Women’s Euro 2025: Detailed Analysis of the Groups
In the history of the Women’s European Championship, which dates back to 1982, only five nations have lifted the trophy: Sweden, Netherlands and England, each with one victory (these last two under the direction of Sarina Wiegman), while Norway has won twice and Germany dominates with eight victories. From July 2nd to 27th, 16 nations will compete in the Euro 2025 in Switzerland, seeking to be crowned European champions. The stakes are higher than ever, with prize money that has doubled compared to the previous tournament. The 16 teams will share 41 million euros, and each federation will receive at least 1.8 million euros, with at least 30% to be allocated to the players. The champions will take home up to 5.1 million euros. Here’s an analysis of the participating teams.
Group A
Switzerland
Nickname: La Nati (The National Team) FIFA Ranking: 23 Coach: Pia Sundhage Record in 2025: G0, E2, P4 Group stage matches: Norway (July 2), Iceland (July 6), Finland (July 10) Key player to watch: Lia Wälti Fresh from Arsenal’s unexpected Champions League triumph, Wälti remains the heart of a transitioning Swiss team. With a presence in midfield, she anchors the team with authority. As captain, Wälti is the bridge between the veterans and the emerging talent. At 31 years old, she will play in what could be her last major tournament, and it is even more emotional that it is at home. She is the team’s axis. Potential breakout star: Sydney Schertenleib After a season at Barcelona, where she shares the stage with Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, Schertenleib, 18, is ready for her first major tournament. With eight matches and two goals to her name, she is prepared to take a step forward. There is no better place to do it than a European Championship at home. Why they won’t win: The lack of depth in the Swiss squad is a factor. Emerging talent like Schertenleib, Iman Beney, and Naomi Luyet bring style but little experience. Meanwhile, the team veterans, with the exception of Ramona Bachmann (injured), are aging. The generational gap is proving costly.The real possibilities in the Euro 2025: Switzerland has never surpassed the group stage of the European Championship. However, with participations in the round of 16 in the 2015 and 2023 World Cups, and a similar group to the one they faced two years ago, there is cautious optimism. Although often inconsistent against teams of similar rank, La Nati has shown that they can achieve results. Ranked 23rd in the world, they are behind Iceland (14th) and Norway (16th) in their group, but history suggests they have a good chance of progressing. With the support of the fans, this could be the year they break their curse, although reaching beyond the quarter-finals seems unattainable. – Emily Keogh
Norway
Nickname: The Grasshoppers FIFA Ranking: 16 Coach: Gemma Grainger Record in 2025: 11G, 9E, 8P Group stage matches: Switzerland (July 2), Finland (July 6), Iceland (July 10) Key player to watch: Caroline Graham Hansen With a squad full of talent, Norway faces an unusual challenge. No player has consistently stood out above the rest and, although many of their experienced stars thrive at the highest level of club football, their performances with the national team have often been poor. Even so, Graham Hansen is arguably Norway’s most instinctive and creative player, and the Barcelona winger has been a driving force in her club’s recent dominance. She brings style, vision and a nose for goals. She may also be Norway’s best hope of progressing. Potential breakout star: Signe Gaupset After breaking through with SK Brann and debuting with the national team last season, the 19-year-old Norwegian prodigy has earned a place in her first senior tournament. Surrounded by veterans nearing the end of their careers, Gaupset has the perfect opportunity to learn from the best and begin to build her own legacy. Why they won’t win: With a squad packed with stars like Graham Hansen, Ingrid Engen, Guro Reiten, Elisabeth Terland, and Ada Hegerberg (the first winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or), Norway’s current problems are perplexing. Despite the players shining at club level, the national team has been unable to find consistency or cohesion. Their disappointing campaign in the 2023 World Cup, which led to the departure of coach Hege Riise, was the latest chapter in a disconcerting decline. For a nation once considered a European powerhouse, their inability to perform despite having elite talent defies any easy explanation. Clearly, something isn’t working, and it hasn’t been for a while. Real possibilities in the 2025 European Championship: On paper, Norway’s talent is undeniable and they are the favorites to top a group in which only Iceland, with whom they drew twice in the Nations League, surpasses them. Under the direction of new coach Gemma Grainger, the team is showing signs of cautious progress, and the results of the last year show a modest improvement, including a balanced campaign in the Nations League (two wins, two draws, two losses), where they also beat Switzerland, their group rival, twice. Although recent years have marked a steady decline, they remain strong candidates to reach the quarter-finals. – Keogh
Iceland
Nickname: Our Girls FIFA Ranking: 13 Coach: Thorsteinn Halldórsson Record in 2025: G2, E2, P2 Group stage matches: Finland (July 2), Switzerland (July 6), Norway (July 10) Key player to watch: Glódís Viggósdóttir The most important player in Iceland is their captain. Nominated for the Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2024, the Bayern Munich center-back helped her team win the Frauen-Bundesliga title this season, and at 29 years old, her quality and experience will be key to ensuring Iceland enjoys a successful tournament. Potential breakout star: Sveindís Jónsdóttir Author of a superb goal against Norway in the UEFA Nations League last month, Jónsdóttir could be a player to watch this summer. In December, the 24-year-old became the first Icelander to score four goals in a single UEFA Women’s Champions League match, scoring four times in 25 minutes for Wolfsburg in their 6-1 victory over AS Roma. She has also recently completed her transfer to NWSL team Angel City FC. Why they won’t win: Although Jónsdóttir is an exciting talent, Iceland simply doesn’t have enough firepower in attack to go all the way. They haven’t scored in five of their last eight matches, and it’s hard to see where their goals will come from, which could be problematic considering they’ve only kept three clean sheets in their last 10 matches. Although their squad is solid, it lacks the star quality needed for a major tournament.Real possibilities in the 2025 European Championship: Iceland is in one of the most interesting groups of the tournament. Technically, they are the best-ranked team in Group A; however, Norway has more outstanding individuals in their squad, while the hosts, Switzerland, could be boosted by the advantage of playing at home. The competition for one of the top two places will likely be fierce, but progressing to the quarter-finals seems a realistic goal for Halldórsson’s team. Their position in the FIFA rankings suggests that they should not be taken lightly. – Beth Lindop
Finland
Nickname: Helmarit (the boreal owls) FIFA Ranking: 25 Coach: Marko Saloranta Record in 2025: G3, E2, P1 Group stage matches: Iceland (July 2), Norway (July 6), Switzerland (July 10) Key player to watch: Emma Koivisto Known for her versatility on the right flank, Koivisto of AC Milan is one of Finland’s brightest talents. After shining at Liverpool in the WSL before her move to Italy, the 30-year-old can play at full-back or winger and is key to Saloranta’s team’s way of playing. Potential breakout star: Lilli Halttunen With only 19 years old, Halttunen has a lot of potential. The Linkoping forward debuted with the national team last year, scoring in the 5-0 victory over Montenegro, and with her teammate Jutta Rantala still recovering from an injury, she could have the opportunity to prove her worth this summer.Why they won’t win: Finland comes to the tournament in good shape, but with the caveat that many of their rivals in the last year have been in League B of the UEFA Nations League, the second division of the competition. They are the lowest-ranked team in Group A and it will be a huge task for them to compete with the European elite if they reach the knockout stages.
Real possibilities in the Euro 2025: Finland has already defied expectations by reaching the Euro 2025, after defeating Scotland in a two-legged tie last year. They are in a difficult group, and logic dictates that they will probably finish last. But if they can exceed expectations by finishing higher, their tournament can be considered a success. – Lindop
Group B
Spain
Nickname: The Red FIFA Ranking: 2 Coach: Montse Tomé Record in 2025: G5, E0, L1 Group stage matches: Portugal (July 3), Belgium (July 7), Italy (July 11) Key player to watch: Aitana Bonmatí Even in a team full of talent, Bonmatí stands out. The Ballon d’Or winner is capable of dominating matches from behind or deciding in the final third depending on the team’s needs. This is one of the trophies that the midfielder lacks and, after losing the UEFA Champions League final with Barcelona, she will be desperate to recover in Switzerland. Potential breakout star: Clàudia Pina Pina enjoyed a brilliant campaign with Barça, finishing the season as the top scorer in the Champions League, and seems ready to bring that form to the Euros. She scored two goals in Spain’s recent victory against England and will be an important goal threat this summer. There are few better forwards in the game. Why they won’t win: Spain offers opportunities to the opposition. They didn’t keep a single clean sheet in their six Nations League matches this year, despite topping the group. In tight matches with Tomé, they have often fallen short, paying for a lack of effectiveness in the final third when it really matters. An example: the defeats against Brazil and Germany at the Paris Olympics last year. The defeat against England at Wembley in February continued that trend, but a victory against the Lionesses in June showed that they are still the team to beat in Europe.Real possibilities in the 2025 European Championship: The world champions hope to lift the trophy at the end of July. Certainly, there will be no complacency, but with a manageable group, it would be a big surprise if they didn’t reach the semi-finals without problems. From there, teams like England, Germany and France can cause them problems, but this is a collective of players who, with Spain and Barça, have shown their ability to perform when it matters. This is a competition they haven’t won yet, and they are desperate to change that. – Sam Marsden
Portugal
Nickname: The Navigators FIFA Ranking: 22 Coach: Francisco Neto Record in 2025: G1, D1, L4 Group stage matches: Spain (July 3), Italy (July 7), Belgium (July 11) Key player to watch: Jéssica Silva There is no doubt that Gotham FC’s forward, Silva, is Portugal’s biggest threat; the concern is in what form she will be. Silva was out of action earlier this year due to an injury to the retina of her right eye and has not yet found her best form since her return. With over 100 matches with her country, Portugal will need all her experience and talent if they want to get out of the group stage. Potential breakout star: Andreia Jacinto It could have been Kika Nazareth, but although the young Barcelona forward has been included in the squad, she could miss the tournament after suffering a serious ankle injury in March. Beyond Nazareth, Jacinto, 22, is one of the few players under 25 in a consolidated squad. The midfielder, a regular starter for Real Sociedad in Spain, will seek to take her profile to the next level.Why they won’t win: The timing of the final is not ideal for Portugal. Nazareth’s injury is a hard blow for Neto’s plans, which puts even more weight on Silva’s shoulders while he recovers from his eye problem. That has been reflected in recent results. The 3-0 defeat to Belgium culminated in a disappointing campaign in the Nations League, in which they conceded 20 goals in their last four games. With those numbers, it’s hard to see them bothering the best teams on the continent.
Real possibilities in the 2025 European Championship: Portugal, partly due to injuries and other problems beyond their control, may not have progressed as some thought in recent years. This is their third consecutive European Championship and, after drawing with the United States in their first World Cup appearance two years ago, they should try to get out of the group stage for the first time in their history. However, Spain seems unreachable and, with Belgium and Italy in better form, it will be difficult for them to reach the knockout stages. – Marsden
Belgium
Nickname: The Red Flames FIFA Ranking: 20 Coach: Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir Record in 2025: G2, E0, P4 Group stage matches: Italy (July 3), Spain (July 7), Portugal (July 11) Key player to watch: Tessa Wullaert With experience in Germany, England, and Italy, Wullaert, along with veteran defender Janice Cayman, leads this Belgian team by example. The 32-year-old Inter Milan forward has scored 92 goals in 144 matches for her country, including two in the surprising 3-2 victory over England in April. Potential breakout star: Hannah Eurlings With 19 years old, Eurlings first appeared on the international scene at the 2022 European Championship in England. Three years later, at 22, the OH Leuven attacker has the platform to make herself known to the world. If she fulfills her potential, a transfer outside of Belgium could be imminent.Why they won’t win: There is a lot of experience in this Belgian squad. Besides Wullaert and Cayman, Davina Philtjens, Laura Deloose and Tine De Caigny have more than 100 international matches. However, apart from De Caigny, they are all over 30 years old and it is difficult for them to surprise anyone in Switzerland. That said, the April victory over England shows that they can compete with the favorites.
Real possibilities in the Euro 2025: The Red Flames will aim for a second consecutive appearance in the quarter-finals of the European Championship. Behind Spain, the fight for second place in Group B should be a good contest. Belgium qualified ahead of Italy, whom they face again this time, three years ago and, although they lost against Portugal in a World Cup qualifying match, they beat them 3-0 in a recent encounter. That will give them confidence, but even if they qualify, it’s difficult for them to go beyond the last eight. – Marsden
Italy
Nickname: Le Azzurre (The Blues) FIFA Ranking: 13 Coach: Andrea Soncin Record in 2025: G3, E1, P2 Group stage matches: Belgium (July 3), Portugal (July 7), Spain (July 11) Key player to watch: Cristiana Girelli Girelli is considered one of the best players to have emerged from the Italian ranks in this generation and, with 53 goals in 118 matches, her goalscoring instinct has been fundamental to the team’s success. Now, at 33 years old, Girelli is probably approaching her last European Championship, if not her last major tournament. If Italy wants to make history this summer, the iconic Juventus forward will undoubtedly be at the center of everything. Potential breakout star: Giulia Dragoni Although she is only 18 years old, Dragoni acts like an experienced professional with experience and skill that surpass her years. She debuted with the senior national team, joined Barcelona, and played in the 2023 World Cup, all at just 16 years old. After a valuable loan spell at Roma, the dynamic midfielder is ready to take on a leading role in Italy’s quest for European glory.Why they won’t win: Italy is unpredictable, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. On the one hand, rivals have difficulty preparing to face them; on the other, Italy has difficulty finding the consistency they need to compete at the highest level. They have not been able to create momentum with a sustained way of winning, and their lack of success in tournaments reflects a team that is still looking for an identity. Despite recent progress in qualifying for the last two World Cups (after a 12-year absence), experience is still limited, and that could prove costly. Getting out of a difficult group will not be easy and, although they have the potential to surprise, don’t expect too much.
Real possibilities in the Euro 2025: Previous Euro tournaments in Italy have followed a pattern: group stage eliminations in 2001 and 2005, quarter-finals in 2009 and 2013, and then early eliminations again in 2017 and 2022. In a tough Group B alongside world champions Spain, a Belgian team that beat England 3-2, and a Portuguese team that drew 1-1 with the Lionesses recently, Italy will likely fight for second place. They have a realistic chance of reaching the quarter-finals, but anything more seems unlikely. Still rebuilding and seeking cohesion, they may struggle to keep pace with more polished teams. This tournament may come too soon for a historic breakthrough, but it could lay vital foundations for the next. – Keogh
Group C
