Spain have been dealt a blow on the eve of Euro 2025 as it was revealed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí had been hospitalised with viral meningitis. The Barcelona star missed their final warm-up match against Japan, which the world champions won 3-1, and the illness was later detected via testing.
Spain manager Montse Tomé appeared hopeful Bonmatí would still participate in the tournament, with Spain’s first game coming against Portugal on Thursday, but admitted they couldn’t know the exact timeline.
Meetings between England and Spain have started to feel inevitable in women’s football. In 2022, England required extra time to overcome them in the quarter-finals on their run to winning the tournament. Spain got their revenge 12 months later in the World Cup final. Add in the recent Champions League final where five English players featured for Arsenal and eight Spanish players for Barcelona, and it’s safe to say there is no love lost between these two teams.
There is a strong chance the rivalry will be renewed over the next month at Euro 2025 in Switzerland. Spain go into the tournament as favourites, despite an underwhelming Olympics last summer. They were unimpressive throughout that campaign, losing to Brazil at the semi-final stage and then missing out on a bronze medal against Germany.
But they remain the most talented team in the world, with Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro and Mariona Caldentey all offering plenty of threat, even if Bonmatí misses out.
Spain might have had a tricky time last summer but England, who play their final warm-up against Jamaica tonight, have had a tricky two years, although it has arguably relieved some of the pressure that comes with being holders. Expectations have diminished as a result of injuries, withdrawals and poor results, the latter of which is to blame for finding themselves in a very tough group with France, Netherlands and Wales. Having reached the semi-finals of every European Championship and World Cup since 2015, a deep run at tournaments is taken for granted, but if they get off to a slow start against France next Saturday, they could find themselves in hot water quickly.
The positive for England is that their injury concerns have receded, with Lauren James, Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway all likely to start. There has been a lot of noise around Mary Earps’ decision to retire internationally on the eve of the tournament but Hannah Hampton has been the better goalkeeper over the last year and deserves to be No 1. Millie Bright’s absence, as a result of taking time off to recuperate mentally and physically, is arguably the most damaging, but the opportunity to play a left-footed centre-back in Greenwood is not to be sniffed at.
France will be England’s first opponents and may fancy themselves. They have a reputation for failing to deliver on the global stage, never making it past the semi-finals of an international tournament, but they have been in form this year and look dangerous. Manager Laurent Bonadei has moved on a number of older players, so the pressure will be on to justify that decision.
Germany are the other team coming into the tournament on a hot streak. The eight-time European champions had to do some soul-searching after a group-stage exit at the 2023 World Cup but bounced back to claim bronze at the Olympics. Under new manager Christian Wück, they are freescoring and appear to be on the better side of the draw.
If both top their group, England and Spain will meet in the semi-finals. They won one game each in their recent Nations League group, and neither team have beaten the other by a greater than one-goal margin since Euro 2017. Expect tensions to rise in the race to stake a claim as the predominant European nation.
Starting with the four favourites, here’s the rundown of all 16 competing nations…
England
For the first time, England go in as the holders, but it has not been smooth sailing. Results have been mixed in recent months, with a loss to Belgium and a draw with Portugal, but the win over Spain at Wembley was impressive. There have also been suggestions of unrest after Mary Earps and Fran Kirby retired and vice-captain Millie Bright made herself unavailable. However, England have been boosted by some big returns from injury as Lauren Hemp, Georgia Stanway and Lauren James are all fit to play.
Player to watch: Lauren James
Euros best: Winners (2022)
France
France have failed to live up to expectations at tournaments but new manager Laurent Bonadei seems determined to end that. He has controversially left out captain Wendie Renard as well as forward Eugénie Le Sommer. Yet they are in great form, finishing their Nations League campaign as the only League A team with a 100% record. Chelsea forward Sandy Baltimore finished as their top scorer with five goals, off the back of an impressive first season in England, while Lyon striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto will hope to go well after tearing her ACL last time out in England.
Player to watch: Sandy Baltimore
Euros best: Semi-finals (2011)
Germany
Germany have won the title eight times but went out in the group stage of the 2023 World Cup. Bronze at the Olympics suggested a return to form and under new manager Christian Wück they are looking good in attack, scoring four or more in each of their last five games. They will miss Lena Oberdorf, the tough-tackling midfielder, who has an ACL injury. While a number of the old guard like Alex Popp have moved on, Sara Däbritz and Linda Dallmann will bring experience.
Player to watch: Ann-Katrin Berger
Euros best: Winners (1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013)
Spain
The world champions are favourites but a disappointing fourth at the Olympics last year showed that they can be beaten. Manager Montse Tomé took over when Jorge Vilda was sacked after the World Cup but there are doubts over whether she has the tactical capabilities to make the most of their talent. They face an anxious wait on Aitana Bonmatí after she was hospitalised with viral meningitis. Without her they are still blessed with the talents of two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, and Clàudia Pina, the 23-year-old Barcelona forward, who has a knack for scoring spectacular goals.
Player to watch: Clàudia Pina
Euros best: Semi-final (1995)
Belgium
Belgium had a positive Nations League where they beat England 3-2 and took a two-goal lead against Spain, despite eventually losing. Their manager Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir, who took over in January, was linked to the Chelsea and Aston Villa jobs last summer.
Player to watch: Tessa Wullaert
Euros best: Quarter-final (2022)
Denmark
Denmark made the final in 2017, but have not gone further than the last 16 at a tournament since. Pernille Harder remains their talisman, with 78 goals in 162 appearances. Manager Andrée Jeglertz is said to be taking the Manchester City job.
Player to watch: Pernille Harder
Euros best: Runner-up (2017) Finland
Finland have not won a game at the Euros since 2009 but their chances will have been boosted with the return of Jutta Rantala to fitness. The Leicester City forward missed most of the season through injury.
Player to watch: Jutta Rantala
Euros best: Semi-final (2005)
Iceland
Iceland are yet to win a match this year. Star player Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir excels attacking in transition and also has an incredibly long throw. With the Icelandic team having a number of tall players, expect to see it used regularly.
Player to watch: Sveindís Jónsdóttir
Euros best: Quarter-final (2013)
Italy
Italy have managed some impressive results over the past year, including draws with Spain and Sweden, but have struggled at recent Euros, not winning any games in 2022. A first real test for manager Andrea Soncin.
Player to watch: Sofia Cantore
Euros best: Runner-up (1993, 1997)
Netherlands
They come up against former manager Sarina Wiegman and future manager Arjan Veurink when they face England, but current boss Andries Jonker will want to show why they should have kept hold of him. Vivianne Miedema remains one of the world’s best on her day.
Player to watch: Vivianne Miedema
Euros best: Winners (2017)
Norway
Norway’s recent international tournaments have been chastening, summed up by their 8-0 loss to England in 2022. But there is no doubting their talent, including Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen and Ballon D’Or winner Ada Hegerberg. They are managed by Englishwoman Gemma Grainger.
Player to watch: Ada Hegerberg
Euros best: Winners (1987, 1993)
Poland
Poland are one of two debutants, having beaten Austria in the final round of qualifying. With a striker of the quality of Ewa Pajor, who hit 43 goals last season at Barcelona, they will always pose a threat.
Player to watch: Ewa Pajor
Euros best: Debut
Portugal
Francisco Neto, the longest serving coach at the tournament, has taken this side to three consecutive Euros, having never qualified previously. All eyes will be on whether 22-year-old Barcelona forward Kika Nazareth can make it back to full fitness, after she ruptured her ankle ligament earlier in the season.
Player to watch: Kika Nazareth
Euros best: Group stage (2017, 22)
Sweden
No team are more experienced, with six players having more than 100 caps. Despite not winning the title since its inaugural edition in 1984, they have reached the semi-finals of their last three. Only England have done the same.
Player to watch: Stina Blackstenius
Euros best: Winner (1984)
Switzerland
Veteran manager Pia Sundhage was recruited to help them get out of the group at their home Euros. They will be led by Arsenal midfielder Lia Wälti, while Sydney Schertenleib and Iman Beney, who has joined Manchester City, are worth watching.
Player to watch: Sydney Schertenleib
Euros best: Group stage (2017, 22)
Wales
This is the fulfilment of a long-held ambition to reach a major tournament after a number of close calls. They will be big underdogs in the “Group of Death”, but could have an impact on the final outcome.
Player to watch: Jess Fishlock
Euros best: Debut
Photograph by Europa Press via AP