Women's EURO 2025 Group A: Kind draw for the hosts?
The Women's Euros is finally here and we are kicking off our group previews with a look at the hosts. It's Group A ...
The Teams
Hosts Switzerland headline Group A, where they are joined by two-time winners Norway (1987, 1993), Iceland, and Finland.
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It looks like a kind draw for the hosts, playing in front of home crowds and avoiding the likes of England, the Netherlands and Sweden from the second pot. Norway's star power cannot be overlooked, though, and they will be the dark horses for many.
The Favourites: Norway
Norway have demons to exorcise. A country with huge pedigree and star names shouldn't be suffering a group stage exit as they did three years ago, and they certainly shouldn't be suffering 8-0 defeats like they did at the hands of England in that tournament. The 2023 World Cup didn't go much better, losing to hosts New Zealand before an early exit against Japan, and Norway have a squad capable of so much more.
📸 Phil Walter - 2023 Getty Images
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Guro Reiten (Chelsea) and Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona) are genuinely world class creative talents, Frida Maanum (Arsenal) has a nose from goal from midfield, and Ada Hegerberg (Lyon) is a former Ballon d'Or winner. The only question is whether or not they can finally put it together at a tournament.
The Key Clash: Switzerland vs Norway
The opening game of the tournament involves Finland take on Iceland but that will serve as a mere appetiser on the opening day, with Switzerland vs Norway to come later that evening.
An early win for either side here will set the tone. A defeat, and the pressure is on massively for the two remaining games. The stakes are high from the off.
Key Players
Lia Wälti (Switzerland) - A metronomic midfielder used to the pressure of the biggest stages, the Switzerland captain will be absolutely key for the hosts. When things aren't going well, the team will look to Wälti to calm the nerves, when they are going well, it will be on her to keep everything in check.
Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway) - One of the world's best dribblers, one of the world's most creative players, one of the world's most prolific goalscorers. Now 30 and at her fourth Euros, it's time for the Barcelona winger to shine.
Glódís Viggósdóttir (Iceland) - The onus will be on the Iceland and Bayern Munich captain to excel the ball playing out from the back and defend sternly when her team are up against it. At club level she does both, and dominates aerially too. Iceland's game will lean on her abilities in all phases.
Natalia Kuikka (Finland) - A five-time winner of Finland's Player of the Year, the 29-year-old is a fast, physical defender and an NWSL winner with former club Portland Thorns. Finland are likely to have plenty of defending to do but they were well equipped to compete in qualifying and will need Kuikka to be at her best in Switzerland.
Predicted qualifiers
Norway, Switzerland
📸 FABRICE COFFRINI - AFP or licensors
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