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Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Gender pay gap revealed: England and Wales way down the league table with Belgium top
The Uefa Women's Euro 2025 football tournament enters the quarter finals stage this week as teams fight it out for a place at the final on July 27. The England team struggled against France in the opening game, but performed well against Netherlands and Wales as they look to repeat the run which enabled the Lionesses to win the trophy three years ago. They play Sweden on Thursday. But Standard Life has already found a winner for another European cup - it looked at the gender pay gaps of all 16 nations taking part at the football event. The Uefa nation that wins is Belgium – where women are paid on average 0.9 per cent less than men, data from the pensions firm and life assurance firm shows. In contrast, England and Wales are among the worst, with a gap of 13.1 per cent on discrimination on work pay. For other countries at the Union of European Football Associations tournament in Switzerland only Germany, with a gap of 14.2 per cent, and Finland, on 16.1 per cent, treat women worse than men when it comes to salaries. Belgium have already been knocked out of the tournament. But by calculating who is best at tackling gender pay discrimination in the workplace, Standard Life believes the final of the eight would be between Norway and France, with Norway winning as the country's pay gap is 4.7 per cent, compared to France, on 6.2 per cent. Although the Lionesses will hopefully be victorious against Sweden on the pitch, if they were playing gender pay gap rules, they would be unceremoniously dumped out at the quarter finals stage – as the pay gap between men and women in Sweden is much less at 7.5 per cent. Norway would beat Italy in the quarter finals, as the latter has a pay gap of 4.9 per cent, while the match between Spain, with a gap of 6.6 per cent, and Switzerland, on 12.1 per cent, would see the hosts knocked out before the semi-finals. The game between heavy weights France and Germany, would see France victorious as it has a lower pay gap between the sexes of 6.2 per cent. Patrick Thomson, head of research analysis and policy at Standard Life, says: 'Women are still losing out when it comes to having enough money saved for retirement – made worse by the inequalities of our financial systems. 'Despite often contributing a higher proportion of their income into pensions, women retire with significantly less due to their lower lifetime earnings.' League table: Belgium is the clear winner of the Euro 2025 gender wage gap - while Finland is ranked bottom Other countries already knocked out are Denmark, with a 5.4 per cent pay gap, Netherlands on 5.8 per cent, Portugal 10.0 per cent, Iceland 10.8 per cent and Poland 10.9 per cent. The figures come from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The average pay gap throughout Europe is calculated at 9.7 per cent.
CNA
11-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Naive Iceland cannot stand still, says captain Viggosdottir
THUN, Switzerland :Iceland have work to do if they are to keep pace with other European nations in women's football, team captain Glodis Viggosdottir told Reuters after her side's 4-3 defeat by Norway in their final Group A game at the Women's Euros on Thursday. In a tight, tough group, Iceland found the margins against them as they lost 1-0 to Finland and 2-0 to hosts Switzerland before finally getting on the scoresheet and grabbing three goals only to lose to group winners Norway, bringing Viggosdottir's fourth Euros campaign to a close. "I think it's something that we've been maybe a little bit naive to," the 30-year-old said of the pace of development in the women's game. "Definitely, you can see that countries are really pushing women's football, and they're doing a lot to progress as a team. "We need to make sure that we don't allow them to go past us, because we want to compete with the best. We know we're a small country but we want to compete with the best, and we need to find that little extra that makes us special and in this tournament, we didn't find it." Iceland finished bottom of the group with no points and exit the tournament alongside Finland, whose 1-1 draw with hosts Switzerland was not enough to get them through to the knockout stage, leaving Norway and the Swiss to advance. Viggosdottir expressed her disappointment at not registering a win in Switzerland and said that she could not pinpoint exactly what needed to be done, but she stressed that keeping up with the rest of the pack would mean making the most of Iceland's playing resources. "We are a small country and we don't get 80 million people to choose from - we have 400,000 and we have to make the best of what we have. We need to get the best out of every single person and find that little extra that makes us special," she said. Still dressed in her kit almost an hour after the final whistle, her white socks stained with grass from one of the many tackles she put in against the Norwegians, Viggosdottir was already looking forward to the next challenge for her national team. "I think we saw in this tournament that there's a few things that we need to improve and need to do better," she said.
BBC News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Who will win Euro 2025? BBC pundits make their predictions
The Women's Euro 2025 starts on Wednesday in Thun and ends in Basel on Sunday, 27 England are one of 16 teams to contest the tournament, which will feature 31 matches over 26 will lift the trophy this time? Who are the favourites? And how will England and Wales do, as they begin in Group D with France and the Netherlands?BBC Sport's TV and radio football presenters and pundits predict what will happen in Switzerland. Who will win Euro 2025? Former England captain Steph Houghton: I think either Spain or Germany... Spain are current World Cup holders with a lot of good players in Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas and Claudia Pina. Germany have a new manager [Christian Wuck], they have gone through that transition period and have performed really well in the last record women's goalscorer Ellen White: I genuinely think on any given day England can beat anyone. They have got a great and talented squad. There are other great teams as well, but we have a talented group and I think we can win England midfielder/defender Anita Asante: Germany are quietly going about their business. They have a long legacy and history of winning this competition and they just might be on the rise most-capped international Fara Williams: I am torn between Germany and Spain. I'm going to go with Spain on the back of winning the World Cup and their momentum. With the players they have got and the squad as a whole, their depth is probably the best in the England defender Alex Scott: I am saying England. I know Spain are favourites, but I think with everything going on with the announcement of retirements and some players not playing, sometimes that can galvanise a team and I'm hoping England prove everyone wrong and retain that City and England U21 defender Nedum Onuoha: It's tough to not pick Spain given the fact they are world champions and given the fact in this European campaign there have been some inconsistencies shown by so many sides. Spain have that quality and it will be very tough to beat Wales striker Helen Ward: It's too hard to look past Spain. They are such a good side with balance, talent and youngsters coming through. I see them as the big Wales defender Danny Gabbidon: Spain are World Cup holders and they are a fantastic footballing team. The nucleus of the Barcelona team that they have – particularly the midfield three – are difficult to play against. They are a really good team to watch and have so many different threats all over the pitch. What are England's chances? Alex Scott: England have a very tough group, but they are going all the way. They are going to be in the final and hopefully we will all be cheering when they lift that trophy Onuoha: I have genuine belief that England will get out of the group. It might not be glamourous, but I think they will probably finish top. With the path they will be on, I think the game they might lose would be a semi-final appearance against Spain, but realistically anything can Asante: England are in a really tough group, but in Sarina we trust. I think they can get to the final. It's going to be challenging with players retiring and withdrawing, but this could be the next generation to step into those shoes and make it happen. If they get out of the group stage, everything is Williams: I hope England go to the final and win it, but the key word is hope. I think England and France will progress out of the group. I hope England finish first and then we will get to the semi-final. If we finish second we are in trouble because we will get the Germans in the Houghton: I think England will get to the final. Our group is tough in terms of the competition with three different types of opponents, but I really do believe in the quality and the strength in depth in the squad. Especially in the forward areas. I think England will play Spain in the Gabbidon: As a Welshman I am hoping England don't progress too far. They are a fantastic team. They are the holders and have such a talented squad of players. They have had a little bit of upheaval, but you would expect them to be there or thereabouts at the end of the tournament. Behind Spain they are the second-best Ward: I expect them to get out of the group and that would be their expectation. As holders they are going to be up there as one of the favourites and I wouldn't be surprised to see them go deep in the tournament. How far will Wales go? Helen Ward: Wales can go as far as they believe. The Netherlands might look as that opening game as the perfect one for them and maybe Wales can play on that and take people by surprise and go under the radar. They have some fantastic talent with Welsh heart, grit and determination. We are the ultimate underdog. No other country has a dragon on their badge or flag, so that has got to mean something, hasn't it?Danny Gabbidon: I'm hoping Wales go all the way and win it, but being realistic with it being their first tournament I'm going to say something similar to what I said when the men qualified for Euro 2016 - if they can get out of the group that would be a really good achievement with how difficult that group is. If they get out of the group that would be a magnificent Onuoha: I feel for Wales because they have been so unlucky to end up in this group with Netherlands, France and England. They are the underdog in every single one of those games. But I think they will get a win, I just don't think it will be enough to get them out of the group. I imagine the games they play, especially against England, will be very hard-fought. With a strong start, they could be playing for a place in the knockouts in that final game. But I can't see them getting out of the Williams: I am rooting for Wales. It's always important that we support home nations and the growth at their first tournament. I think they will go out in the group stages. They are in a tough group and will probably finish bottom of the group, but they won't go out without a fight. Those Welsh players will give absolutely everything for the badge. Having played with a few at club level, their country means everything to Scott: I think it is epic they have reached their first major tournament and I'm all for that feeling that it can bring you together. They have waited a long, long time. I hope they can be a dark horse and surprise France and the Houghton: I think Wales will find it tough, but they have done unbelievably well to get to this tournament. To be involved in a group full of experienced teams at the highest level is going to be tough, but with this Welsh side I know they will never give up so it could be a surprise one for us Asante: History will tell us that for newcomers to major competitions, often it's about experiencing tournament football and learning a lot from the first experience. Not many have progressed out of the group stages in the very first tournament. Wales have been really unfortunate to draw highly ranked teams with the know-how and experience. I think they will probably struggle to get out of the group, but if they do then everything is possible. They go in with that fearlessness and underdog status. I hope it can happen for them. Who might be the dark horse? Ellen White: I think France might be a dark horse. They have suffered in a few major tournaments and haven't quite got over the line, but they have a talented squad with great youth and experience. I am excited to see how they fare and what their team looks Onuoha: Sweden will not be one of the highest-ranked teams, but the way they play and the fact they tend to turn up in these big international tournaments make them a very tough side to play against. I wouldn't be surprised for them to go further than some people Williams: Switzerland have a few good individual players and the support of the home crowd - we saw what it did for England in 2022 and this can really help them. They have a very experienced manager [Pia Sundhage] who will allow that balance for the players to experience what the home support is as well as keeping them focused. They are in a good Houghton: Sweden might be dark horses. Not many people have spoken about them, but when it comes to major tournaments they always find a way to get to the latter stages and they have a lot of players with a lot of Ward: I think Wales are going to throw a few surprises at the tournament. You can expect heart, passion, desire, togetherness, a real case of the true underdog. The biggest thing is the passion. They are going to give it absolutely everything and leave nothing out Asante: Norway have had such a bad showing of themselves in recent Euros, but on paper the squad is unreal. This could be the one that they finally get right and it just clicks and comes Gabbidon: I saw Italy in the Nations League as they were in Wales' group and I was really impressed. They thrashed Wales and played really good football. They are really organised and good off attacking set-pieces with lots of variation so I fancy Italy to surprise a few Scott: I'm going with Sweden. I think they will progress out of the group and they have a real resilience about them. They are one to keep an eye on. Can you call Sweden a dark horse? They are always there or thereabouts. Who will win the Golden Boot? Ellen White: Alessia Russo had a great season and is very influential for England, not just for scoring goals but her work ethic, her runs, her selflessness. I don't want to put too much pressure on her because if she doesn't win the Golden Boot but England win the Euros then great. But I think she has had a great season. It could be someone random, but I hope it's Alessia Ward: Claudia Pina has been in fantastic form for Barcelona and Spain. She doesn't always start, but she comes on and makes a big impact. She has an eye for goal, she is young, exciting, talented and she is in absolutely flying form at the Gabbidon: Alessia Russo had a fantastic season for Arsenal with more than 20 goals. She is a Champions League winner and comes into this tournament full of confidence. She is going to be the one leading the line for England and with the quality players around her creating chances you would expect her to be there or thereabouts for the Golden Boot and you would expect England to go deep in the tournament which helps with Asante: Seeing as I have picked Germany as potential winners I'm going to have to pick Klara Williams: I'd love Alessia Russo to win it if she can carry on that form. If England get all the way, Russo wins it. If not, I'm going with Onuoha: I'm going to go for Claudia Pina. Whether or not she starts is not guaranteed, but you have seen the quality of her finishing and the impact she can have and the clinical nature she has, I think she is going to be a big part of their Houghton: Hopefully Alessia Russo is the Golden Boot winner. That is what I Scott: It could be between Alessia Russo and Esther Gonzalez for Spain. Who could have a breakthrough tournament? Steph Houghton: Claudia Pina is the next big superstar from Spain to go alongside Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati. She will score goals, she loves to dribble at people and cause problems and she is very quick. I would have my eye on her for sure. She might not start all the time, but in terms of impact, what she can bring to that Spain team and how they play, I feel as though she can be Onuoha: I'm going to say Michelle Agyemang. I think Sarina Wiegman has seen her quality and given how tough England's games will be throughout the tournament, she could be someone that comes on and makes a difference towards the end of matches when people are tired and people are playing against her probably for the first time on most of these occasions. With the quality she has, she can definitely be the Asante: If Grace Clinton gets a chance it could be her tournament. Otherwise I'd like to see Aggie Beever-Jones break through and show everybody what we already know. She has had an exceptional season, her goal-to-minutes ratio is ridiculous in the WSL. She can be England's Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly from the last Williams: We saw what Claudia Pina did for Spain when she came off the bench against England in the recent Nations League game. She is not a regular starter in the Spanish team, but I think she will work her way into the starting Ward: Wales' Carrie Jones could have a breakout tournament. She is a young talent that plays in Sweden for her club side. That has brought her game on a lot. She might not start every game for Wales but she can have an Scott: There are a few young players that we need to keep an eye on. This could be a breakout tournament for [Spain teenager] Vicky Lopez. When you look at the Spanish team they are stacked and Aitana Bonmati is just class with her elegance on the ball. Everyone is going to be watching her glide and control the midfield like she normally Gabbidon: My must-watch player would be Lauren Hemp. I know she is just off the back of a long-term injury but she is one of those players that gets bums off seats. Her ability to create goals, score goals, dribble, go past players. She has a fantastic left foot and is capable of those magic moments.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
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June 26, 2025 54 minutes Available for 29 days Katie Smith looks ahead to UEFA Women's EURO 2025, which starts on Wednesday. She's joined by England's all-time record goalscorer Ellen White, former Scotland all-rounder Jen Beattie and The Guardian's Tom Garry. Also hear from former Switzerland goalkeeper Kathrin Lehmann, Nordic football expert Mia Eriksson, Norway boss Gemma Grainger, former Spain midfielder Vicky Losada, French football expert Julien Laurens & Dutch journalist Rivkah op het Veld. 01:45 Hosts Switzerland missing a key player, 08:15 Eight-time winners Germany into a new era? 11:30 What about the Scandinavian teams? 13:25 Norway boss Gemma Grainger INTERVIEW, 17:40 Can Sweden finally go that final step? 21:30 Will world champions Spain break their Euros duck? 30:30 Italy being tipped to go far in group with Portugal & Belgium, 32:45 Is Group D the group of death? 33:50 French squad selection raises questions, 40:10 Netherlands' head coach isn't happy, 46:00 England going in as defending champions, 50:05 Wales going in as tournament debutants. BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries: Sat 2000 England v Germany in UEFA U21 Final, Sun 1700 England v Jamaica in women's friendly, Wed 1700 Iceland v Finland on Sports Extra 2, Wed 2000 Switzerland v Norway on 5 Live, Thu 2000 Spain v Portugal on 5 Live.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
When is the Women's Euros 2025?
Euro 2025 is finally here, with 16 teams from across Europe ready to showdown!The 2023 Women's World Cup ended in heartbreak for England's Lionesses, losing out in the final to Spain - but will they fare better this time around? And which of the home nations has qualified for the first time? Find out all this and more with this article from Bitesize! Switzerland will be the host nation for Euro 2025, marking the first time they've played host to a major women's sporting event on this will be played right across the country, with the tournament kicking off in Thun and coming to a close at St-Jakob Park, in other host cities include St Gallen, Zurich, Lucerne, Bern, Sion and Geneva. Euro 2025 kicks off on Wednesday 2 July, as Iceland face off with Finland at the Stockhorn Arena in Thun. The game will kick off at 5pm UK time, with hosts Switzerland taking on Norway later that group stage of the tournament will continue on through to 13 July, with the quarter-finals beginning on July 16 - all leading up to the final on Sunday 27 July. 16 teams will compete for the crown of Euro 2025 champions this summer, including two of the home nations - one of them for the first time!The nations who qualified are: Iceland, Finland, Switzerland, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Wales, Netherlands, France and teams will be split evenly across four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals. Euro 2025 marks the Euros debut of the Wales women's national football team, with Rhian Wilkinson's side joining England in Group will kick off their tournament in Lucerne, taking on Netherlands on Saturday 5 July at 5pm UK time. England will begin their campaign later that day, facing off against France at 8pm UK teams will play their second match on Wednesday 9 July, with England playing Netherlands in Zurich, and Wales matching up against France in St their final group stage game, England and Wales will come face to face with one another, kicking off in St Gallen at 8pm UK time on Sunday 13 July. The first official UEFA Women's Euro took place between 1982 and 1984, with 16 teams across Europe coming together to compete for the trophy. England, Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland all took part - alongside nations like France, Italy and Portugal, amongst competition's first game took place on 18 August 1982, with Sweden comfortably beating out Finland in a 6-0 final took place in 1984, with England facing off against Sweden over a two-leg final. The Swedes beat England on home turf, before an England win at Kenilworth Road sent the final to a penalty unsurprisingly, England lost on penalties, with Sweden becoming the first ever Women's Euro champions! England go into the 2025 Euros as reigning champions, with the Lionesses roaring to victory over Germany in the final of Euro 2022. Chloe Kelly's goal in extra-time marked an end to over 50 years of hurt for England's men and women's national hold the record for the most number of Women's Euro titles, having won eight of the 13 that have taken place as of this year. Other winners include Sweden, Netherlands and Norway with the possibility of a further nation being added to those ranks this summer! The first Women's EurosEverything you need to know about Euro 2025Ella Powell: How my teachers helped kickstart an international football careerSix things you need to know about women's football
