2025 Women's Euros Group D Preview: England, France And The Netherlands Set For Epic Battle

Forbes

4 hours ago

Having last met in the UEFA Women's Nations League a couple of years ago, England and the ... More Netherlands will renew their rivalry at the Euros. (Photo by Frederic Scheidemann - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
The two champions of the last two editions of the women's Euros, as well as one of the semifinalists from 2022, have all been drawn in the same group for the 14th edition of the tournament. Debutantes Wales are certainly set to face a trial by fire.
🇫🇷 France
Current FIFA Ranking: #10
Euro History: 7 previous appearances; best result: semifinalists (2022)
Major International Trophies: N/A
Legendary captain Wendie Renard and all-time leading appearance-maker Eugénie Le Sommer have both been left out of the French squad as they appear to be undergoing something of a generational shift, but that will not lighten the weight of expectations on the team.
France's home Olympic campaign did not quite go to plan as they were knocked out by Brazil at the quarterfinal stage. Hervé Renard then left his post as head coach as per plan, being succeeded by former assistant Laurent Bonadei. As a result, the team's tactical setup has not changed much as they have continued to stick to the 4-4-2 formation or one of its variants.
Les Bleues' friendly results towards the end of 2024 were quite inconsistent, but they then proceeded to cruise to the top of their Nations League group earlier this year with six wins out of six. While all of their opponents were also Euro-bound, they should expect to face tougher tests in Switzerland.
With two key absences at either end of the field, France will need players to step up in attack as well as defense to plug the holes left by the veterans. Someone who might contribute in both respects, though, is midfielder Grace Geyoro. She is a very well-rounded player who can do the dirty work out of possession to protect her back line but is also quite elegant on the ball and likes to get forward, where she can pose a handy goal-threat.
Grace Geyoro likes to leave defenders in her wake as she carries the ball forward. (Photo by Matt ... More King - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Group D is going to be anything but straightforward for all involved, but France should aim to make it out one way or another. Should they reach the knockouts, they will be a team no one will want to face thanks to their resilient nature.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England
Current FIFA Ranking: #5
Euro History: 9 previous appearances; best result: Champions (2022)
Other Major International Trophies: N/A
England finally broke their duck and won their first major trophy at the last Euros before going on to reach the World Cup final the following year. Their immediate run-up to this tournament has not been ideal, though, not least due to the surprise retirements of Mary Earps and Fran Kirby in addition to Millie Bright's withdrawal.
Having missed out on the Olympics last year, England's only competitive action in the last year came in the Nations League, both in its guise as the Euro qualifying tournament and its standard format earlier this year. The Lionesses finished second in their group after drawing with Portugal, suffering a shock defeat to Belgium and losing to Spain on the final day.
Needless to say, England have not been performing at their very best lately. However, head coach Sarina Wiegman has an exceptional track record at major competitions thanks in no small part to her tactical flexibility and willingness to change things up mid-tournament, so they should still have high ambitions going into the Euros.
Earps' decision to retire was likely influenced by the rise of Hannah Hampton, who looked set to be England's starting goalkeeper for the Euros either way. In a group where her goal can reasonably be expected to come under fire a good deal, the Chelsea shot-stopper could well get some chances to be a match-winner. Additionally, her short passing security will make her a key figure in the build-up and might influence Wiegman's tactics accordingly.
Hannah Hampton may be called into action relatively regularly at the Euros. (Photo by Shaun ...)
As the defending champions, the Lionesses should naturally be expected to go all the way again. They have formed quite a rivalry with Spain in recent years, so another knockout meeting could be a blockbuster fixture.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales
Current FIFA Ranking: #30
Euro History: No previous appearances
Major International Trophies: N/A
At long last, Wales will appear at their first major tournament this summer. They have a fairly old squad with as many as eight players on the wrong side of 30, so this could well be the last big international competition for many of their veterans.
Wales' road to the Euros was anything but straightforward. They lost the first leg of their semifinal against Slovakia before completing a turnaround in extra time of the second leg to set up a showdown against Ireland. After drawing 1-1 at home, they just about clung on to a second half lead in Dublin to win 3-2 on aggregate. The Dragons went on to endure a winless campaign in their Nations League group thereafter, but they might still be riding the high of qualification as they head into the Euros.
Having been appointed as Wales' head coach in 2024, Rhian Wilkinson has shaped her side into a disciplined unit that is tough to break down defensively. The fact that they conceded multiple goals in just two of their six Nations League games against stronger opposition is a testament to that fact.
Wales will rely on the individual brilliance of a couple of their stars in attack as a consequence of their defensive-minded tactics. Naturally, then, a lot will be expected of all-time leading goal-scorer and record appearance-maker Jess Fishlock. The 38-year-old attacking midfielder played a key role in Wales' qualifying campaign and still competes at a very high level for NWSL side Seattle Reign, so she should be up for the challenge in Switzerland.
Given the extremely difficult nature of this group, any result would be an impressive achievement for Wales. They should look to savor the occasion and give a good account of themselves, nevertheless.
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Current FIFA Ranking: #11
Euro History: 4 previous appearances; best result: Champions (2017)
Other Major International Trophies: N/A
The Netherlands enjoyed a period of great success in the late 2010s as they win their only major honor at Euro 2017 and followed that up with a run to the World Cup final two years later, thus also qualifying for their only Olympics to date. They have not made it past the quarterfinal stage of a major competition in the 2020s, though, and could be at risk of missing out on the knockouts altogether this time around.
The Netherlands' triumph at Euro 2017 will live long in the memory of fans and neutrals alike. ... More (Photo by DeFodi/)
The Netherlands were looking in decent nick in the build up to the Euros until the very end of the 2024/25 season. They were technically and tactically outclassed in a four-goal defeat to Germany at the end of May and could only follow it up with a 1-1 draw against Scotland, which made it nine games without a clean sheet for them.
Head coach Andries Jonker's contract is set to expire after the tournament, so these will be his last games in charge of the team. With injury issues and fitness doubts surrounding star player Vivianne Miedema, the 62-year-old tactician could have a fair few problems to solve in Switzerland.
Regardless of whether or not Miedema can start every match, others will have to step up around her. Equally experienced midfielder and recent club teammate Jill Roord could be one of them, as she has shown a handy eye for goal in recent years. She will be returning to her childhood club FC Twente ahead of the upcoming season and will get a hero's reception either way, but excitement will only grow if she stars at the Euros.
The volatile nature of Group D means that the Dutch campaign could be anything from a big flop to a roaring success. Recent results and tactical issues suggest that the former outcome might be a little likelier, but a lot will naturally rest on their matches against England and France.