Taking on Europe

Published on 10 July 2013 at 10:56 AM by OT

No less than ten Olympique Lyonnais players will be hoping to triumph in the 2013 European championships that start in Sweden on Wednesday.

Les Lyonnaises are ready to get it on! Representing France, and also Sweden, ten of the team are ready for the tournament's start on Wednesday. Captain of the host nation, Lotta Schelin will be desperate to lead her side to the ultimate triumph. After a third-place finish at the 2011 World Cup and a quarter-final elimination at the London Olympics, Sweden will be looking to win back the trophy they lifted in the very first edition back in 1984. Pia Sundhage, returns as coach after leading America to gold in London.

France are also eyeing off victory in the final and boast no less than nine OL players: Bouhaddi, Renard, Franco, Henry, Bussaglia, Abily, Necib, Le Sommer and Thomis. After semi-final losses in both the World Cup and the Olympic Games, Les Bleues want to go at least one better this time. Despite a 2-0 to Australia in their final warm-up match, this France side is capable of beating anyone on their day.

Sweden and France are two of the favourites for the crown, along with Germany, winner of the last five Euros. The top two in each group, along with the best two third place teams, qualify for the quarter-finals.

There are also a number of former OL players taking part in Euro 2013: Deville (Juvisy), Georges (PSG) and Bretigny (Juvisy) will play for France, while Stensland (Stabaek) will represent Norway. For her part, Sonia Bompastor will be commentating the matches alongside Denis Balbir on W9 in France, while Cécile Locatelli will be covering the competition for Eurosport.

Groupe A: SUEDE, Italy, Denmark, Finland
Groupe B: Germany, Norway, Netherlands, Iceland
Groupe C: FRANCE, England, Russia, Spain

Wed 10: Italy - Finland
: SWEDEN - Denmark

Thu 11: Norway - Iceland
: Germany - Netherlands

Fri 12 : FRANCE - Russia
: England - Spain

Sat 13: Italy - Denmark
: Finland - SWEDEN

Sun 14: Norway - Netherlands
: Iceland - Germany

Mon 15: England - Russia
: Spain - FRANCE

Tue 16: SWEDEN - Italy
: Denmark - Finland

Wed 17: Germany - Norway
: Netherlands - Iceland

Thu 18: FRANCE - England
: Russia- Spain

Sun 21 + Mon 22: Quarter-finals
Wed 24 + Thu 25: Semi-finals
Sun 28: Finale

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