The countdown to subsequent summer time’s Euro 2025 has formally begun, with the match draw revealing the trail to glory for the 16 nations competing in Switzerland for the distinguished title of European champions.
Within the historical past of the competitors courting again to 1982, solely 5 nations have claimed the trophy. Sweden, the Netherlands and England have every gained as soon as — the latter two underneath the steerage of Sarina Wiegman. Norway has earned the title twice, whereas Germany has dominated with eight victories.
The Lionesses made historical past on dwelling soil in 2022, claiming their first main silverware with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Germany at Wembley Stadium. In the meantime, reigning world champions Spain, contemporary off their overcome England within the 2023 World Cup last, are robust contenders to safe their first European title this summer time.
The stakes are greater than ever, with prize cash for Euro 2025 greater than doubling in contrast with the earlier version. The 16 groups will share €41 million ($43 million), with every federation receiving a minimum of €1.8m and required to allocate a minimum of 30% to gamers. The eventual champions stand to earn as much as €5.1m.
The match will run July 2-27, promising an exciting month of soccer as Europe’s finest battle for supremacy, and there are many storylines ready to be written and surprises in retailer. How will all of it form up? Emily Keogh has made a fast evaluation of the teams to foretell how Euro 2025 will play out.
GROUP A:Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Finland
Host nation Switzerland might be aiming to interrupt their sample of failing to achieve the quarterfinals of a significant match on dwelling soil.
With the Netherlands’ 2017 victory and England’s 2022 triumph of their dwelling nations as inspiration, Switzerland hope the sample will repeat in 2025. Nonetheless, to achieve that stage, they have to overcome Norway, a crew with wealthy historical past, together with world, European and Olympic titles. Although Norway has struggled in recent times, star gamers equivalent to Guro Reiten, Frida Maanum, Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen might be decided to return to glory.
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Finland and Iceland, each veterans of the Euros, can even be keen to enhance their information. Finland reached the semifinals in 2005, however has struggled to progress past the group stage since. Iceland, constantly showing within the Euros since 2007, has solely made it previous the group stage as soon as. Each groups might be pushed to higher their performances on the grand stage.
Total, it is a robust group to name with all 4 groups in related positions on subject and off it.
MUST-SEE MATCH: Switzerland vs. Norway, July 2
Norway and Switzerland aren’t any strangers to sharing the highlight on the worldwide stage, having been drawn collectively in the identical group on the 2023 World Cup as nicely. Their earlier encounter led to a 0-0 stalemate, however the stakes are greater right here as they kick off the 2025 Euros in what guarantees to be an exciting opener. With passionate fan bases and an electrical environment, this conflict is ready to be one of many match’s standout moments.
UEFA has dedicated to creating this version of the Girls’s Euros probably the most memorable but and with over 700,000 tickets projected to promote, the match is anticipated to shatter attendance information. Moreover, an enormous digital viewers is anticipated, with over 500 million on-line views forecasted, making it the most-watched Girls’s Euros in historical past. UEFA additionally guarantees to match the lads’s Euros when it comes to services, expertise, and analytical help, elevating the match’s general high quality and professionalism.
The opening sport will set the tone for what’s shaping as much as be a landmark occasion in girls’s soccer. With Norway’s attacking aptitude and Switzerland’s dwelling benefit, followers can anticipate an unforgettable begin to a contest that goals to redefine the requirements of the sport.
X FACTOR: Switzerland’s younger stars
With the 2025 Euros happening on dwelling soil, the Swiss nationwide crew is poised to highlight its thrilling younger expertise on the European stage. This match presents a golden alternative for Switzerland’s subsequent technology to shine towards a few of the continent’s most star-studded lineups.
The squad boasts a wealth of youthful promise, with gamers desperate to make their mark. Amongst them is 18-year-old Noemi Ivelj, Barcelona’s 17-year-old prodigy Sydney Schertenleib, Younger Boys’ rising star Iman Beney, additionally 18, and 20-year-old Smilla Vallotto. These gamers will not be solely the way forward for Swiss soccer, but additionally key figures within the crew’s fast ambitions.
Switzerland’s objective is evident: advance past the group stage and make a deep run into the knockout rounds. With dwelling help and a mix of youthful exuberance and dedication, these rising stars have the potential to etch their names in historical past and elevate Swiss soccer on the worldwide stage. The Euros might be a defining second for each the crew and its brilliant younger core, providing an unimaginable probability for them to show they belong amongst Europe’s elite.
PREDICTED FINISH: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Finland
GROUP BSpain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy
World Champions Spain are eyeing their third main trophy in a row, hoping so as to add the 2025 Euros to their 2023 World Cup and 2024 Nations League titles. Few groups can match their formidable kind because the World Cup, following a disappointing 2022 Euros that sparked a revolution each on and off the pitch.
Italy, desperate to regain their standing as a European powerhouse, will look to construct on latest progress after struggling in recent times to beat higher-ranked opponents. In the meantime, each Belgium and Portugal have featured in simply two of the final Euros: the previous reached the quarterfinals in 2022 whereas Portugal, debuting on the 2023 World Cup, has but to progress previous the group stage. However each nations have confirmed they’ll overcome robust challenges to make it to the upcoming match, making them each darkish horses to look at on this Euros.
MUST-SEE MATCH: Spain vs. Italy, July 11
With Spain, Belgium and Portugal already set to face one another within the Nations League group stage forward of the summer time match, anticipation for these matchups is comparatively muted. Nonetheless, Spain’s conflict with Italy guarantees to be an exciting encounter for followers, whether or not impartial or partisan.
Italy, as soon as a dominant power in girls’s soccer and runners-up on the Euros in 1993 and 1997, have struggled to maintain tempo in recent times. Regardless of this, video games between Spain and Italy have constantly been tightly contested. Their latest historical past features a 1-1 draw and three slender victories for Spain (1-0 and 3-2) throughout their 2023 clashes, underlining how evenly matched these groups might be.
For the Azzurre, this sport presents extra than simply a chance to check themselves towards the reigning world champions; it is an opportunity to reclaim their status as severe contenders on the European stage. If any crew is poised to unsettle Spain and probably steal factors, it is Italy, who might be decided to ship an announcement efficiency and have the final snigger on this attractive showdown.
X FACTOR: Can Spain make it 3-for-3?
After successful the 2023 World Cup and the inaugural Nations League, Spain have established themselves because the crew to beat in girls’s soccer. The European Championship stays the one main title lacking from their assortment, they usually’ll be decided to finish the set. With Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatà and Alexia Putellas spearheading a squad stacked with expertise, Spain are well-positioned so as to add the Euros to their rising checklist of honours. Few groups seem able to stopping them from reaching the ultimate — if not lifting the trophy outright.
The upcoming Nations League will function supreme preparation, with Spain set to face group stage rivals Portugal and Belgium twice forward of the match in addition to reigning European champions England. These matchups will enable Spain to fine-tune their strategy and reinforce their dominance in a difficult group.
For the remainder of Europe, halting Spain’s momentum would require nothing in need of a monumental effort. With a roster brimming with world-class gamers and a successful mentality, it is going to take one other powerhouse to disrupt Spain’s march towards what might be their first European title.
PREDICTED FINISH: Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal
GROUP CGermany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden
Germany, as soon as a dominant power in European soccer, is rebuilding underneath new supervisor Christian Wück. He led Germany to an exciting 4-3 victory over reigning European champions England at Wembley in his first match in cost, with the guests scoring three objectives within the opening half-hour. If they’ll proceed their progress and fill the hole left by the retirement of prolific striker Alex Popp, Germany might be a robust contender to achieve the ultimate.
Denmark, with prime scorer Pernille Tougher again in competition, will pose a tricky problem for Germany whereas Sweden, one other former European powerhouse, can even be desperate to cease their progress as they give the impression of being to bounce again from a number of years of underperformance. Poland, debuting of their first main match, might be the match’s underdog, with loads of alternatives to shock their rivals and snatch useful factors.
MUST-SEE MATCH: Germany vs. Sweden, July 12
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Two former champions conflict in what guarantees to be an exciting encounter. Of their final 4 conferences since 2017, the groups have drawn 0-0 twice, with Germany edging a 1-0 win on the Algarve Cup and Sweden claiming a 2-1 victory within the 2019 World Cup semifinals.
Each side are in a transitional part, coping with the retirements of key gamers whereas integrating contemporary expertise forward of the match. Accidents have additionally disrupted their rhythm, resulting in surprising outcomes and heavy squad rotations, with each constructive and detrimental outcomes.
Germany, having crashed out of the World Cup within the group stage, may have loads to show, whereas Sweden have struggled within the Nations League and Euros qualifiers, battling relegation and playoff matches to safe their spot regardless of reaching the World Cup semifinals in 2023. This makes for an intriguing showdown.
X FACTOR: Ewa Pajor lastly at a significant match
For the primary time in historical past, Poland has certified for a significant match, making their debut on the 2025 Euros after years of falling brief in Olympic, World Cup and Euros qualifiers. This milestone is just not solely a testomony to the crew’s perseverance, however can also be a momentous event for Ewa Pajor, a striker who has lengthy been one in every of Europe’s most underrated abilities on account of her nationwide crew’s struggles on the worldwide stage.
Pajor’s accolades communicate for themselves. After spending 9 prolific seasons with Wolfsburg, the place she scored an astonishing 136 objectives in 196 appearances — together with 18 within the Champions League — the 28-year-old secured a transfer to European powerhouse Barcelona. A four-time Polish Girls’s Footballer of the Yr, Pajor has constantly carried out on the highest degree however has lacked the platform to shine internationally — till now.
Lastly, Pajor will get the possibility to show her medical ending and attacking prowess on one in every of soccer’s grandest levels. For Poland, it is a breakthrough second; for Pajor, it is the long-awaited alternative to show she belongs amongst Europe’s elite and depart her mark on the match.
PREDICTED FINISH: Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Poland
GROUP DFrance, England, Wales, Netherlands
The Lionesses embark on their first marketing campaign as reigning champions, having claimed the 2022 Euros crown at Wembley Stadium. This match marks a historic second as England defend their title for the primary time, stepping right into a difficult group with the burden of expectation on their shoulders.
Regardless of reaching the 2023 World Cup last, accidents plagued the squad since, and the next Nations League and Euros qualifiers offered related struggles. Proper now, head coach Sarina Wiegman faces health considerations for key gamers Lauren James, Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Ella Toone. Nonetheless, the quartet is anticipated to recuperate in time for the match’s kickoff in July.
Their group guarantees high-stakes drama, too. Former champions the Netherlands are decided to reclaim their standing, whereas France, boasting immense expertise, will look to interrupt their streak of falling brief in main tournaments. These groups aren’t any strangers, having clashed in latest Nations League and Euros qualifiers, however France and the Netherlands have not confronted one another since 2022 — each squads having advanced considerably since then.
In the meantime, debutants Wales are the group underdogs, ranked thirtieth globally in contrast with their top-10 group opponents. The matchup between Wales and England provides a layer of intrigue, reigniting historic rivalries as the 2 nations face off on a significant worldwide stage in Switzerland.
MUST-SEE MATCH: England vs. Netherlands, July 9
It is the Sarina Wiegman derby on the European stage! Whereas Wiegman already confronted her former crew with England in final season’s Nations League, their showdown on the Euros carries a wholly totally different degree of significance.
Having guided the Netherlands to victory on the 2017 Euros and England to their historic triumph in 2022, Wiegman is not any stranger to rewriting the report books. Now, the 2 most up-to-date champions have been drawn in the identical group, setting the stage for a high-stakes conflict that guarantees to ship drama and pleasure.
This matchup is a battle for supremacy with each side desperate to show their dominance. It is the proper showcase for the 2025 Euros. Anticipate fireworks, ardour, and a spectacle that may spotlight why this match is the head of European soccer.
X FACTOR: Wales’ debut
Wales have made historical past by qualifying for his or her first main match, breaking a streak of close to misses in latest campaigns. Supervisor Rhian Wilkinson hailed the achievement as a “technology of soccer that is going to alter all the pieces,” reflecting on the crew’s spectacular run within the qualifiers.
The journey hasn’t been straightforward. Wales fell brief within the playoffs for the 2023 World Cup, dropping to Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland. In addition they narrowly missed out on the playoffs for the earlier Euros, edged out by Northern Eire on head-to-head outcomes.
Because the lowest-ranked crew (No. 30, per FIFA) within the match, Wales face a frightening problem, however their resilience and dedication recommend they’re able to defying expectations. Their tenacity mirrors the inspiring performances of underdog groups equivalent to Colombia and Morocco on the 2023 World Cup, who proved that rankings do not at all times dictate outcomes.
With their place within the historical past books already secured, Wales now have the chance to make an excellent larger assertion. A robust Nations League marketing campaign within the lead-up to the Euros might present the proper basis for an additional historic chapter. Come July, the stage is ready for Wales to seize the highlight and show that they belong amongst Europe’s elite.
