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RAIN STOPPED PLAY

Germany’s clash with Denmark at women’s Euro 2017 postponed after huge downpour in Rotterdam leaves pitch under water

Sparta Stadium was flooded ahead of the quarter-final clash to leave a big clean-up operation

GERMANY'S clash Denmark at the women's Euros was abandoned after the heavens opened in Rotterdam.

The quarter-final was postponed after Sparta Stadium flooded following a huge downpour.

Sparta Stadium in Rotterdam was flooded by a huge downpour
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Sparta Stadium in Rotterdam was flooded by a huge downpourCredit: Rex Features
The dugouts were almost submerged by the huge downpour
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The dugouts were almost submerged by the huge downpourCredit: Getty Images
Staff worked tirelessly to try and clear the puddles from the playing area
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Staff worked tirelessly to try and clear the puddles from the playing areaCredit: PA:Empics Sport

TV pictures showed the benches almost submerged with officials filling up buckets to clear the standing water.

The match was originally delayed from it's 8:45pm local time with stadium staff desperately trying to move the puddles.

But, despite their best efforts, the match was moved to a midday kick-off on Sunday.

England take on France in their quarter-final clash on Sunday, and Casey Stoney says the Lionesses are ready to dish out some payback.

Stoney was in the Lionesses sides put out of the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Euros by Les Bleues.

But England get their chance of revenge in the Euro quarter-final showdown in Holland.

A volunteer takes a tumble on the slippery surface in Rotterdam
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A volunteer takes a tumble on the slippery surface in RotterdamCredit: PA:Empics Sport
The volunteer hits the deck after slipping over at Sparta Stadium
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The volunteer hits the deck after slipping over at Sparta StadiumCredit: AFP or licensors
The volunteer is helped up by a member of the German coaching team
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The volunteer is helped up by a member of the German coaching teamCredit: AFP or licensors

France scraped through the group stages, while England topped Group D with a 100 per cent record.

Defender Stoney, 35, told SunSport: “Everyone has to change history at some point and we feel tomorrow is the day we can.

“It would be lovely to get one over on them but it’s the prospect of getting to the semi-final — and you don’t need any extra motivation than that.

“We’ve definitely got the momentum going into this and that’s key in a tournament. They’ve stumbled to this point whereas we have got there clinically.

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Both Germany and Denmark tried to warm up on the soggy pitch
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Both Germany and Denmark tried to warm up on the soggy pitchCredit: Getty
Casey Stoney in training as England prepare to take on France in their quarter-final
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Casey Stoney in training as England prepare to take on France in their quarter-finalCredit: PA:Press Association

England are ranked fifth in the world with France No 3, but the Lionesses hit 10 goals and conceded only one in winning their three group games.

And Stoney added: “We are the top scorers in the tournament and we’ve conceded the least goals.

“France are a top side so we know we’ll have to be on our A-game.

“But I don’t think there’s ever been more belief that we can beat a French side than there is in this group now.

“We know the task ahead of us and we know what we’re capable of.”

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