The Women’s Euros are just one week away from kicking off.
Reigning champions England travel to Switzerland as one of the favorites, despite a somewhat turbulent lead-up to the tournament. Meanwhile, Wales is set to make their debut in a major women’s competition.
We turned to Reddit’s women’s football community to gather questions, external for BBC Sport’s women’s football news reporter, Emma Sanders, to get her insights on the upcoming tournament.
Here’s a selection of the most compelling questions and Emma’s expert answers:
The confirmed Euro 2025 squads so far
Euro 2025 TV & BBC radio schedule
How do you believe England’s squad has evolved since the last major tournament, and who do you foresee as the key player this time? Reddit user: Moyesy1982
It’s an interesting dynamic. While I don’t think there’s as much depth as before, the talent pool has undeniably grown stronger with the emergence of incredibly gifted youngsters. Grace Clinton, Jess Park, and Aggie Beever-Jones are prime examples. However, I perceive a slight vulnerability in midfield and a lack of pace in the backline, issues that weren’t as pronounced in 2022.
For me, Alessia Russo is the key player. She’s had a phenomenal season, and her goal-scoring prowess will be crucial in the Euros. Of course, Lauren Hemp and Lauren James, when at their peak, are also capable of single-handedly winning matches.
As a Wales fan, what are your thoughts on our chances? hairiestlemon
Wales finds themselves in a challenging group, and it’s their first Euros. I anticipate a struggle to reach the knockout stage, but I’m particularly intrigued to see how they fare against England in that final group match, assuming there’s still something at stake. Both teams will be intimately familiar with each other.
Are there any teams or players you believe could ‘break out’ and elevate their game this summer? Volotor
I’m genuinely excited to see how Salma Paralluelo performs. She’s already a prominent figure in Barcelona and Spain, having been instrumental in their back-to-back Champions League victories, and she played a pivotal role in the 2023 World Cup.
Despite being named the young player of the tournament in Australia, I don’t think she receives the global recognition she deserves.
Her attacking threat is undeniable, and with two-time Ballon d’Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati alongside her, she’ll have ample opportunities. Given that they naturally command attention, I’m hopeful Paralluelo can once again distinguish herself in Switzerland.
Which player do you wish was participating, but is unable to due to injury or not being called up? NewAccountNow
I would have been thrilled to see Portugal’s attacking star, Kika Nazareth. I consider her a key player for them, and her absence due to a severe ankle injury sustained while playing for Barcelona towards the end of the season is a significant loss.
Despite being only 22, she has nearly 50 international caps and 10 goals to her name. She was part of the 2023 World Cup squad, a year before her Portuguese record 500,000 euros transfer to Barcelona from Benfica, which speaks volumes about her potential.
How do you think the Lionesses will handle the internal and external expectations? Do you feel there’s added pressure from the UK media to retain the trophy, or is the coverage more realistic? CosmicPenguin31
From my perspective, the general consensus among the media is that Spain are the frontrunners. Given England’s challenging group and the somewhat chaotic build-up marked by player withdrawals, external expectations seem to be tempered.
However, internal expectations remain consistently high, and I’m confident that players like Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood will demand high standards in training. Should England progress smoothly, the pressure and scrutiny will inevitably intensify, but manager Sarina Wiegman typically maintains a tight-knit environment, so they’re accustomed to that.
What’s the experience like covering a tournament on-site? Do you have any memorable behind-the-scenes moments from past Euros or World Cups? And do reporters tend to form a close-knit, travelling community throughout a month-long tournament? HakunaMateta25
It’s incredibly enjoyable, yet intense. You inevitably spend a significant amount of time with other journalists, and I’m fortunate to have formed close friendships with some remarkable individuals in women’s football. We share travel plans, restaurant recommendations, and tips for local transportation.
We often participate in various WhatsApp groups for social activities, travel arrangements, and reporting (including those dreaded embargo agreement chats). Typically, we have a free day and night between the group stage and knockout rounds to unwind and gather for a large social event, usually a dinner.
We also engage in friendly football matches against media teams from other countries, although we usually get soundly beaten because they often have several ex-professionals!
Who do you predict will emerge victorious? I believe Spain is the team to beat, but I’d appreciate your insights! AwayDays365
I concur, Spain are the clear favorites. However, I personally believe Germany will win. I have a strong feeling that after missing out three years ago, they are poised to seize the title this time.
They demonstrated impressive goal-scoring form in their Women’s Nations League campaign leading up to the tournament and possess a balanced blend of experienced players and exciting young talents. They will be confident in their ability to top Group C and make a strong start to the tournament.
How do you foresee England performing at the Euros, particularly considering the recent events? kjcross1997
The preparation hasn’t been ideal, to say the least. I’m concerned about their inconsistent form and believe they could face a tough group stage. My prediction is that they’ll reach the quarter-finals, although I certainly hope they surpass that!
Who is your underdog pick to advance from the group stage at the Euros? ejst21
My somewhat unconventional choice is Iceland. They’re in a manageable group. While many anticipate Norway as the favorites to progress from Group A, they have often struggled at major tournaments. Hosts Switzerland will face considerable pressure, but also benefit from the support of a home crowd.
I believe Iceland could fly under the radar and potentially secure second place, having drawn with both Norway and Switzerland in the Nations League this season.
The confirmed Euro 2025 squads so far
Euro 2025 TV & BBC radio schedule