The Euro 2025 event has been nice to date. In uncommon warmth, followers have flocked to Switzerland to cheer on their groups and data have been falling.
Switzerland‘s Group A opener towards Norway noticed the biggest attendance for a girls’s soccer match within the nation (34,063), whereas 600,000 tickets had been offered — beating all the numbers from Euro 2022 earlier than the primary recreation even started.
The hosts even made it into the quarterfinals, alongside Norway; world champions Spain eased by Group B with three wins from three, with Italy becoming a member of them; Sweden beat Germany to prime spot in Group C; whereas France and England made it from Group D, with Netherlands heading dwelling early.
Emily Keogh, Tom Hamilton, Beth Lindop, Julien Laurens and Sam Marsden have been on the bottom on the event this summer time, so right here is their evaluation of occasions to date.
Which crew have surpassed expectations?
Hamilton: Sweden got here into the event with some of the skilled squads ever assembled, and so they’ve used that to prime a tough group with a masterful 4-1 victory over Germany. Norway have additionally impressed, however other than the same old large canines of Spain and France, Sweden are creeping up very properly.
Keogh: Italy. Development from Group B behind Spain was not assured as each Portugal and Belgium have high quality, so the Azzurre have achieved nicely to succeed in the quarterfinals for the primary time since 2013. They’ve flown beneath the radar in recent times however lastly appear to be coming into some good kind.
Lindop: Sweden. Regardless of the appreciable high quality and expertise of their squad, they hadn’t been mentioned among the many favorites to win the event. Nevertheless, after profitable all three of their group video games, I believe they may very well be ones to observe. The truth that supervisor Peter Gerhardsson is about to depart may even have a galvanizing impact on the squad.
Laurens: France, undoubtedly. I did not see three wins from three coming. Les Bleues had some momentum coming into the event, with eight victories in a row between the Nations League and friendlies, however they had been so spectacular towards England and confirmed within the second half towards Netherlands that when Grace Geyoro is on the pitch and spirits are excessive, they are often unplayable. Coach Laurent Bonadei has rotated lots and France are in a powerful place.
Marsden: I’m nonetheless eating out on saying Sweden would win their group, so I can not say them given my lofty expectations! I will go for France. I believe their efficiency towards England was presumably essentially the most spectacular we have now seen to date. They rotated towards Wales and wobbled towards Netherlands, however they’re so good in assault when it clicks. Delphine Cascarino has been excellent. I might additionally make a fast shout out for Poland, too, who put up combat on debut in a extremely exhausting group.
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Which crew had been you most disenchanted by?
Hamilton: Netherlands promised a lot, however underdelivered. Supervisor Andries Jonker prompted controversy early on and ended up having a verbal slanging match with a journalist earlier than the event even began, and regardless that they performed nicely towards Wales, they had been dismal towards England. That they had their moments towards France however — regardless that it was a tricky group — it was clear the crew are prepared for a brand new coach.
Keogh: I had excessive hopes for Iceland, however their failure to select up some extent exhibits that expectation was misplaced. They misplaced their three video games by both one- or two-goal margins, relatively than a number of powerful drubbings, which is a small constructive to take. However because the highest-ranked facet in Group A (14th), a greater displaying was anticipated from them.
Lindop: Denmark have been actually disappointing. After all, they had been in a tricky group with Germany and Sweden nonetheless, even towards Poland (a facet 15 locations beneath them within the FIFA World Rating), they failed to select up a single level. Contemplating among the large names they’ve inside their squad, together with Bayern Munich ahead Pernille Harder, it has been a extremely poor event.
Laurens: Germany, for me. They missed a great deal of possibilities vs. Poland however had been additionally unbalanced tactically. Dropping captain Giulia Gwinn to a severe damage simply 40 minutes into the event was a blow, then they struggled to get their recreation going towards Denmark, earlier than Sweden destroyed them. You’ll be able to by no means rely Germany out of any competitors, however regardless of all of the attacking expertise they’ve, they’ve been underwhelming to date.
Marsden: Realistically, Netherlands had been in all probability third favorites of their group, however the method of their defeats to England and France may have been exhausting to take for the 2017 winners. I’m additionally not utterly offered on Germany; Poland created possibilities towards them, Denmark took the lead of their second recreation and Sweden comfortably beat them of their closing match.
Which participant has impressed you most?
Hamilton: Alexia Putellas. She’s taking part in soccer from one other planet for Spain, so she’s the clear No. 1 decide. However Cascarino has been immense for France, whereas it was a pleasure watching Signe Gaupset‘s breakthrough match for Norway. From an England standpoint, Lauren James was unplayable towards Netherlands and Wales, however England’s most constant participant has been Alessia Russo. Her work fee and selflessness has helped them into the quarterfinals.
Keogh: Jule Brand. Although she’s been across the Germany arrange for a really very long time, she has claimed her spot in midfield and is making it rely. She’s been concerned in 4 of the 5 objectives (two assists, two objectives) within the marketing campaign and has actually impressed together with her tenacity and passing. She’s made numerous Germany’s assaults look seamless and with a tricky tie towards France within the quarterfinals, she will probably be a key determine if they’re to succeed in the semifinals.
Lindop: Géraldine Reuteler. Representing your nation at a house Euros all the time comes with added stress, however all-action midfielder Reuteler has made it look straightforward, profitable three consecutive Participant of the Match awards to assist Switzerland guide their place within the quarterfinals for the primary time of their historical past. If Pia Sundhage’s facet are to get previous world champions Spain and make it into the semifinals, Reuteler will nearly definitely have one thing to with it.
Laurens: Kosovare Asllani. Putellas is the primary one right here, however Asllani has been superb. She has led Sweden on the age of 35 with three assists and a aim, whereas reaching the milestone of 200 caps whereas in Switzerland. One of many legends of the sport, it has been nice to see her shine on the tail finish of her profession.
Marsden: Alexia Putellas. It feels reductive to select only one! As Beth says, Reuteler is a pleasant story because the star of the house nation, nevertheless it’s exhausting to look previous Putellas. It is not simply the sheer numbers (three objectives, 4 assists), however the high quality she’s producing as nicely: the feint inside for her aim towards Portugal, the deft contact to complete towards Belgium, the backheel help Italy. She’s been phenomenal. France’s Cascarino is my second decide and likewise a nod to England’s James; she has not hit the degrees of the others persistently but, however she’s one of many gamers I might again to do one thing particular when wanted.
0:52
How Switzerland saved their Euro 2025 hopes
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What has been your favourite side of the event to date?
Hamilton: It is a toss up between the followers and objectives. I solely acquired glimpses of the Netherlands and Wales followers, however each had been magnificent and introduced a lot to the event. Spending time with the Wales followers in St. Gallen was sensible, and that reminiscence will stick with me. James’ aim for England towards the Dutch — together with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton‘s lengthy move — was excellent, whereas it is also been nice seeing the variety of Switzerland jerseys worn each on matchdays and through the week.
Keogh: The followers have been unbelievable. The final ambiance at video games has been a pleasure to observe, folks of all ages donning shirts, chanting, waving flags, and belting out songs. Even when Wales had been dealing with defeat within the first recreation, the followers started singing the nationwide anthem, and when France netted three objectives in six minutes towards Netherlands, St Jakob’s Park was electrical. Seeing so many followers (each travelling and native) get behind the game has been incredible to see.
Lindop: The fervour of the followers has actually blown me away. It has been actually particular to see the Switzerland supporters, specifically, getting behind their crew. Travelling from Zurich to Geneva forward of Switzerland’s closing group recreation and seeing the variety of followers in purple shirts on their approach to watch Sundhage’s facet at Stade de Geneve was a spotlight.
Laurens: The extent of soccer has been actually good. Now we have had a great deal of objectives and a few stunning ones, nice video games, depth, attention-grabbing tactical elements, prime teaching (and never so nice typically), good tales to inform our readers and the followers throughout have been superb too. This will probably be a Euros to recollect.
Marsden: The objectives. There have been so many (3.7 per recreation), however extra importantly there have been some absolute belters. That is removed from an exhaustive listing however if you happen to get the possibility, search out these 5: Athenea del Castillo (vs. Italy), Clàudia Pina (vs. Belgium), Cascarino (vs. Netherlands), Cristiana Girelli (vs. Portugal) and Model (vs. Poland).
What’s the very best quarterfinal? And provides us a prediction for the ultimate — who will make it?
Hamilton: France vs. Germany will probably be numerous enjoyable, whereas Switzerland vs. Spain will probably be an amazing event. Norway vs. Italy is maybe the least glamorous out of the 4, however ought to be an enthralling contest, and Sweden vs. England is properly balanced. Sweden have been one of many excellent sides within the competitors so if they’ll overcome England you’d wager on them assembly Spain within the closing.
Keogh: France vs. Germany is a quarterfinal of two European powerhouses which may nearly be a closing in itself. Each have some extent to show after underperforming in current tournaments and each are going to be with out key gamers. It seems like essentially the most even matchup between two prime sides, which is extremely exhausting to name. However the winners will face world champions Spain and it is exhausting to see them dropping.
Lindop: Sweden vs. England seems the tastiest match for me. When these two sides met on the final Euros, the Lionesses gained emphatically, nonetheless I’ve a sense it will be a a lot nearer contest this time round. I believe England may simply edge it and find yourself dealing with Spain within the closing.
Laurens: France vs. Germany has the very best rivalry — traditionally, socially and soccer sensible. The 2 groups wished to keep away from one another so long as attainable, however will meet within the quarterfinals. Nevertheless, the winners will lose to Spain within the semifinals as a result of nobody can compete with the world champions. And also you’d wager on Spain to beat England within the closing and write much more historical past.
Marsden: The hosts (Switzerland) towards the favorites (Spain) gives a pleasant narrative, however the blockbuster ties are Sweden vs. England and France vs. Germany. I am most wanting ahead to the latter. I believe France will get the higher of Germany, however lose to Spain … paving the best way for a repeat of the 2023 World Cup closing between Spain and England.