Everton Women News Recap: Latest 2022 European Championships qualifying rounds

Several Everton players represented their respective countries this past week as several national teams qualified for the 2022 European Championship.

Having already qualified for the 2022 competition, Denmark drew 0–0 against a feisty Italy side. With 28 points in 10 matches, Denmark had a simple qualification process, finishing with a nearly flawless 9–1–0 record, scoring 48 goals and conceding only once. Representing the Toffees was Rikke Sevecke, who played as the left-sided center-back (her natural position for the national team and Everton), and Nicoline Sørensen, who operated as the right wing in a midfield four. Sevecke, who was booked, played the entirety of Denmark’s match against Italy, while Sørensen was subbed off in the 88th minute for Frederikke Thøgersen.

Moving on to group E, Everton captain Lucy Graham and Scotland saw any hopes of qualifying for the 2022 tournament utterly dashed; Scotland lost two 1–0 affairs, dropping points to Portugal and Finland. Graham was an unused substitute in the first match, as Scotland were bested by an up-and-coming Portugal squad brimming with talent. Against Finland, Graham was a 65th minute substitute, replacing Christie Murray on the right side of a midfield three. Even with two games left to play in the group stage, Scotland trail Finland and Portugal — who are tied for first with 16 points apiece — by seven points, an insurmountable tally for the Scots.

While Graham and Scotland saw their hopes of European glory fade this past week, Everton backup goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela and her Finnish teammates put themselves in strong standing among the top of the group. Korpela, who has now been capped a staggering 93 times for her country, procured her fourth shutout in six games; Finland have conceded only two goals during that span. With both Finland and Portugal having yet to play two games — one of which is against each other — Korpela will need to continue her strong play in net if Finland are to win Group E and automatically qualify for the 2022 tournament.

The final Toffee who saw time this past week was defensive midfielder Maéva Clemaron. While she was an unused substitute in France’s 3–0 win against Austria, Clemaron was a 62nd minute replacement, coming on for Grace Geyoro, as France cruised to a 12–0 thrashing of Kazakhstan. With 22 points, a 7–1–0 record and 44 goals scored, France outpaced Austria for the Group G title, earning automatic qualification.