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The Women’s Euro 2025 starts on Wednesday in Thun and ends in Basel on Sunday, 27 July.
One of the 16 teams competing in the tournament, which will consist of 31 matches spread over 26 days, is England, Holders.
Who will lift the trophy this time? Who are the favorites? And how will England and Wales do, as they begin in Group D with France and the Netherlands?
Who will win Euro 2025?
Ellen White, England’s all-time top female goalscorer, genuinely believes that they can defeat anyone on any given day. They have got a great and talented squad. We have a talented group, and I believe we can win, despite the fact that there are other excellent teams out there.
Former England midfielder/defender Anita Asante: Germany are quietly going about their business. They are well-known for winning this competition, and their popularity may soon be back.
England’s most-capped international Fara Williams: I am torn between Germany and Spain. I’m going to favor Spain because of their momentum following their World Cup victory. With the players they have got and the squad as a whole, their depth is probably the best in the tournament.
Alex Scott, a former England defender, says “england.” I know Spain are favourites, but I think with everything going on with the announcement of retirements and some players not playing, sometimes that can galvanise a team and I’m hoping England prove everyone wrong and retain that trophy.
Ex-Manchester City and England U21 defender Nedum Onuoha: Given that they are world champions and that so many different sides have shown inconsistent behavior during this European campaign, it’s difficult to not pick them. Spain have that quality and it will be very tough to beat them.
Helen Ward, the former Wales striker, says it’s too difficult to look past Spain. They are such a good side with balance, talent and youngsters coming through. They are my firm favorites, in my opinion.
How likely are England’s chances?
Nedum Onuoha: I have genuine belief that England will get out of the group. Although it may not be glamorous, I believe they will likely come out on top. With the path they will be on, I think the game they might lose would be a semi-final appearance against Spain, but realistically anything can happen.
Anita Asante: We trust Sarina despite the fact that England is a very tough country. I think they can get to the final. Players retiring and resigning will be difficult, but this could be the generation to fill those positions and bring it about. If they get out of the group stage, everything is possible.
Fara Williams: I hope England will win the championship, but hope is the key. I think England and France will progress out of the group. I’m hoping England comes out on top and that we will reach the semi-finals. If we finish second we are in trouble because we will get the Germans in the quarter-finals.
Steph Houghton: I believe England will reach the championship match. Our group is tough in terms of the competition with three different types of opponents, but I really do believe in the quality and the strength in depth in the squad. particularly in the forward regions. I think England will play Spain in the final.
Danny Gabbidon: As a Welshman, I’m hoping that England doesn’t make too much progress. They are a fantastic team. They are the winners, and their lineup is so talented. They have had a little bit of upheaval, but you would expect them to be there or thereabouts at the end of the tournament. They lead the second-best team behind Spain.
How far will Wales go?
Danny Gabbidon: I’m hoping Wales go all the way and win it, but being realistic with it being their first tournament I’m going to say something similar to what I said when the men qualified for Euro 2016 – if they can get out of the group that would be a really good achievement with how difficult that group is. That would be a fantastic accomplishment if they were to leave the group.
Nedum Onuoha: I feel for Wales because they have been so unlucky to end up in this group with Netherlands, France and England. In each of those games, they are the underdog. But I think they will get a win, I just don’t think it will be enough to get them out of the group. I anticipate that they will face a very difficult opponent, especially England. With a strong start, they could be playing for a place in the knockouts in that final game. However, I don’t see them leaving the groups.
Fara Williams: I am rooting for Wales. It’s always important to show our support for the development of home countries during their first tournament. I think they will go out in the group stages. They are a tough group, and they are likely to finish last overall. Those Welsh players will give absolutely everything for the badge. Their nation is everything to them, despite having played for a select few at the club level.
Alex Scott: I think it is epic they have reached their first major tournament and I’m all for that feeling that it can bring you together. They have been waiting a while. I hope they can be a dark horse and surprise France and the Netherlands.
Steph Houghton: I believe Wales will face challenges, but they have already accomplished incredible things to win this tournament. To be involved in a group full of experienced teams at the highest level is going to be tough, but with this Welsh side I know they will never give up so it could be a surprise one for us all.
The dark horse might be who?
Nedum Onuoha: Although Sweden won’t be one of the top-ranked teams, they are a very difficult opponent to play against due to their aggressive play and their tendency to win major international competitions. I wouldn’t be surprised for them to go further than some people expected.
Fara Williams: We saw what Switzerland did for England in 2022, and this can really help them. They have a few good individual players and the backing of the home crowd. They have a very experienced manager]Pia Sundhage] who will allow that balance for the players to experience what the home support is as well as keeping them focused. They belong to a good group.
Steph Houghton: Sweden might be dark horses. Although they are not well known, they always find a way to reach the post-final stages thanks to a large number of players with extensive experience.
Helen Ward: I think Wales are going to throw a few surprises at the tournament. Expect heart, passion, desire, companionship, and a genuine example of the true underdog. The biggest thing is the passion. They will give it everything and make no changes.
Anita Asante: Norway have had such a bad showing of themselves in recent Euros, but on paper the squad is unreal. This might be the one they finally get right, and it just blends and blends together.
Danny Gabbidon: I saw Italy in the Nations League as they were in Wales ‘ group and I was really impressed. They defeated Wales, and they played excellent football. They are really organised and good off attacking set-pieces with lots of variation so I fancy Italy to surprise a few people.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Claudia Pina has been fantastic for Barcelona and Spain, according to Helen Ward. She doesn’t always start, but she comes on and makes a big impact. She is young, exciting, talented, and in top form right now. She has a goal in her sights.
Danny Gabbidon: Alessia Russo had a fantastic season for Arsenal with more than 20 goals. She has won the Champions League and is confident entering this competition. She is going to be the one leading the line for England and with the quality players around her creating chances you would expect her to be there or thereabouts for the Golden Boot and you would expect England to go deep in the tournament which helps with that.
Anita Asante: Given that I’ve chosen Germany as my country’s potential winners, Klara Buhl will have to be my choice.
Fara Williams: I’d love Alessia Russo to win it if she can carry on that form. Russo wins if England wins in the end. If not, I’m going with Pina.
Claudia Pina will be my choice, Nedum Onuoha. Whether or not she starts is not guaranteed, but you have seen the quality of her finishing and the impact she can have and the clinical nature she has, I think she is going to be a big part of their success.
Alessia Russo, presumably, will win the Golden Boot, according to Steph Houghton. That is what I want.
Who could have a breakthrough tournament?
Michelle Agyemang is what I’m going to say, Nedum Onuoha. I think Sarina Wiegman has seen her quality and given how tough England’s games will be throughout the tournament, she could be someone that comes on and makes a difference towards the end of matches when people are tired and people are playing against her probably for the first time on most of these occasions. She can undoubtedly be the spark with her level of talent.
Anita Asante: If Grace Clinton gets a chance it could be her tournament. Otherwise, I’d like to see Aggie Beever-Jones break through and demonstrate everything that is already known. She has had an exceptional season, her goal-to-minutes ratio is ridiculous in the WSL. Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly from England’s previous competition can be seen in her.
Fara Williams: We saw what Claudia Pina did for Spain when she came off the bench against England in the recent Nations League game. Although she won’t start for the Spanish team frequently, I believe she will.
Helen Ward: Wales ‘ Carrie Jones could have a breakout tournament. She is a young talent who plays for her club side in Sweden. That has brought her game on a lot. She has the potential to make a big impact, even if she doesn’t start every game for Wales.
Alex Scott: There are a few young players that we need to keep an eye on. For [Spaniard teenager] Vicky Lopez, this might be a breakout event. When you look at the Spanish team they are stacked and Aitana Bonmati is just class with her elegance on the ball. She will be able to control the midfield and glide effortlessly without much effort.
related subjects
- UEFA Women’s EURO
- Football
- Women’s Football
Source: BBC
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