Meabh Russell insists the Ireland Women's Under-19s are ready to take on Netherlands in their final Group B game in the 2024 UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships.

The tournament in Lithuania has seen the Girls in Green draw with Spain and lose narrowly to Germany to set up a crunch fixture with the Dutch where a victory would send Ireland into the semi-finals (unless they win by one goal and Spain beat Germany in the other game).

The Group shows Germany and Netherlands on four points each while Ireland and Spain are on one point apiece. With only the top two qualifying for the knock-out stages those positions could be decided by head-to-head results between the teams, or then disciplinary points, or then their Round 2 league ranking.

For Head Coach Dave Connell the message will be simplified down to: go win the game. And that is what Russell and her team-mates are focusing on as they a meet a team who they previously faced in Round 1 of qualifying for this competition.

"We're really excited about playing Netherlands. It's a big match but I think everyone here is ready for it," said Russell.

"We played them before and we know that they're a really good side but I feel like we can match them. Our confidence has definitely increased throughout the week and it shows that we are capable of playing against the top teams."

Wexford full-back Russell insists the Ireland squad have more to give at these EURO Finals, especially when it comes to moving the ball in possession and creating goalscoring opportunities - as they showed in the game against Germany.

She said: "Against Spain our defence was good but we knew that we have to be braver on the ball. So when we were against Germany, we played a bit more and we felt more comfortable on the ball. We're all really excited for this match."

The game against Netherlands will be broadcast live on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player.


Ireland WU19 Squad
Goalkeepers: Katie Keane (Athlone Town), Jayne Merren (Wexford)
Defenders: Meabh Russell (Wexford), Aoife Turner (MVLA Soccer), Kate Thompson, Eve Dossen (Galway United), Aoife Kelly (Shamrock Rovers), Mary Phillips (Athlone Town)
Midfielders: Hannah Healy (Shelbourne), Sophie Morrin (University of Texas), Jess Fitzgerald, Freya Healy (Peamount United), Jodie Loughrey, Keri Loughrey (Sligo Rovers)
Forwards: Joy Ralph, Lia O'Leary (Shamrock Rovers), Ceola Bergin (Wexford), Ellen Dolan (Peamount United), Rola Olusola (Galway United), Hazel Donegan (Athlone Town)


Fixtures / Results
Monday, July 15th | Spain 0-0 Ireland
Thursday, July 18th | Ireland 1-2 Germany
Sunday, July 21st | Ireland v Netherlands, Futbolo Stadionas Marijampolėje, KO 12:00


2024 UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships
Ireland v Netherlands
Sunday, July 21st
KO 12:00
Futbolo Stadionas Marijampolėje
Referee: Olivia Tschon (Austria)
LIVE on RTÉ News Channel / Player