The 2025 Women’s European Championship is off and working. Let’s catch you up on what’s taking place, what you have missed and what’s nonetheless to return.
We’ll replace this file all through every matchday with the hosting platform reporting, evaluation and enjoyable from the competitors.
– Women’s Euro 2025 bracket, results and fixtures schedule
The lead: Wales present they’ve so much to be taught
LUCERNE, Switzerland — It was a merciless awakening for Wales of their main event debut. In opposition to European powerhouse Netherlands, the 2017 winners of the event, Wales weren’t gifted a straightforward introduction to Euros life, struggling a 3-0 loss.
The travelling followers confirmed up of their plenty. A loud and emotional contingent sang a rendition of “Yma O Hyd” (“Nonetheless Right here”) and belted out the nationwide anthem previous to kick off. Earlier than this, the fan stroll was a valiant effort. It was no match for the devoted sea of orange that paraded to the stadium, although.
The Wales followers trailed behind, permitting the Dutch to bask within the glory first, virtually letting them cleared the path — however on the sector Wales didn’t cower or fall behind the juggernauts.
The debutants had been exhausting to interrupt down, irritating their Dutch opponents and searching like a aspect who might pull off an upset. On the finish of the primary 45 minutes, the Wales supervisor, former worldwide Rhian Wilkinson, could not have requested for a greater displaying.
However within the second minute of first-half stoppage time, regardless of their finest efforts to go into the break stage, Wales conceded to Vivianne Miedema, netting her 100th international goal. The strike sapped the vitality out of the aspect and with one other 45 to go, Wales all of the sudden appeared drained and run off their toes.
That ought to not come as a shock, although. Dutch captain Sherida Spitse has two extra caps (244) than Wales have performed worldwide video games (242) since 1993. That stat alone is reflective of simply how unfledged this staff are.
On the again foot, it was not lengthy earlier than Victoria Pelova, a 12 months after struggling an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) harm, doubled the lead after which arrange Esmee Brugts for the third.
Wales pulled off some spectacular defending — particularly from goalkeeper Olivia Clark and Gemma Evans — to forestall a worse drubbing.
Wales’ 5 pictures (none on track) had been by no means going to be sufficient in comparison with Netherlands’ 19 makes an attempt. Handed one other blow, pivotal ahead Ceri Holland was subbed off struggling what appeared like a hamstring harm, marring the remaining 10 minutes and probably the remainder of their marketing campaign.
Within the 83rd minute, the followers rang out one other rendition of the nationwide anthem, displaying that regardless of a pending loss of their opening sport, the followers had been nonetheless behind The Dragons.
There have been positives: strong defending, a newly aggressive counterattack and a grit that was unrelenting. However their harsh first style of a significant event is just not going to get any simpler. They face France subsequent on Wednesday earlier than concluding their group towards rivals and holders England on July 13. — Emily Keogh
Immediately’s prime Euro 2025 information
– Germany fear for Gwinn injury after tearful exit
– Miedema nets 100th goal for Netherlands
– Wiegman on ‘hating rules’ and ‘adapting’ for success
Sights and sounds round Euro 2025
Asllani feels the warmth as she celebrates 2 hundredth cap
Kosovare Asllani made historical past on Friday by turning into solely the ninth European participant to achieve at the least 200 caps for his or her nation within the girls’s sport. The Sweden star, who assisted Filippa Angeldahl‘s aim in a 1-0 victory towards Denmark, made her debut for her nation in September 2009 at 19 towards Romania. Lower than a 12 months later, through the 2009 Euros, she scored her first worldwide aim and she or he has added 47 extra since then. Now 35, the London City Lionesses ahead, who has additionally performed for Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Real Madrid in her fantastic profession, continues to be going sturdy and performed 83 minutes.
“I’m extremely pleased with this achievement,” she mentioned. “It’s one thing I did not need to take into consideration too early however now it is very particular. Solely two gamers have finished it earlier than in Swedish soccer historical past so I’m actually proud.” She joins Eugénie Le Sommer (200, France), Florentina Olar (201, Romania), Gemma Fay (203, Scotland), Patrizia Panico (204, Italy), Katrine Pedersen (210, Denmark), Therese Sjogran (214, Sweden), Birgit Prinz (214, Germany), Caroline Seger (240, Sweden) and likewise Sherida Spitse (244, Netherlands) — who’s the one different participant at these Euros.
After successful two silver Olympic medals and ending third on the 2019 World Cup, Asllani will hope so as to add extra silverware in Switzerland.
In the meantime, out of the frying pan and into the hearth was fairly actually how Sweden’s gamers felt after the sport, encountering a good hotter combined zone as they attended post-match media duties.
“How will you stand right here on this warmth, is that this a storage or what?” Asllani requested reporters as she used the chilly bottle of water she was holding as an ice pack on her head. “They’ve to alter this … possibly there might be a name to UEFA tonight!”
Sweden have knowledgeable UEFA of what they deemed far-from-optimal circumstances, suggesting the governing physique set up followers or one thing related to enhance the local weather for future video games on the Stade de Genève. — Sam Marsden
Angeldahl’s son blocked from becoming a member of mum
Nobody was happier to see Filippa Angeldahl internet Sweden’s winner towards Denmark of their Group C opener than her younger son. He was watching in Geneva and, at full-time, raced on to the pitch to have a good time together with his mum. Nonetheless, safety guards had been fast to implement the no youngsters on the grass rule, sending him again to the stands.
“It seems kids weren’t allowed on the pitch,” the Real Madrid midfielder advised reporters. “It was a bit unhappy, however we obtained to spend somewhat time collectively.” — Marsden
Maddli stars after each match
At each sport at this summer season’s event, there’s a very particular visitor in attendance. It is not a Hollywood superstar or a member of royalty however, the truth is, Maddli — the event mascot.
This larger-than-life Saint Bernard pet, a breed of canine synonymous with Switzerland’s Western Alps, makes an look on the full-time whistle of each match, a lot to the delight of the youthful followers out right here on the Euros.
Maddli’s title is impressed by Madeleine Boll, the primary feminine licensed footballer in Switzerland. Boll made 16 appearances for the nationwide staff between 1972 and 1978, scoring 9 targets. In 1965, at simply 12 years previous, Boll obtained a licence to play soccer with FC Sion’s boys’ youth staff. Nonetheless, months later it was taken away after the membership mentioned it had made an error, having not truly realised she was a lady. The nod to Boll, now 72, is a reminder of how far the ladies’s sport has come, not simply in Switzerland however throughout Europe.
Supporters should buy stuffed Maddli toys from merchandise stands throughout the nation; a particular memento of Switzerland’s sporting historical past.– Beth Lindop
Aleixandri targets distinctive treble
Spain defender Laia Aleixandri has revealed to ESPN she has advised her teammates to make her keep in Switzerland a “good honeymoon” as she targets a singular treble this summer season.
Aleixandri obtained married final month however needed to forfeit a honeymoon to deal with making ready for the Euros. She then sealed a “dream” return to Barcelona from Manchester City and now needs to finish a hat trick of private landmarks by lifting the trophy in Basel on July 27.
“It is one thing I’ve talked about to a lot of my teammates,” she advised ESPN. “I advised them: ‘Proper, seeing as I’m not going to have a honeymoon, let’s at the least make this a great honeymoon right here on the Euros and go on and win the trophy.’ I believe we’re on a great path and I actually hope I full the treble.” — Marsden
Cerci salutes injured Gwinn
Germany ahead Selina Cerci paid a transferring tribute to Giulia Gwinn, who suffered a knee injury throughout Friday’s 2-0 win over Poland and can miss the remainder of the event. All of the Germany went into the dressing room to share their victory with Gwinn.
Coming again out of the tunnel to salute the followers along with her teammates, Cerci, who got here on for the final 5 minutes of the match, was carrying Gwinn’s shirt back-to-front. The Hoffenheim winger, who may be very near the Bayern Munich defender off the pitch, additionally posted a message for her on social media: “Us For You – We play along with your coronary heart,” including a coronary heart and fingers crossed emojis. — Julien Laurens
UEFA hopes to smash TV data
After having launched a six-year plan in 2024 to create a sustainable ecosystem for the ladies’s sport and investing €1 billion over this era, UEFA are attempting to take this event to the following stage. Prize cash for taking part international locations has been tripled, from €16 million to €41m. For the primary time, every participant will obtain a assured bonus from their FA for participating.
The target is to get greater than 500 million TV viewers, smashing the document of 374 million from 2022. Sponsors revenues have additionally grown by 145% in comparison with 2022, with greater than 20 sponsors on board. And 600,000 tickets have been offered already, greater than ever earlier than, with 22 of the 31 video games offered out for now. — Laurens
Match previews, odds for Sunday
Norway vs. Finland
Odds (through ESPN BET
): Norway (-145), Draw (+270), Finland (+400)
Each Norway and Finland obtained their tournaments off to a successful begin, beating Switzerland and Iceland respectively to place themselves in a commanding place in Group A.
On paper, Norway are the stronger aspect, with the likes of Lyon’s Ada Hegerberg, Chelsea‘s Guro Reiten and Barcelona‘s Caroline Graham Hansen forming a part of their star-studded roster. Nonetheless, Gemma Grainger’s aspect appeared a way from their finest towards the event hosts on Wednesday evening, whereas Finland impressed towards Iceland in Thun. Norway could be the favourites, however they may definitely be made to work exhausting once they take to the pitch in Sion. — Lindop
Switzerland vs. Iceland
Odds (through ESPN BET): Switzerland (-105), Draw (+240), Iceland (+290)
Switzerland are already enjoying for his or her future of their dwelling Euros towards Iceland. After their merciless loss towards Norway (2-1) regardless of enjoying properly, Lia Wälti and her teammates actually need to win in Bern. Head coach Pia Sundhage is below large stress as her aspect is winless of their final 9 video games in all competitions (seven defeats, two attracts).
Iceland did not look nice of their 1-0 loss towards Finland. They have not gained in 10 now (being overwhelmed six instances). And the final time these two met, within the Nations League in April, it completed 3-3 with Switzerland 3-1 up after 46 minutes. — Laurens