The Euro Cup in Switzerland: A jungle full of beasts for Spain

Some want revenge like Germany, others want to repeat and extend their dominance like England, others consider their time has come, like France, Norway believes it has served its due time, and the Netherlands doesn't want to be a flash in the pan or for its football to wither away. All want to rule in a jungle filled with beasts.

Germany The refounded pride of Germany

“In football, eleven play against eleven, and Germany always wins.” Lineker's phrase was very relevant in women's football, where the Mannschaft won eight European Championships between 1989 and 2013. However, they stopped in 2016 after winning Olympic gold in Rio. They haven't celebrated since. In 2022, at Wembley, England defeated them in extra time in the final, and a year later, at the World Cup, they didn't even advance to the round of 16, crashing out. The bronze in Paris didn't please Germany either.

Big problems call for catastrophic measures, thought Wück, the coach who took over the team less than a year ago. He's left out forward Anyomi, who scored 14 goals for Eintracht, and defender Rauch for criticizing his system. And that overhaul is starting to bear fruit.

Germany is unbeaten in 2025 and is once again scoring with ease. Jule Brand, who just signed for Giráldez's Olympique Lyonnais, and Bayern players Lea Schüller and Karla Bühl usually line up in attack, where they have no shortage of talent with Freigang, Selina Cerci, and Cora Zicai coming on strong. Germany's proximity to Switzerland makes it a second host, and they already know that in the last two editions, England and the Netherlands were prophets on home soil. This time, the English and the Dutch form, along with France, the group of death. Only two will advance.

England The English streak goes even further.

It seems that everything Sarina Wiegman touches works like magic. Only Spain has been able to stop her England side. They did so in the World Cup final, the Nations League final, and at Cornellà in June. The English are defending the throne they won at home three years ago and must do so without goalkeeper Mary Earps, center back Millie Bright, and midfielder Kirby, who have put their international careers on hold.

They have barely noticed the departure of the three. Lauren Hemp (City) and Lauren James (Chelsea) are two of the most unbalanced wide players there are, in the center Beth Mead (Arsenal) sees football like few others between the lines (her assist was for the goal in the Champions League final) and the goalscorer Russo, also a Gunner, is on a roll: 20 goals this season.

Netherlands The 'other England' does not forget

The 'other England' hasn't forgotten. The Netherlands, led by Jonker, Van Gaal's former assistant, has lost ground on the international scene, but only as a national team. Ten of the 23 players called up play in the English league and are familiar with their second opponent. Among them is goalkeeper Van Domselaar, a Champions League winner with Arsenal.

Jackie Groenen also played for Chelsea and United, but in 2022 she signed for PSG. The midfielder oozes personality, to the point of playing with Cruyff's number 14 on her back. She was already in the team that won in 2017, like the legend Spitse, a midfielder who has 244 caps after making her senior debut in 2006. Groenen is the spark, she is the resilience.

France Changing of the guard in France.

Laurent Bonadei, the new national team coach, cut a clean slate. Out with the traumas, out with the ailments. He opened up and aired out the room. He deemed a change of pace necessary after so many times coming away empty-handed. Always close, always far away, Les Bleues are still searching for their first major trophy. It couldn't be at their Olympics either. The coach said enough and left legendary defender Renard and Le Sommer, the national team's top scorer with 94 goals, at home. France is looking for new role models to join winger Bacha and forward Katoto (now teammates at Lyon), and much is expected of Clara Mateo, the best player in the country's league after scoring 18 goals in 19 matches with Paris FC, whom Bonadei has brought back. Due to age, Real Madrid defender Lakrar, United striker Malard, and Everton newcomer Kelly Gago are also mature enough to take the helm and put an end to the bad luck that haunts the country.

Norway No more setbacks

Norway won both titles against Sweden (1987) and Italy (1993) but has lost four finals (2013, 2005, 1991, and 1989). The country was a powerhouse, but has fallen apart. Since 2015, they have only won one knockout round at a major tournament (at the 2019 World Cup against Australia on penalties) and have also gone on to win two European Championships without making it past the group stage.

They have plenty of names to choose from, with Graham Hansen, Ada Hegerberg, Engen, Reiten, Maanum, and Terland, their latest talent who shone at Manchester United. They just need to come together and believe in themselves again. They have no middle ground.