 2019 World Cup Final. She has three domestic titles and is also the WSL’s record goal scorer.
Often compared to prime Dennis Bergkamp, Miedema has world-class technique, but combines that with intelligent timing and having the physicality to hold off defenders, make her a formidable forward. She’s also a player who loves to create, so you’ll see her drop back and create space for others but is almost always in the box waiting for the ball to return to her feet.
Lauren Hemp (England)
21-year-old Manchester City winger won the League Cup and picked up a record fourth Young Player of the Year award, alongside scoring seven goals in 21 appearances for England.
Hemp is in the form of her life this year, and has lit up the WSL this year, scoring ten goals and getting six assists. A player who shy’s away from the limelight off the pitch but relishes the pressure on it. Hemp has pace and power, a player who loves to take on defenders and get into the box, be that to supply and or slot home herself.
Wendie Renard (France)
Captain of club and country, Renard is a towering defender, who has eight Champions League’s to her name, alongside 23 other domestic honours.
Renard is the first player to make 100 appearances in the Champions League and has over 130 caps for France, the defender has been a presence in world football for some time now, and still commands the top level of respect to this day.
The player is the type to be the first in and the last out, she has the physicality to push off most forwards and commands her backline with authority. With rumours of unrest in the French dressing room, she will be key to her team’s success in Euro 2022.
Fridolina Rolfo (Sweden)
Part of the almost undefeated Barcelona team, Rolfo is an integral player for Sweden’s front line, and was named Swedish Player of the Year in 2021.
A powerful forward, who isn’t afraid to shoot from distance, but also has the ability to get into the right positions to receive the ball from her supporting cast.
Sweden Coach Jonas Eidevall says Rolfo is a someone you can’t stop when she carry’s the ball forward.
“When she gets into positions where she is facing forward, and is getting up to speed with the ball, she is very hard to stop."
Rolfo is key to Sweden, and will most likely be up there in the top goal scorer charts, should she carry them through the tournament.
