The Assist: Euro 2025 heats up

Wrapping up the group stage and honing in on the eight nations set to contest the quarterfinals.

July 16, 2025

With GirlsOnTheBall on the ground providing their expert insights and exclusive photography from the tournament we hope you enjoy another special edition of the newsletter.

Group A

Perhaps the easiest or least difficult depending on who you ask, Group A provided some pleasant surprises and equally frustrating performances. 

Switzerland have thrilled the home crowds with a series of gutsy displays to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in their history. Their unexpected success has caused a surge of support with fans filling the stadia, fan zones and streets whenever they play. 

Both Pia Sundhage's team and Finland impressed with their clear style of football, courageous young players and their fearless approach to every game. The Helmarit had achieved plenty themselves with their win over Iceland being their first in a European Championships for 16 years. It was perhaps fitting that it was then these two who battled it out to secure second spot.

In one of the more dramatic games of the tournament so far, Switzerland broke Finnish hearts with a 92nd equaliser to send Marko Saloranta's side home.

Norway, as expected, topped the group with three wins from three but they have been far from convincing. Gemma Grainger's team remain a conundrum, a collection of stars that seem unable to become a sum of their parts. They had to come from behind against Switzerland (2-1), resist long periods of Finland pressure (2-1) and edge past Iceland, holding off a late comeback (4-3). Finishing first has, on paper, handed them an easier route in the knockouts, with Italy up next. 

It has been a disappointing ten days for Iceland. They were unable to dictate any of their matches, losing all three, although their fightback against Norway will give them something to build on.

Group B

Spain have done nothing to dissuade the bookies who’d made them tournament favourites before a ball had even been kicked at these Euros. Winning every game and scoring 14 goals along the way, their dominance in Group B has come as little surprise. Alexia Putellas looks back to her very best with three goals and four assists so far while La Roja are offensively firing on all cylinders. Montse Tomé's side do, however, look fragile at the back and were exploited on the counter by both Belgium and Italy. 

Italy were picked out as many people’s dark horses for the tournament, us included. While they haven’t dazzled, they have gone about their business, showing flashes of brilliance along the way. They are creative and technical but have perhaps showed a lack of physicality, particularly in midfield. Andrea Soncin's side have improved, though, and managed to create a number of chances in losing 3-1 to Spain.

Belgium, the first team in the group to confirm their exit, once again displayed a lack of consistency. They were good in transition but lacked solidity or structure in defence and were exposed with ease. 

Where to begin with Portugal. They kicked off the tournament in the worst possible one, a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Spain. Dealing with the tragic passing of Portuguese star Diogo Jota would have made for a difficult day all around. They did show some fight against Italy but conceded early to the Belgians in the final game, leaving themselves with far too much to do.

Whether it’s Signe Gaupset’s two goals and two assists on her major tournament debut for Norway vs. Iceland, or Ella Toone’s 100% pass completion rate vs. Wales, the group stage threw up a number of eyebrow-raising statistics. But perhaps the best performances have come from former Ballon d’Or Alexia Putellas, who has seven goal contributions in her three games, and tops the FotMob charts with an average rating of 9.31!

Group C

Group C was pretty much done and dusted after two rounds as Germany and Sweden eased through while Denmark and Poland went home. It came down to a dramatic straight shoot-out on the final match day to decide who would claim first place.

In one of the most entertaining games of the year, Sweden breezed past 10-player Germany to secure their first win against them in a Euros at the seventh time of asking. Peter Gerhardsson's experienced side have looked like a strong, cohesive unit that have only improved as the tournament has progressed. Their aerial ability was on full display with their three headed goals against Poland while the pace of the attack, particularly through Johanna Rytting Kaneryd down the right, has proved fruitful. One warning sign was the manner of Germany's goal and the way Jule Brand was able to turn on the burners through a rather slow defence.

Germany have been in fine form this year but despite securing two wins from three, they’ve failed to set the tournament alight. There is no doubt about the quality they possess in attack but they have, as yet, been unable to find any real rhythm. At the other end of the pitch, they look frail. Losing leader Giulia Gwinn to a knee injury in the first game was a serious blow. Carlotta Wamser's red card for deliberate handball having made a save on the goal line has given manager Christian Wück a further headache given she was Gwinn's replacement at right-back. 

It has been a tournament of firsts for Poland and securing their first win at a Euros (against Denmark) was particularly important. They depart having given a very good account of themselves.

For the Danes, however, 2025 will go down as their worst-ever showing at a European Championships, with three straight defeats. Manager Andrée Jeglertz is moving on to pastures new and it is perhaps time for a rethink ahead of the World Cup cycle.

Group D

Without doubt this was the Group of Death, and it certainly lived up to its billing.

France eventually won it despite a topsy turvy finale against the Dutch. They hit the ground running with an eye-catching victory over England before hitting nine goals combined in wins over Wales and the Netherlands. Delphine Cascarino has been the one to watch so far with two goals and two assists in as many appearances. Laurent Bonadei's side can struggle to adapt to in-game situations but certainly have enough firepower both in the starting XI and off the bench. Everything seems remarkably peaceful behind the scenes.

England's title defence got off to the worst possible start with that opening day loss. They bounced back in style and outclassed both the Dutch and the Welsh to set up a quarterfinal with Sweden. Sarina Wiegman has tinkered with her starting XI to bring out the best of her players. Lauren James has shone down the right, toying with whoever is sent out to mark her. Ella Toone, meanwhile, is having a massive impact back in the number 10 role.

In contrast, it has been a week of chaos for the Netherlands on and off the field. They started promisingly enough against Wales as Vivianne Miedema registered her 100th international goal. But things rapidly went downhill. All is not well behind the scenes with coach Andries Jonker already set to depart this summer. Daniëlle van de Donk was surprisingly dropped to the bench against England and there was a difference of opinion between the player and manager about whether she was fit to play. Miedema was then left on the bench for the defeat to France. The fall out could get messy.

Wales' first major tournament appearance has clearly left them hungry for more. There will be so many learnings for the lowest-ranked team at the Euros to take back with them. Jess Fishlock scoring their first goal was written in the stars. It remains to be seen if, at 38, this was her last hurrah in a Welsh shirt.

While they faced a favourable draw, Switzerland have caught the eye and created a wave of enthusiasm around the host nation. Getting to the knockout stages for the first time was one thing, but the way they have done it with their style of football and tenacious youngsters has impressed.

There were worries about how Pia Sundhage’s team would perform after coming into the tournament without so much as a win since October 2024. Their opening day performance against Norway won over hearts and minds despite defeat and an impressive win against Iceland and dramatic draw with Finland saw them through. 

Three-time Player of the Match Géraldine Reuteler and soon-to-be Manchester City full-back Iman Beney have caught the eye as has Barcelona youngster Sydney Schertenleib while centurion and captain Lia Wälti has been leading by example.

With the quarterfinal line-up set, we can now look ahead to four much-watch fixtures.

Norway vs. Italy: Both nations will be eyeing tonight’s meeting with relish, knowing that either one of them have a really strong chance of reaching the final four. They have not played each other often but were in the same Euro qualification group back in 2024 where they played out two draws. This should be another competitive encounter. 

Sweden vs. England (Thursday): These two know each other very well. There is no doubt that Peter Gerhardsson’s side will be targeting revenge for their comprehensive semi-final defeat by the Lionesses at Euro 2022. Both sides have firepower; both have defensive frailties. It will be fascinating to see who prevails.

Amazingly, Sweden are unbeaten in a full calendar year.

Spain vs. Switzerland (Friday): Coming up against World Champions Spain may feel like somewhat of a foregone conclusion for the host nation, a real David vs Goliath encounter. After making history in front of a passionate home crowd, however, this is a moment to embrace not fear. Their support in Bern will play a massive part in the outcome of this one.  

France vs. Germany (Saturday): This meeting between old foes is a mouth-watering way to round off the quarterfinals. Germany have the upper hand in the head-to-head record and knocked France out at the semifinal stage in 2022. France, however, were victorious when this the last time these two sides met in the Nations League. It will inevitably be a competitive and unpredictable encounter. 

With every passing major tournament the number of fan groups grow in number. We’re used to the sea of orange as the Dutch dance left and right on the march to the stadium. The Swedes in yellow who bounce up and down in the stands with their relentless drumming and singing of Abba numbers has become a much-welcomed norm. And the Icelandic thunderclap ringing around the ground post-match can still send a shiver up the spine. This time, it’s the turn of the Swiss, who have been turning up in numbers ahead of their games, filling the beautiful, picturesque streets of Bern, Basel and beyond with red. The drone pictures that have been floating around almost bring a tear to the eye. This is what hosting a major tournament is all about.