The WDWC is firing along nicely now, with Group A wrapped up and England & USA safely into the semi-finals. Who will join them? Well we'll find out today as Group B battle it out. The teams here are France, Germany, Rest of UK, Mainland Europe and Sweden.
As before, we'll rattle through the first four rounds of games, leaving us set up for the crucial final-round fixtures.
Matchday 1
The Rest of UK team probably go into the tournament as the least-fancied side, although they will take heart from Ireland's decent showing last time. However, they can't get off to the same start, as Germany coast to a 2-0 win thanks to two Verena Aschauer strikes. Mainland Europe also get off to a fine start, beating Sweden by the same scoreline, Lieke Martens and Jennifer Hermoso on the scoresheet.
As before, we'll rattle through the first four rounds of games, leaving us set up for the crucial final-round fixtures.
Matchday 1
The Rest of UK team probably go into the tournament as the least-fancied side, although they will take heart from Ireland's decent showing last time. However, they can't get off to the same start, as Germany coast to a 2-0 win thanks to two Verena Aschauer strikes. Mainland Europe also get off to a fine start, beating Sweden by the same scoreline, Lieke Martens and Jennifer Hermoso on the scoresheet.
Matchday 2
France are the final team to get underway in the tournament, and they are tasked with a difficult proposition as they travel to Dortmund to face Germany. However, they make light work of it, as Ada Hederberg and Shanice van de Sanden secure a 2-0 victory. Elsewhere, Sweden get off the mark with a nervy 1-0 win at home to RoUK, Caroline Seger's 3rd-minute volley proving enough.
Matchday 3
Mainland Europe travelled to face RoUK, hoping a win would pile the pressure on Germany, who don't have a game this round. However, RoUK produced a fine defensive display to frustrate Mainland Europe and earn a 0-0 draw. This meant that France's comfortable 3-0 win over Sweden saw them go clear at the top of the table, with goals from Hederberg, Eugénie Le Sommer and van de Sanden.
France are the final team to get underway in the tournament, and they are tasked with a difficult proposition as they travel to Dortmund to face Germany. However, they make light work of it, as Ada Hederberg and Shanice van de Sanden secure a 2-0 victory. Elsewhere, Sweden get off the mark with a nervy 1-0 win at home to RoUK, Caroline Seger's 3rd-minute volley proving enough.
Matchday 3
Mainland Europe travelled to face RoUK, hoping a win would pile the pressure on Germany, who don't have a game this round. However, RoUK produced a fine defensive display to frustrate Mainland Europe and earn a 0-0 draw. This meant that France's comfortable 3-0 win over Sweden saw them go clear at the top of the table, with goals from Hederberg, Eugénie Le Sommer and van de Sanden.
Matchday 4
As Sweden faced Germany, all eyes were on Anja Mittag, the 158-time capped German leading the line for the Swedes. And in the 68th minute she scored... unfortunately, this goal only came after Germany were 4-1 up - goals coming from Pernille Harder (twice), Nilla Fischer and Jackie Groenen, before Sanne Troelsgaard got Sweden on the scoresheet. To rub salt into the wounds, Harder sealed her hat-trick 40 seconds after Mittag's goal, to secure a 5-2 German win. France had the chance to secure qualification against Mainland Europe, and Hederberg broke a poor offside trap to put the French ahead. However, with minutes remaining Mainland Europe got level as Juventus and England striker Eni Aluko fired in a snapshot following a corner to earn her side a point.
As Sweden faced Germany, all eyes were on Anja Mittag, the 158-time capped German leading the line for the Swedes. And in the 68th minute she scored... unfortunately, this goal only came after Germany were 4-1 up - goals coming from Pernille Harder (twice), Nilla Fischer and Jackie Groenen, before Sanne Troelsgaard got Sweden on the scoresheet. To rub salt into the wounds, Harder sealed her hat-trick 40 seconds after Mittag's goal, to secure a 5-2 German win. France had the chance to secure qualification against Mainland Europe, and Hederberg broke a poor offside trap to put the French ahead. However, with minutes remaining Mainland Europe got level as Juventus and England striker Eni Aluko fired in a snapshot following a corner to earn her side a point.
That goal leaves things tantalisingly poised going into the final round of fixtures:
It appears to be a three-way battle, but as Germany and Mainland Europe face each other in their final game, France are guaranteed progression. Therefore we will give a brief summary of their game against RoUK before focusing on the battle for the final semi-final berth.
France vs. Rest of UK
This is a very strong French team, and they have shown that with their performances thus far. RoUK will probably be pleased to have gained one point, and they nearly double that as they only lost 1-0 to France. The goal came in the 74th minute, van de Sanden firing in her third goal of a productive tournament thus far.
Germany vs. Mainland Europe
There are plenty of world-class talents on show in this fixture, hopefully it'll be a thrilling battle to see who gets through to face England in the semi-finals.
France vs. Rest of UK
This is a very strong French team, and they have shown that with their performances thus far. RoUK will probably be pleased to have gained one point, and they nearly double that as they only lost 1-0 to France. The goal came in the 74th minute, van de Sanden firing in her third goal of a productive tournament thus far.
Germany vs. Mainland Europe
There are plenty of world-class talents on show in this fixture, hopefully it'll be a thrilling battle to see who gets through to face England in the semi-finals.
It's Mainland Europe who need to change things in order to progress, and they get the break they need in the 10th minute when Fischer is penalised for pushing Aluko in the box. Up steps Martens... and she buries it in the top corner! Now Germany need to find a way through, and they do exactly that when Fischer is left unmarked at a corner, and makes up for her earlier mistake by putting away her header. Mainland Europe have generally had the better of the game, but nearly fall behind as Harder's long drive sails just wide. Half time, and Germany are nearly there.
It's Germany's turn to switch off at a corner, and Aissatou Tounkara is left in acres of space to volley Mainland Europe back into the lead! A small blip appears as Kika Van Es is forced off, but they look comfortable. That nearly changes in the 81st minute as German sub Nina Burger crashes a volley against the crossbar, but it proves to be Germany's last big chance, and they slip to a 2-1 defeat that knocks them out.
It's Germany's turn to switch off at a corner, and Aissatou Tounkara is left in acres of space to volley Mainland Europe back into the lead! A small blip appears as Kika Van Es is forced off, but they look comfortable. That nearly changes in the 81st minute as German sub Nina Burger crashes a volley against the crossbar, but it proves to be Germany's last big chance, and they slip to a 2-1 defeat that knocks them out.
Final standings
France go through to face the USA, in a very tasty clash. Meanwhile, Mainland Europe will hope to stop England's 100% record thus far. The outcome of the two semi-finals will be given in the next update, see you then!