England Women vs Scotland Women. Women's European Championship Group D.
Stadion Galgenwaard.
Wednesday 19 July 2017 19:47, UK
Scotland will make their tournament debut as they take on England in their opening match of the Women's Euros at Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Scots had never made it to the finals of a major international competition before their appearance in this year's tournament, missing out during the Euro play-offs in 2009 and 2013.
They make their bow in Group D of the Netherlands showpiece against rivals England on Wednesday, who have won all six competitive meetings between the two sides.
The Lionesses crashed out of the group stages during the 2013 Euros but bounced back to claim third place in the World Cup two years later.
Defender Alex Scott says the focus will be on England heading into their opening match at the 23,750-capacity venue and Scotland have nothing to lose by throwing everything they have into beating the Lionesses.
"Everything goes out of the window. It's about rivalry," the right-back told Press Association Sport. "We know it's Scotland's first time that they've qualified for a finals, and to have their first game against us they know there's pressure on us.
"All eyes are on us so they have nothing to lose but everything to gain from beating this England side so already that gives them added incentive to beat us.
"It's a special match. I think it was written on the cards that it was going to happen. It's going to be all about going out there and even if it's a 1-0 win or a scrappy one, that's fine as long as we come away with a win."
Casey Stoney is out for England after straining her hamstring. She did not take part in full training on Tuesday but is expected to be fully fit for the Lionesses second game against Spain.
Scotland are without Kim Little, Jenny Beattie, Lizzie Arnot and Emma Mitchell for the finals as the quartet are injured, which could a be a huge loss for Anna Signeul's side.
Including friendlies, the teams have met 24 times, England winning 21, Scotland two, and one draw. The goal count is 79-14 to England.
Just like their men's sides, England and Scotland met in each nation's first official women's international. England won 3-2 in Greenock on 18 November 1972.
The following June in Nuneaton, England triumphed 8-0, which remains Scotland's record margin of defeat.
Scotland's two victories over England came in May 1977, a 2-1 success in Dundee - a week before a famous Scottish men's win at Wembley - and 2-0 in March 2011 in the Cyprus Women's Cup.
Their most recent encounter was their only draw, 4-4 in the 2013 Cyprus Women's Cup.
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