Six Netherlands and Sweden stars to watch at the Euros including WSL aces Miedema and Eriksson

SWEDEN kick off their quest to reach a European Championship final for the first time since the tournament began in 1984.

They face a Netherlands side bidding to win the contest for the second successive time following their 2017 triumph.

The Bramall Lane clash, to be aired live on BBC One at 8:00 pm, is the second of two Group C openers with Portugal drawing 2-2 with Switzerland.

Sweden - beaten finalists at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and the Tokyo Games last August – will be hoping to claim their first major tournament win in 38 years.

But they will be up against a Dutch side featuring an array of attacking talent.

Here is a look at six stars likely to play a big part for the teams in this year's Euros.

Netherlands

Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal) - Forward

The Arsenal hotshot, 25, is currently her national team’s record goal scorer.

The forward made history in June 2019 when she became her nation’s all-time top markswoman with a tally of 60 goals after netting a brace against Cameroon.

And Miedema helped her national team to their first-ever major trophy win five years ago.

She was on the scoresheet when her team, then coached by Sarina Wiegman, dispatched Denmark 4-2 to win the 2017 Euros.

In March the Gunners star made history again when she became the first player to notch up 100 WSL goal contributions.

Lieke Martens (Paris Saint-Germain) – Winger

Martens finished the 2017 Euros as the contest’s third-highest scorer behind compatriot Miedema and Golden Boot winner Jodie Taylor.

Back then the forward, 29, won a Player of the Tournament gong for her impressive displays in attack.

The former Barcelona star has earned plaudits for her flair and trickery on the wing.

She was among the aces who impressed during the club’s 4-0 Champions League final defeat of Chelsea last year.

Since her 2011 international debut, Martens has notched up 55 goals in 136 appearances.

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

Jackie Groenen (Manchester United) – Midfielder

The Manchester United fan favourite, 27, was her national team’s player of the match when they beat Sweden in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals.

Her 99th-minute goal sealed the Netherlands’ spot in the finals against the United States.