With the Nations League group stage coming to a close, we take a look at the 16 teams taking part in the European Championship this summer to see how they are shaping up:
Spain’s second-half comeback against Englandwill have sent out warning signals. “The team has ambition and character,” manager Montse Tomé said. “To turn around an adverse scoreline against a top-level team like England … says a lot about the mentality of the players.” The forward Esther González is in rich form with seven in her last 10 for Gotham FC while Clàudia Pina will be a player to watch. The 23-year-old changed the game from the bench against the Lionesses, scoring twice. Their weakness lies in defence with both Irene Paredes and Laia Aleixandri struggling against more direct forwards.
Results: Belgium 1-5 Spain; Spain 2-1 England
Germany cruised to the Nations League semi-finals, with a confident defeat of the Netherlands catching the eye. The Bayern Munich forward Lea Schüller has stepped up since Alexandra Popp’s retirement. However, Lena Oberdorf has been ruled out after failing to recover from an ACL injury. There have been recent murmurings of discontent with manager Christian Wück. Felicitas Rauch was recently dropped from the team and posted on Instagram: “I am very disappointed! It’s always a great honour to play for Germany ... not inviting me is one thing. Not informing me and not even giving me a reason, I just don’t understand. Here I wish for a much more transparent communication.”
Results: Germany 4-0 Netherlands; Austria 0-6 Germany
It has been a difficult week with three senior players dropping out of Euro 2025 contention five weeks before the tournament.Mary Earps’ retirementwas a huge surprise and leaves the goalkeeping unit lacking in experience.Fran Kirby followed suitafter being told she was not going to make the squad beforeMillie Bright ruled herself outstating that she is “not able to give 100% mentally or physically”. Nations League results have fluctuated, ending witha strong win over Portugalandnarrow defeat by Spain. Jess Park, Grace Clinton and Aggie Beever-Jones have bedded into the squad while Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway have returned from injury. A question remains over Lauren James although Wiegman remains confident she will be fit. “She is on the pitch [training] and still in the position that we expect her to be”, the head coach said.
Results: England 6-0 Portugal; Spain 2-1 England
Drama never seems to be far from France. Laurent Bonadei recently caused shockwaves bydropping Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer, his captain and vice-captain, as well as the midfielder Kenza Dali. “These are tough choices,” Bonadei said. “It’s a decision that’s hard to hear, hard to understand and almost impossible for them to accept because they’re legendary players.” Griedge Mbock was named captain and France completed an unbeaten Nations League campaign. Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani will be key, as will the impressive form of Sandy Baltimore.
Results: France 4-0 Switzerland; Iceland 0-2 France
Sweden’s conclusive win over neighbours Denmark on Tuesday will have increased confidence in Peter Gerhardsson’s side. Stina Blackstenius’s hat-trick was a stand-out, while Lina Hurtig made a goal-scoring return. There was significant concern over an ankle injury to Fridolina Rolfö although a statement later said there was no fracture and she would return to Barcelona for monitoring. They continue to be steady and will always be in contention, but are yet to set the world alight, illustrated by three draws in this campaign.
Results: Italy 0-0 Sweden; Sweden 6-1 Denmark
The final week of their group was a disappointment. A heavy defeat by Germany and a draw with struggling Scotland is far from the best preparation. Big questions remain over the fitness of the captain Vivianne Miedema who left camp before the Scotland game. The forward Lineth Beerensteyn was also absent with injury. A positive, however, was the return of goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar against Scotland. “We all have to be calm,” said the manager Andries Jonker. “Sometimes it happens to teams that they lose their thread. That is why it is good that we now have a break.”
Results: Germany 4-0 Netherlands; Netherlands 1-1 Scotland
A confident win over Wales to secure their League A status will have done wonders. Andrea Soncin’s team have beaten Germany and Denmark and drawn with Spain and Sweden in the last 12 months, proving they can test any side on their day. Cristiana Girelli’s brace in Swansea showed the veteran still has plenty to give. Aurora Galli recently played for the under-23s as she continues to return from an ACL injury. Can she make the cut?
Results: Italy 0-0 Sweden; Wales 1-4 Italy
With just two wins in six – both against Switzerland – it has been a disappointing Nations League for Gemma Grainger’s Norway. There is an abundance of talent on paper with the likes of captain Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen and Frida Maanum but the struggle to realise it continues. The positive will be that Guro Reiten and Graham Hansen have returned while they possess good strength in depth. They will be confident of topping their group, but questions remain over how deep they can go.
Results: Norway 1-1 Iceland; Switzerland 0-1 Norway
Denmark’s indifferent form under Andrée Jeglertz continued this month and their 6-1 defeat by Sweden was chastening. An over-reliance on Pernille Harder remains an issue, no matter how often their captain shows up for her side. As with several managers involved in the tournament it will be Jeglertz’s last hurrah with the Danes. Group C at the Euros will be no picnic, with Germany, Sweden and Poland in their way.
Results: Denmark 1-0 Wales; Sweden 6-1 Denmark
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The captain Tessa Wullaert remains the difference-maker. Her double against Portugal on Tuesday was a signal, as it was intheir win over England. On their day, Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir’s side can trouble any team. Consistency is lacking, however, and they have suffered some heavy defeats in the last year that will serve as a warning before a difficult group.
Results: Belgium 1-5 Spain; Portugal 0-3 Belgium
This campaign has been a tale of two halves for Francisco Neto’s side. After a positive start Portugal have gone on a downward spiral, conceding 16 in their last three matches. Far from good preparation for the summer, they remain without their star player Kika Nazareth who injured her ankle in March and is unlikely to come back in time. A positive is the return of Jéssica Silva, who has recovered from an injury to her retina that left her unable to see.
Results: England 6-0 Portugal; Portugal 0-3 Belgium
Iceland should be feeling content with how they have performed. They have proven hard to break down in every game, coming away with four draws and two defeats (both to the favourites France). A lack of attacking threat remains for Thorsteinn Halldorsson with Sveindís Jónsdóttir their only real outlet up front.
Results: Norway 1-1 Iceland; Iceland 0-2 France
Hosting a major tournament can do wonders for any team but Switzerland’s form is far from impressive. Defeats by France and Norway at the end of the campaign will have done little to improve optimism. Teenager Sydney Schertenleib remains one to watch but too many of their experienced core of players are out of form. Questions remain over whether Luana Bühler can recover from injury in time, having been out since March.
Results: France 4-0 Switzerland; Switzerland 0-1 Norway
Poland have done exactly what was asked of them, securing promotion to League A. Nina Patalon’s team will be underdogs going into their first major tournament but they have players that will catch the eye. Hopes rest on captain Ewa Pajor, who has had a remarkable first season at Barcelona, scoring 43 goals in 45 matches. The 23-year-old Paulina Tomasiak has stepped up with goals.
Results: Northern Ireland 0-4 Poland; Poland 3-0 Romania
It will have been a frustrating time for Finland, who failed to secure direct promotion to League A. While Eveliina Summanen has made a vital return, worries over the fitness of Jutta Rantala remain. The 25-year-old is a key playmaker for Marko Saloranta’s side but has missed most of the season through injury. She was, however, back training with the team over the last fortnight and hopes remain that she can recover in time.
Results: Belarus 0-3 Finland; Finland 1-1 Serbia
Adecisive defeat by Italywas described by the head coach, Rhian Wilkinson, as “a punch in the face”. It will remind Wales to guard against complacency. Despite not registering a win in League A, there were positive performances ahead of their first major tournament, but they lack a clear goal-scorer. Jess Fishlock continues to lead by example. Sophie Ingle has returned to training after suffering an ACL injury and, if she makes it, she will bring much-needed experience and quality.
Results: Denmark 1-0 Wales; Wales 1-4 Italy
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