The Group B openers of the Women’s 2017 European Championships brought a couple of surprises with outsiders Russia beating Italy, while Sweden and Germany drew.
Earlier in the day Russia surprised many observers with their win over Italy.
Russia had never won a Euro game and took an early 2-0 lead before a late fightback by Italy, who came close to a draw with an injury time goal refused for offside.
Italy 1 Russia 2
GOAL! Italy 1-2 Russia (Mauro 89)#WEURO2017 #ITARUS pic.twitter.com/KXGn6vJxEn
— UEFA Women's EURO (@UEFAWomensEURO) July 17, 2017
A rematch of the final at the Rio Olympics in 2016, Sweden and Germany’s group game ended up in a 0-0 draw with both side unable to break the deadlock.
Sweden and Germany were among the favourites to win the the tournament, but have a lot of work ahead of them to shine in the knock-out stage.
Germany 0 Sweden 0
https://twitter.com/UEFAWomensEURO/status/887080743024771072
Russia and Italy aren’t fancied to go all the way in the Euros, but Russia’s win against Italy could see the outsider upset the odds again and go through to the quarter-finals. Josephine Henning, the former Arsenal Ladies player, was present for the full 90 minutes.