Euro 2022: Six stars to watch

The Women's European Championship begins on Wednesday and here are half a dozen players to look out for over the course of the tournament which runs until 31 July in England.

Alexia Putella (Spain)

Reigning Ballon d'Or winner Putellas is the heartbeat of Barcelona's team and helped them win another three trophies this season.

She has grown with Barcelona in the decade following her debut and will arrive at the Euros at the peak of her powers.

Putellas chipped in with 18 league goals and top-scored with 11 in the Champions League, all from midfield, and will be surrounded by familiar faces in the national setup, with Aitana Bonmati, Irene Paredes and Claudia Pina among nine Barcelona players in the squad.

Their connection will bode well for Spain, who will rely heavily on captain Putellas to lead the way as they target a first European Championship.

Guro Reiten (Norway)

Top scorer for two seasons with LSK Kvinner, Reiten was not well-known outside of her native Norway until she joined Chelsea after the 2019 World Cup.

The left-footer quickly established herself as one of the most important attacking players in the Women's Super League, teeing up goals for the likes of Sam Kerr and Pernille Harder.

Her long-standing relationship with Norway striker Ada Hegerberg, who made her long-awaited return to the international scene in April, will no doubt be a great benefit to Martin Sjogren's side at the Euros.

Stina Blackstenius (Sweden)

One of the most sought-after signatures in women's football when her contract at Swedish club BK Hacken was up, Blackstenius plumped for Arsenal and has settled in seamlessly at the north London side, forming a seamless partnership with Vivianne Miedema.

Technically gifted, the superb timing of her runs