Women's Euro 2025: the state of the contenders (guest post)

Yash Thakur looks at some of the leading candidates to lift the trophy in Switzerland

It’s the summer of football with the Women’s Euros kicking off in Switzerland from July 2nd. The competition has had five different winners, Germany leading the pack with eight titles. England head into the tournament with a target on their back as defending champions.

16 teams are set to compete for European bragging rights. Five of the previous 13 editions have been won by the host nation, including each of the last two. The stakes are high, the stage is set and the teams are ready.

So let’s take a look at the favorites, the challengers and the dark horses (excl. England, already covered by this newsletter) heading into the tournament.

Favourites

Germany

At the risk of sounding cliche, Germany have been an example in attacking efficiency lately. 24 goals in the last five games, five straight wins, six game unbeaten run. The eight-time European champions have smoked their opponents out of water.

Under new manager Christian Wück, the 2022 runners-up have completely bought into heavy metal football with a 4-2-3-1 formation that focuses on pressing high, creating chances from high turnovers, multiple goalscoring options and transition attacks.

Their front line is fluid, moving in and out of positions seamlessly, with goals spread out across the pitch. Four of Lea Schuller, Jule Brand, Klara Buhl, Laura Freigang, Selina Cerci and Linda Dallmann are on the pitch at all times, wreaking havoc.

The 2013 champions start the game strong, scoring within the first 10 minutes in three of their last four games. In fact, nine of their last 10 goals have come inside the first half, with the aim to not let their opponents settle on the ball.

While Wück’s approach is exciting, it comes with its fair share of risks. Germany are dominant but often look like they lack control in phases, turning the game into a basketball affair. The transition defending doesn’t quite match the high octane attacking football they play.

With no Lena Oberdorf in midfield to cover every blade of grass laterally, Germany have had to rely on scoring more than their opponents. The center-back partnership lacks experience and consists of some makeshift ball playing options to spring into attacks, which makes them slightly weaker in 1-v-1 defensive situations.

This heavy focus on creating a fluid front line makes midfielder Sjoeke Nusken’s role absolutely essential. The Chelsea star will have to plug gaps in midfield and will be key in disrupting opposition play and recovering possession.

An underrated player whose performances can ultimately provide that balance for Germany is Elisa Sens. The 27-year-old Frankfurt midfielder has had a phenomenal season domestically, helping support and circulate possession. She can help the two time World Champions gain a sense of control when on the ball.

The question remains: will Germany re-calibrate during the tournament, or will they continue to outscore and win?

Spain

Spain are simply one of the best sides in women’s football. They have won the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Nations League in the last couple of years, and could become just the second side to win back-to-back Euros and World Cup after Germany.

Montse Tomé has taken the reins following the dismissal of Jorge Vilda after the World Cup. Since her takeover, La Roja triumphed in the UEFA Nations League but fell short at the Olympics. Their journey to the tournament had its hiccups along the way.

They have failed to keep a clean sheet in 13 of their last 14 international games, none in their last eight. In comparison, they had seven clean sheets in their 11 games prior. They’ve conceded twice against Belgium and Portugal recently. The defence has looked vulnerable without options to plug holes.

Their 4-3-3 formation is powered by their world class midfield of multiple Ballon d’Or winners. The trio of Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati form the spine of this side with Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey being an essential link between midfield and attack.

However, Clàudia Pina could be Spain’s trump card in Switzerland. The 23-year-old has been in splendid form of late, recording a goal or assist in 12 of her last 17 games for club and country. She even finished as the top goalscorer in the UWCL this season. The versatile forward loves to hover inside in the half spaces, playing quick combinations with the midfielders. Her positioning and movements inside the box have been sharp as well.

Initial concerns over Bonmati’s absence due to viral meningitis seem to be sidelined. The Ballon d’Or winner will join camp soon to Spain’s relief. Even if she isn’t fit for the opening game, Spain have young guns like Vicky Lopez to fill in the role.

Pressure is a privilege but thriving under pressure can be difficult. Spain are now out in the sun, with a target on their backs and will have to be on their A-game to win their first ever European title.

Challengers

Sweden

Sweden could look to begin a new cycle and call curtains on a lot of things at the Euros this year. Manager Peter Gerhardsson is set to leave his role after eight years, making way for former Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson.

Gerhardsson’s Blågult has been one of the stingiest opponents in WoSo. They are arguably one of the best sides tactically in international football. Their 4-2-3-1 with wide wingers, an affinity for crosses and a creative behemoth at the number ten role orchestrating play has been incredibly effective. Their 4-4-2 off the ball is compact and well rehearsed, but has looked rather vulnerable without Caroline Seger marshalling it.

Sweden have had a lot of consistency in their squad selection over the years, with their spine from the 2019 World Cup largely remaining intact. London City Lioness star Kosovare Asllani is still fundamental to their play alongside names like Jonna Andersson, Magdalena Eriksson, Fridolina Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius.

Real Madrid’s Filippa Angeldahl might be a rather overlooked star in this side. The 27-year-old has an excellent strike from range and is excellent at supporting offensive play. She consistently positions herself in between the lines in the right half-space, stitching play and often making well timed channel runs herself.

Arsenal striker, Stina Blackstenius, has been in a good touch as well, recently scoring in the UWCL final against Barcelona. Her runs in behind and movements inside the box are very polished allowing her to get on the end of high quality chances.

There are some question marks over Rolfo’s fitness heading into the tournament. The Barcelona star has been the leading figure for last editions semi-finalists. Her involvement will also be key in alleviating some concerns around their ability to break a low block.

They have been the bridesmaid, securing podiums or reaching the final four often but haven’t managed to get over the line with their previous generation. With a goodbye looming, Sweden will look to recreate what they did in 1984 – win gold.

France

France have been one of the contenders for every tournament since the home World Cup in 2019. Despite the backroom drama, the quality is too hard to ignore. They have reached the final four at the World Cup

Les Bleues have taken some bold decisions in their squad selection for the tournament. They’ve left out all time leading goalscorer, Eugenie Le Sommer, and captain and veteran defender, Wendie Renard. Despite this, Laurent Bonadéi’s team enter the tournament on an eight game win streak, keeping six clean sheets.

Bonadéi’s 4-3-3 isn’t vastly different from his predecessors. The wide players are primary chance creators, there are a healthy amount of crosses and the striker drops to link play while the wingers attack the space. Defensively, their 4-1-4-1 formation is geared towards committing bodies high up the pitch. The midfielders join the attackers in forming a line of five to win the ball back.

Grace Geyoro and Sandie Toletti remain the engines in midfield. Toletti is mainly tasked with making recoveries and covering ground to provide the screening presence for France. While Geyoro is excellent in progressing play with short combinations and ball carrying under pressure. The PSG midfielder excels in tight spaces with the ball at her feet.

Without their captain in central defence, France will rely on Real Madrid’s Maelle Lakrar to fill the gap in central defence. The 25-year-old is rock solid in her challenges and in defending space. Her assured passing from the back will also help France in trying to build from the back or switch it up to direct play.

Renard’s absence, however, will have a two fold effect on France. While they will miss her experience at the back, Les Bleues will also be without their most reliable plan B. The Lyon captain’s 187 cm tall presence was their primary target on set-pieces and corners. The 34-year-old center-back often turned into a forward when France trailed a game.

France will look to beat their demons without their seasoned veterans and bring home their first major title to fulfill the potential that the squad has had.

Dark Horses

Italy

Italy will be making their 13th appearance at the European championships, the joint most by any nation (also Norway). However, they have never won the title. They have even failed to get out of the group stages at the last three major tournaments, including the last two Euros.

Things looked bleak under previous manager Milena Bertolini. However, since the arrival of Andrea Soncin, Italy have looked rejuvenated. They have beaten Spain and Germany in the last year and enter the tournament having lost just two of their last 13 games (W6 D5).

Soncin adapts a flexible formation, seamlessly adopting a back three or back four formation based on the opposition. The midfielders are tasked with progression via passing while the wide players shoulder double responsibility in attack and defence. They defend in a 5-3-2 in a rather mid-block setup without an inclination to press high. Without a true ball winner in midfield, Le Azzurre usually defend with numbers behind the ball.

AS Roma midfielder Manuela Giugliano is at the heart of everything Italy do in possession. The metronome acts as the line breaker and is their primary set-piece taker. Her deliveries from dead-ball situations are phenomenal as well. She has excellent range in her passing, able to pick out runners in behind and play the long diagonals with ease. While not the quickest or a defensive monster, Giugliano holds her own with her spatial awareness off-the-ball.

In attack, while Cristiana Girelli is the primary threat and will be the main goalscorer at the tournament, it finally feels like she has an able deputy (not named Barbara Bonansea) in Sofia Cantore. The 24-year-old former Juventus star has hit the stride this season in Serie A with 17 goal contributions (11G and 6A).

Cantore is a versatile and direct attacker, who is great at carrying the ball. She works hard off the ball in helping out the fullback and kick starting attack with her carries. Her out-to-in runs and crosses are quite dangerous and will be a major part of Italy’s attacking repertoire. An inside forward in essence, Cantore’s movements in behind the defensive line have been sharp this season.

Italy can be unpredictable on their day but with some positive performances against tough opponents in recent times, this feels like the perfect opportunity to live up to their dark horse tag.

Iceland

While Iceland are unlikely to win the tournament, the Nordic nation have favorable odds to make it out of the group. Iceland is placed in Group A alongside an underperforming Norway, an injury ridden and young Switzerland and an unconvincing Finland.

Iceland play an expansive and direct 4-3-3 formation where the wingers stick very wide in possession, stretching play. The striker is the farthest forward player, serving as the target for vertical balls and trying to link play with her back to goal. Sustained possession isn’t their primary source of chance creation as the majority of their chances stem from transition play and set-pieces.

The support in transition is often provided by the creative midfielder, while the wingers fall back pretty deep in their 4-4-1-1 off-the-ball structure. The defensive idea is to deny passing lanes and force a turnover in the middle, allowing for a quick vertical outball.

Set-pieces are a major part of Iceland’s style of play. In fact, it’s arguably their biggest strength. With a squad of players taller than your Jane Doe in WoSo, every corner or freekick or throw-in is a major goalscoring opportunity. Their corner and set-piece routines consistently look to surround the goalkeeper and win the first contact.

Iceland will constantly look to Sveindis Jonsdottir to create danger for them, via her speed, ball carrying or her incredible long throw-ins. The 24-year-old Angel City FC player has trebuchet for her hands, as her throw-ins into the box cause a lot of problems for the opposition, especially on the bounce.

The former Wolfsburg attacker is the focal point in attack, linking play and using her speed to get in behind defences. Her ball striking is excellent and she can generate her own shots, making her a complete dynamite in attack.

Another key player is midfielder Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir. The 23-year-old picked up 19 goal contributions in the last two seasons playing as the supporting striker for Bayer Leverkusen. She operates as the primary line breaker for Iceland and has great understanding of supporting movements playing behind a striker. Her long range shooting is amazing and she has set-pieces in her repertoire as well.

With the key figures in all departments being in good touch, Iceland can dream. Their win against Germany and recent draws against Norway and Switzerland should provide the side with confidence to make it out of the group stage.