Bayern Munich players were active throughout Europe this week for the last two matches of Qualification for next Summer’s Women’s European Championship in Switzerland. Germany and Spain were the only teams that had joined the hosts before this round of matches, so there was a lot on the line for these two matches. Here is a summary of how each national team with Bayern-ties did:
Germany
Away to Iceland: 3-0 loss, Home to Austria: 4-0 win
As always, Bayern was well represented in the Germany roster. Giulia Gwinn captained the German side for both matches. Klara Bühl and Lea Schüller also started for Germany in Iceland. After a perfect qualification run up to this point, Germany did not have a great outing and lost 3-0.
For the home match against Austria, Lena Oberdorf joined the Bayern trio from the previous match in the starting lineup. Bühl opened the scoring in the 11th minute and finished it out with the fourth goal in stoppage time of the second half. Lea Schüller also add a goal to make it 3-0 early in the second half. This win came with a potentially huge loss for both Germany and Bayern, as Oberdorf went down with a potential ACL injury, though there has been no confirmation of injury.
Iceland
Home to Germany: 3-0 win, Away to Poland: 1-0 win
Iceland was captained by Bayern captain Glodis Perla Viggosdottir in both matches. She secured the backline and helped her team shutout both opponents. Karolina Lea Vihjalmsdottir, Bayern’s loanee at Leverkusen also started both matches, while goalkeeper Runarsdottir was on the bench for both matches. The win over Germany secured their spot in next Summer’s tournament — their win away to Poland was extra sugar on top.
Denmark
Away to Belgium: 3-0 win, Home to Czechia 2-0 win
Pernille Harder captained Denmark in both wins and played the full 90 minutes of each. She scored a goal in the 66th minute of the match against Belgium. The win against Belgium was enough to secure a berth to next Summer’s final tournament.
Norway
Away to Finland: 1-1 draw, Home to the Netherlands: 1:1 draw
Tuva Hansen started for Norway in both draws — playing the full 90 in Finland and 86 minutes against the Netherlands. They needed a win to qualify automatically to next Summer’s finals, but have to settle for third place and a spot in the playoffs due to two late equalizers conceded — in the 8th minute of stoppage time in Finland and in the 82nd minute against the Netherlands.
England
Home to Ireland: 2-1 win, Away to Sweden: 0-0
Georgia Stanway started and played the full 90 minutes in both matches. She scored what would be the game-winner from the penalty spot in the 57th minute of the match against Ireland. Even with the win against Ireland, England needed a result on the final day to qualify for the finals. The draw against Sweden was enough for the defending Champions to clinch second place and that automatic qualification.
Sweden
Away to France: 2-1 loss, Home to England: 0-0 draw
Linda Sembrant captained the match against France and played the full 90 minutes, while Magdalena Eriksson watched the loss from the bench. Both Bayern players faced Stanway’s England as center-back partners and helped the defense secure a shutout. The results were enough for Sweden to finish in third place and a spot in the playoffs.
Scotland
Away to Slovakia: 2-0 win, Home to Serbia 1-0 win
Samantha Kerr started both matches — playing all 90 minutes against Slovakia and 66 minutes against Serbia. Scotland topped their group, but they were playing in League B of a seemly convoluted qualification system. This means that topping their group does not book them a ticket to Switzerland, but rather puts them into the playoffs for the final spots.
Serbia
Home to Israel: 1-0 win, Away to Scotland: 1-0 loss
Jovana Damnjanovic started and played the full 90 minutes in each of Serbia’s matches. She was unable to get a goal or an assist in either game, but the results were enough for Serbia to finish second place in their group. Like Scotland, the second place finish only puts them into the playoff rounds, so they have work to do to get to Switzerland.