Semi-finals Defined in the Women’s Euro 2025!
The Women’s Euro 2025 tournament reaches its semi-finals, and we already have the four finalist teams! England, Italy, Spain and Germany will face each other in electrifying matches for a place in the grand final. England managed to overcome Sweden in a dramatic penalty shootout, while Italy defeated Norway to secure their place. On the other hand, Spain, the current world champion, eliminated the host Switzerland and will face a fierce Germany, who knocked out France also from the penalty spot, despite playing with ten players for more than a hundred minutes. Our special envoys Emily Keogh, Tom Hamilton, Beth Lindop, Julien Laurens and Sam Marsden have been covering the tournament from the field and bring us their impressions.Quarter-final Highlights
Emily Keogh: Ann-Katrin Berger’s spectacular save, stretching to the maximum to prevent an own goal by Janina Minge in extra time, was simply stunning. Her performance was crucial in saving Germany from elimination against France. After overcoming cancer twice and being underestimated in her national team for years, Berger is the true heroine. Germany’s determination to resist against a relentless France is worthy of mention, but Berger was the heart of that fight and deserves all the praise.
Tom Hamilton: I agree with Emily, Berger’s performance was amazing. And if you’re looking for heroes, you have many to choose from in this European Championship. Lucy Bronze, with her performance for England against Sweden, was incredible. In her seventh major tournament, Bronze continues to prove her worth. She led England in the comeback and, after scoring the first goal, took charge of executing the decisive penalty in a chaotic penalty shootout.
Beth Lindop: I would highlight the great competitiveness of all the matches. Two were decided in extra time and penalties, and even the match between Spain and Switzerland, which was expected to be comfortable for the world champions, was goalless after an hour of play. This shows how close the level is and that there are no easy matches.
Julien Laurens: I don’t want to talk about France’s disaster against Germany! Let’s celebrate Bronze and her composure! Her penalty in the chaotic shootout, the intelligence to study the habits of the Swedish goalkeeper… Bronze is the heroine. She bandaged her own leg and wore the rainbow captain’s armband as a bracelet. Maybe she’s not having her best tournament, but against Sweden she was the leader her team needed at the most crucial moment. Special mention for Chloe Kelly, the super substitute with her personalized shin guards and her great penalty.
Sam Marsden: Let’s talk about Switzerland! Bern was incredible for their quarter-final match against Spain. More than 20,000 fans dressed in red joined the fan march from Bundesplatz, singing non-stop for 90 minutes and even half an hour after the elimination. On the field, the spectacle was top-notch, including the Swiss match, which kept Spain at bay for 66 minutes.
Julien Laurens reacts to France’s penalty shootout loss against Germany, which prevented them from reaching the semi-finals of the Euro 2025.
Why so many missed penalties?
Emily Keogh: Teams could learn a lot about execution and preparation. Sweden’s coach, Peter Gerhardsson, said his team didn’t practice penalties due to the unpredictable nature of knockout football, which was a mistake. Practicing, especially the order of the shooters, could have changed the outcome and saved Smilla Holmberg the responsibility of missing the decisive penalty.
Sam Marsden: It’s unforgivable that Sweden didn’t practice penalties. The penalty kick conversion rate is 58.5%, lower than the usual 80%. The penalty shootout between England and Sweden was an exceptional event.Julien Laurens: The lack of preparation or advice is noticeable in the speed with which the players from Sweden and England took their penalties. To have a better chance of scoring, you have to take a few seconds after the referee’s whistle, keep your composure, breathe, concentrate, and then shoot. Shooting immediately is never good!
Beth Lindop: These missed penalties are a reminder of the high pressure at this point in the tournament. Any mistake can be costly. It demonstrated the importance of staying calm when the situation is critical and seizing opportunities. The drama offered entertainment, and there were great penalties in the shootout between France and Germany.Tom Hamilton: It’s nerves. The Germany-France match showed that a penalty shootout can be of high quality. Overall, the England-Sweden match was a strange event. Penalties are a combination of nerves, thorough analysis, great goalkeepers and, in some cases, poor execution.
England’s players react after the dramatic penalty shootout victory against Sweden in the Euro 2025.
What did they like the least about this Eurocup?
Tom Hamilton: The cost is exorbitant and the matches at 9 p.m. Too late, especially if there’s extra time and penalties! Ideally, it would be a 6 p.m. schedule!
Beth Lindop: The heat! I’m not a fan of the heat and it’s been hard to walk around Switzerland at times. A big shout out to the players for performing in high temperatures! The organizers have done a great job, although I had to pay almost 7 pounds for a bottle of water on one occasion.
Emily Keogh: I agree with the cost. A morning coffee has cost me an average of 6.28 pounds. Added to the prices in Zurich and the lack of food for the media, it has been an expensive tournament. However, the free transport and takeaway food from local supermarkets have been a lifesaver.
Sam Marsden: Let it end so quickly! Could we emulate the men’s 24-team group stage? I love knockout football and I feel it ends too quickly in this format. There was a big difference between Switzerland and Spain, and yet they fought. Imagine what Portugal, Denmark or the Netherlands could have brought to the round of 16. I think there is enough quality for expansion without losing too much from the group stage.
Julien Laurens: Nothing! I enjoyed everything and wouldn’t change a thing. The 9 p.m. matches are the right time for major tournaments. The heat is great. The cost is expensive, but I’m sure Emily’s coffee was the best he’s ever had. I love knockout football, but I’m not sure 24 teams are the best option right now. Some teams, like Portugal, still have to improve.
Who will be the finalists?
Tom Hamilton: England should defeat Italy, and Germany is very weakened for their semi-final against Spain, so you have to bet on the current world champions. It will be an England-Spain final.Emily Keogh: As everyone will say England versus Spain, I’m going to bet on the underdogs and say Italy versus Germany. It’s an unlikely scenario, but we’ve seen crazier things in a tournament.Beth Lindop: I’m still backing England against Spain in a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final. Neither team was near their best in the quarter-finals, but both found a way, which is the surest sign of champions.
Julien Laurens: I don’t trust this England team, who haven’t played well so far, but Italy can’t beat them. So the current champions will have the opportunity to defend their title against Spain. Germany, even with their mental strength and defensive mindset, has too many problems to compete with the world champions. The final is the one we all wanted to see from the beginning: world champions against European champions.Sam Marsden: I was impressed by how well Germany held on with one less player against France, while Italy will play with some freedom as the least favorite of the remaining four teams. So, with that in mind, I’m sticking with what I said after the group stage: Spain against England.
