Republic of Ireland posted a 2-0 result over Poland to take second place in Group 1, Hayley Nolan and Dearbhaile Beirne getting on the scoresheet and four players from each side going in the book. Germany ended with a 100% record but did go behind to Azerbaijan, for whom Aysun Aliyeva netted. But Anna Gasper soon replied, before the Germans ran in four goals in the last half hour, Franziska Gieseke striking twice, Isabella Harting and Viktoria Schwalm once each.
Austria topped Group 2 ahead of Sweden and England, who played out a goalless draw. The Austrians beat Belgium 2-0 with goals by Viktoria Ointher and Nina Fasserbauer, while Amber Maximus missed a late penalty for the Belgians.
The Netherlands dramatically won Group 3 thanks to a 93rd-minute equaliser from Sippie Folkertsma, after Finland had gone ahead through Kaisa Collin. Czech Republic finished a point short of the Dutch despite a 2-0 defeat of Belarus in which Hana Duchácková and
Denisa Skálová scored.
Northern Ireland hosted the Elite Round Group 4 but were not able to register a point following a 3-0 loss to Italy. Flaminia Simonetti broke the deadlock with a penalty shortly before the break, with Annamaria Serturini making it 2-0 early in the second half and Martina Piemonte adding a third in stoppage-time. Spain finished 5 points clear with a 3-1 defeat of Denmark where all the goals came after the interval. Maite Oroz bagged a brace, Andrea Sánchez the other, before Josefine Krum pulled one back.
France defeated Scotland 2-0 to end their hopes in Group 5 and secure a third staight win to finish top by a five-point margin, Théa Greboval and Grace Geyoro scoring in the second half. Portugal pipped the Scots for second place with a 2-0 scoreline against Greece, Ana Capeta and Joanna Seca their scorers.
Switzerland and Norway both won 1-0 as the Swiss edged the latter in Group 6. Cinzia Zehnder scored for Switzerland just before the hour mark and Russia were down to ten when Vera Simanovskaya got a second caution late on. Marit B. Lund got the only goal as Norway beat Hungary, which was emough to send the Norwegians through as the best runners-up.
The final tournament draw takes place at 9am on Tuesday 24 May, with two groups of four playing matches on 19, 22 and 25 July. The top two progress to the semi-finals on 28 July, with the final scheduled three days later.
