England Faces a Challenging Semi-Final Against Italy
England’s journey in the European Championship has been marked by resilience and determination, but their semi-final clash against Italy promises to be one of the most demanding matches they have faced. Despite being the clear favorites to reach the final, the Lionesses must remain vigilant and avoid any lapses in concentration that could jeopardize their chances.
The defending champions were pushed to the brink during their quarter-final encounter with Sweden, where they trailed 2-0 with just 11 minutes left on the clock. However, a remarkable turn of events saw substitute Chloe Kelly provide two crucial crosses, allowing Lucy Bronze to head England back into the game. Moments later, Michelle Agyemang, who was once a ball girl during England’s 2022 final victory over Germany, calmly tapped in the equalizer with assistance from Beth Mead.
The match eventually went to a dramatic penalty shootout, which will be remembered as one of the most unforgettable moments in football history. The Lionesses’ tenacity and composure in that situation highlight the importance of maintaining focus in high-stakes games. Now, they must carry that same intensity into their semi-final against Italy, aiming for their third consecutive major final.
Italy’s Path to the Semi-Finals
Italy’s route to the semi-finals has been equally impressive. They finished second in their group behind Spain before overcoming Norway in a tightly contested quarter-final. Captain Cristiana Girelli delivered a standout performance, scoring the opening goal in the 50th minute and securing her team’s first semi-final appearance at the Euros since 1997.
Italy created several chances in the first half and may not be as vulnerable if England is not at their sharpest. However, they also benefited from Norway’s captain, Ada Hegerberg, missing a crucial penalty during the second half. This incident highlights how close the match was and how important it is for England to stay focused throughout the entire 90 minutes plus injury time.
Betting Odds and Player Updates
Lauren James, despite not scoring against Sweden, remains a key player for England. Bookmakers like bet365, Betway, Sporting Index, and SpreadEx are offering odds of 11/2 for her to both open the scoring and find the net in the semi-final. Meanwhile, Cristiana Girelli is listed at 10/3 with Ladbrokes and Coral to score for Italy.
A 3-1 win for England is available at 12/1 with William Hill, while the odds for England to win and both teams to score are set at 11/5 with bet365. These figures reflect the confidence in England’s ability to secure a victory, but they also underline the potential for a competitive match.
Kalvin Phillips’ Transfer Situation
Kalvin Phillips, the England international, is reportedly heading out of Manchester City, though a return to Leeds United is not guaranteed. Despite Leeds being 1/3 favorites to sign him with William Hill, manager Daniel Farke may be hesitant due to Phillips’ injury history. His potential return to Elland Road has sparked interest, especially after he liked social media posts from former teammates.
Burnley is considering a move to reunite Phillips with Kyle Walker, with odds of 8/1 at Hills. Everton is also interested in signing the midfielder to strengthen their midfield, with odds of 9/1 at the same bookmaker.
Darts Odds and Updates
In the world of darts, defending champion Luke Humphries suffered an unexpected defeat in the World Matchplay, losing 10-8 to Gian van Veen. However, he still has a chance to advance to the third round by defeating Danny Noppert by more than 2.5 legs, with odds of 5/4 at Paddy Power, Betway, and Betfair.
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