Women's Euro 2025: top goalscorers, game by game
The race to be stop scorer at the Women's Euros 2025 in Switzerland is a fascinating one. Spain, the world champions, have several players who can top the list: Esther González, Clàudia Pina and Salma Paralluelo. The beaten finalists in Australia and New Zealand – England – count Alessia Russo as their main threat but also have Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp who can chip in with goals.
Germany and France also have high hopes of going all the way this summer and have, among their ranks, Lea Schüller, Jule Brand, Klara Bühl, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Sandy Baltimore and Kadidiatou Diani.
There is a Scandinavian threat as well from players such as Pernille Harder, Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen, Stina Blackstenius and Fridolina Rolfö while Poland have one of the most lethal strikers in the world in Ewa Pajor.
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The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Wales's Jess Fishlock: ‘We've broken through several ceilings – now we have to burst a big one'
When Jess Fishlock walks into the hotel lounge everyone's gaze is drawn towards her slight frame and, almost instantly, a cup of the midfielder's favourite coffee appears on the table in front of her. It has been like this for some years now but one of the finest footballers to play for Wales wears stardom lightly. If that is largely down to the 38-year-old's humility and intelligence, it also reflects her journey's origins. Fishlock remembers the days when female footballers were unrecognised in public and virtually invisible to the game's male establishment. It explains why being part of the first Wales Women side to qualify for a major tournament matters so much to a player belying advancing years in the manner of the stylistically not entirely dissimilar Luka Modric. 'It's always nice to be able to do something that's so much bigger than yourself,' she says in a distinctive hybrid Welsh-US Pacific coast accent, redolent of the ties that have bound her to Seattle Reign for the past 13 years. 'Qualifying for these Euros enables us to cement the legacy we've created for future generations. I hope we'll be able to look back on Switzerland 2025 as something special that changed our nation.' To appreciate why this milestone transcends sport, a potted history of a slow-burn cultural revolution is required. After all, it was not until 2019 that Wales Women wore shirts bearing their names, rather than just numbers, on the back. Rewind a little further and the country's non-appearance in the 2005 Euros in England was not about inadequate results. The Football Association of Wales had declined to fund the female squad through the qualifying campaign. Fishlock made her senior debut in 2006. Coincidentally, an odyssey that would lead to her becoming Wales's record cap holder (162 at the last count) and all-time leading scorer (47 goals) began with a 3-2 defeat in Switzerland at a tiny ground in suburban Zurich. Back then she combined playing for Cardiff with working for a telecoms company but, when her talent was subsequently spotted by the then Dutch champions, AZ Alkmaar, everything changed. At AZ she was sometimes coached by the men's manager, Louis van Gaal. Fishlock credits him with teaching her the importance of controlling a game's tempo and helping inspire an eclectic career in which she has won two Champions Leagues, at Frankfurt and Lyon, and collected almost every available domestic honour with Melbourne Victory and Seattle Reign. 'I pick the right moments to say: 'We're going forward,' or: 'We're going to slow it down,'' she says, in a luxury resort hotel set amid the Vale of Glamorgan's lush undulating countryside. 'My position makes those tempo-setting decisions kind of important. But it's about the team as a collective being on the same page and recognising those moments.' Fishlock is a big believer in 'living in the moment and enjoying it' but her impending presence in Lucerne and St Gallen for Euro 25 group-stage games against the Netherlands, France and England represents the fulfilment of a long cherished ambition. As her American wife, her former Reign teammate Tziarra King, says: 'Jess has worked her whole life for this; Euro 2025 means everything to her.' There were moments when the dream seemed near impossible but, after she overcame a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in 2019 and the anguish of losing a World Cup qualification playoff against Switzerland in the final seconds of extra time in 2022, a watershed arrived 15 months ago. It is no exaggeration to say the appointment of the half-Welsh former Canada defender Rhian Wilkinson as head coach has altered an entire national narrative. 'Rhian's transformed us,' says Fishlock of a coach who won the US's National Women's Soccer League in her previous job with Portland Thorns. 'I think in the past we haven't really had a manager that's believed in us this much but Rhian's unwavering. She's raised the bar. From minute one, she introduced a set of non-negotiable standards, wielded the hammer and established whole new expectations. It's brought the best out in us all. It's always been an honour and a privilege to represent this country but she's put us in a spot where we're now able to compete against top teams.' Fishlock believes that, for too long, Wales were conditioned to accept their supposed limitations. 'In the past we would just agree, I guess, that maybe we couldn't do this or we couldn't do that but Rhian just doesn't accept that,' she says. 'I think she really, truly, does believe in us. She communicates very clearly and she's instilled so much confidence. We knew we were good enough but we maybe just had a block. Now you can see us improving. We've raised our game; it's just so exciting. 'We've had to meet Rhian's standards; before we, perhaps, never had that challenge. I'm very proud that we've risen to it together. It hasn't always been easy, we've had downs, but all of us have been pleasantly surprised by what we've been able to do.' Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Until a 4-1 home defeat against Italy in June's final Nations League game – with Fishlock chipping a spectacular consolation – Wales had not lost by more than a single goal under Wilkinson, as they registered a series of quietly encouraging results, including two draws with Sweden. The trick will be translating this promise into the victories that can open the door to Euro 2025's knockout phase. 'We've had some good Nations League performances yet never quite nailed the results we wanted,' she says. 'But the goal, all along, was preparing for Switzerland. We've broken through several ceilings – now we have to burst a big one.' It helps that Wilkinson tailors differing formations and starting XIs to specific opponents. 'Our flexibility could surprise people this summer,' says Fishlock. 'A lot of our squad can play different positions and read the game very well. That's crucial; I think it will be key to our success.' Like her former Reign teammate Megan Rapinoe, she has long campaigned for human rights and social justice and was awarded an MBE for services to women's football and the LGBT community in 2018. For the moment, though, the arguments she invariably calibrates as expertly as her measured through balls are on hold. 'It's really important not to be ignorant of what's going on in the world,' says Fishlock. 'But right now it's also very important to remember we're here to concentrate on doing our jobs in Switzerland. Additional focus is provided by the men's team's manager, Craig Bellamy. 'Craig and I have had a number of good conversations,' she says. 'He's a big supporter of our team and he cares so much about our country. Welsh people are very passionate; we're very different from the English, we're not frightened to come forward and say how we feel and what we think. It's about how small but proud we are as a nation.' The precedent set by the men's team in reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016 serves as a lodestar. 'Our squad takes huge inspiration from that, and from every Welsh sporting achievement,' Fishlock says. 'But now it's up to us. We've got to get to Switzerland, get out of the group and write our own story.'
Scotsman
9 hours ago
- Scotsman
NFL stars set for special Edinburgh visit as American club celebrate 'shared historical ties' with Scotland
The Minnesota Vikings are heading to Scotland's capital next week. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... NFL giants Minnesota Vikings have confirmed they will make a special visit to Edinburgh in order to celebrate their 'shared historical ties' with Scotland - and fans will be able to meet them. As part of a two-day visit, current NFL stars Jordan Addison and Brian Asamoah will travel to the Scottish capital on Thursday July 3, alongside wide receiver coach and two-time Super Bowl winner Keenan McCardell as the NFC North team explore the sights and sounds of Edinburgh, and get introduced to some of Scotland's 'most iconic' traditions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Minnesota outfit are named the Vikings due to the American state's strong Scandinavian heritage, with the name chosen to reflect this cultural connection. They plan to use the visit to Edinburgh as a way to celebrate their shared historical ties, with Norse influence leaving a lasting impact after their arrival in Scotland around 1200 years ago. The Minnesota Vikings will visit Scotland next week. | Getty Images 'Our organisation is honoured to have such a passionate and growing international fan base, many of whom call Edinburgh and Scotland home,' say the Minnesota Vikings. 'We are excited to meet as many of our Scottish Vikings fans as possible during our stay and hope this visit can become the first of many in the years to come. 'The players and Coach McCardell are hoping to soak in as much Scottish culture as they can over the course of the two-day visit, from sampling haggis to creating tartan. I know all three are also looking forward to spending time exploring Edinburgh, so our plan is to also take in as many sites around the city as possible.' The visit will be one of three visits the NFL side make across the pond this year, with games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns scheduled to take place on September 28 and October 5 at Dublin's Croke Park and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London respectively. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, 27, rushed to hospital with viral meningitis days before Euro 2025
Spain's manager has spoken about the midfielder's condition STAR WORRY Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, 27, rushed to hospital with viral meningitis days before Euro 2025 BALLON d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati was rushed to hospital after suffering from viral meningitis. The Spanish star did not train on Thursday after reporting a fever. 4 Spain star Aitana Bonmati was rushed to hospital Credit: Reuters 4 She has been diagnosed with viral meningitis Bonmati, 27, was then ruled out of Spain's clash with Japan - which they won 3-1 at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque. The Barcelona star then shocked her 1.9million followers on Instagram with a post of herself in a hospital bed. The midfielder could be seen with an IV in her arm as she watched the match on TV. She added an emoji of a flexing arm to suggest she is fighting strong. Marca have reported that she underwent multiple medical tests and was diagnosed with viral meningitis. She has been treated with intravenous medicine and at the moment, there is no return date pencilled in for her. The report has suggested that there is "confidence" that she will have recovered in time for Spain's Euros campaign. Spain manager Montse Tome is giving Bonmati all the time she needs in order to make the travelling squad. She said: "Aitana is a very important player, and we're going to wait for her until the end. "The only information I have is that we don't know the timeframe. 4 Montse Tome does not know when the midfielder will be back Credit: EPA 4 Bonmati has scored 30 goals for Spain in her career Credit: Getty "If I say anything, I'd be wrong because I'm not a doctor. She's a very important player." Spain travel to Switzerland tomorrow ahead of their Euros opener against Portugal on July 3. Bonmati has earned 76 caps and scored 30 goals in international football. She was a part of the Spain team that beat England's Lionesses in the World Cup final in 2023. She won the women's Ballon d'Or in both 2023 and 2024. In February, Bonmati insisted that Luis Rubiales' conviction of sexual assault after kissing Jenni Hermoso on the mouth was right. The infamous incident happened after Spain won the World Cup in 2023. Bonmati's glittering career Aitana Bonmati has enjoyed an incrediblysuccessful career at club and international levels so far... Club career: Barcelona, 2016 - present Appearances -318 Goals - 112 International career: Spain, 2017 - present Caps - 76 Goals - 30 Catalonia, 2017 - 2019 Cap - 2 Goals - 1 Honours list: Club: Copa de la Reina - x7 Liga F - x6 Supercopa de Espana - x5 Champions League - x3 Copa Catalunya - x4 International: Women's World Cup, 2023 Women's Nations League, 2024 Individual: Women's Ballon d'Or - x2 Best Fifa Women's Player - x2 Golden Player Woman Award - x2 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year - 2024 The former Spanish Football Federation boss was fined £8,274 but was spared a prison sentence. And she hopes the outcome of the case, which sparked nationwide protests in her country, has set an "important precedent".
