Euro 2022 is in full swing and so far the tournament is more than living up to expectations. 

England have been in magnificent form, scoring 14 goals in three games so far and conceding none. 

Meanwhile, there’s been plenty of other teams that have impressed. Germany thrashed Denmark and beat Spain in fine style, while France put five past pre-tournament dark-horses Italy. 

For most avid watchers of the competition, we’re pretty sure you’ll be well aware of the basic rules. 16 teams, four groups and eight spots in the knockout stages. Pretty simple right? 

Yet, the official UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 regulations consist of more than 18,000 words and contain a vast number of rules in the case of any potential scenario that may arise. 

Here are five interesting ones you’ll definitely want to know:

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Penalty shoot-outs

Everybody knows that if teams are level after extra time in the knockout stages then penalties ensue. 

However, penalties can also happen in the group stages. If two teams are facing each other and are level on points, goals scored and goals against, then the match will go to penalties if the match ends in a tie (assuming another team in the group isn’t also on the same number of points.) 

Unfortunately, this scenario is yet to happen in a Women’s Euros tournament and cannot happen this time around either due to the situation of the current groups. 

But it’s bound to happen at some point later down the line and we can’t wait to see it. 

Rescheduled matches

If a match cannot be completed in full, then the match will be played or finished at the same venue the following day.

Any matches that are abandoned are continued from the minute the game was stopped and teams are entitled to the same number of substitutions as normal. 

This scenario happened back in 2017 when Germany’s quarter-final with Denmark was postponed due to torrential rain. 

In the end it was Denmark who won the match 2-1, thanks to a late winner from Theresa Eslund. 

Replacing squad members

Each team in the tournament has a squad of 23 players, which was confirmed before the competition started. 

Now that Euro 2022 has begun, injured players may not be replaced, even in the case of testing positive for Covid-19, as a number of players have done so far. 

Goalkeepers are the exception and may be replaced in the case of physical incapacity, even if other keepers remain in the squad. 

Time deadlines

Teams must be wary of leaving enough time to travel as every side must be at the stadium 75 minutes before kick-off. 

Teams are told when they are permitted to warm up and the exact time they are required to walk from the tunnel. 

National anthems are also limited to a maximum of 90 seconds.

Home and away 

In each game, a team will be told whether they are on the home or away side. 

The home side are entitled to choose which shirt they wear, with the away side then picking shirts that don’t cause a colour clash. 

The referee also has the option to determine whether there is a kit clash and can request the home side change if necessary.

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