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Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Would a still-developing US women's team have won Euro 2025?
Sunday in Switzerland, England's Lionesses clawed their way to a second straight Euro title after defeating the reigning world champions, Spain, 3-1 in a penalty shootout. With a record 1.35m watching stateside, at least one wondered if, in some alternate universe in which they could play in the Euros, they would have won it. Asked that question on a recent episode of The Women's Game podcast, US captain and OL Lyonnes midfielder Lindsey Heaps suggested that they could. While debriefing England's wild quarter-final comeback against Sweden with retired World Cup champion Sam Mewis, Heaps began by noting the difficulty of comparing Emma Hayes' program in transition to mid-tournament teams: 'It's so hard because we're obviously missing a lot of players,' she said. 'But we have a lot of new, young players, inexperienced players, that are doing so well. I think it would be so hard to say. Also, Emma would fully prepare us for a tournament, and tournament mode. So it'd be a little bit different than what we've been doing, and how we've been playing.' But nodding to the team's psyche, she added: '[It] goes back to mentality. I will always say, like, we would be, we would be killing it and winning.' The internet, of course, was quick to point out what happened two years ago in Melbourne, with some fans seemingly aghast that the team's belief remains intact after an ignominious World Cup exit against European opposition. Others, of course, noted last summer's triumph in Paris, when Emma Hayes led the program to its fifth gold medal just 76 days after her first training session in charge of the team. Related: NWSL and US Soccer's lack of transgender policy targeted by conservative lobby groups This summer's USWNT team isn't the team it was in 2023, when they suffered their earliest-ever departure from a competition they'd dominated. For that matter, it's also not the team it was last year in Paris, or the one it likely will be by the next World Cup. So, with the players presently available, in this iteration of the USWNT, would they have broken hearts in Switzerland? Probably not. They may not have been far off, though. Head-to-head comparisons are imprecise because of changing dynamics for the US and their UEFA counterparts over the past few years. But the US's recent record against Euro '25 contenders isn't as bleak as one might think, given the still-lingering taste of bitter defeat on the sport's grandest stage. The US has played six of the 16 teams that battled to reach Basel during or since the 2023 World Cup. That includes Iceland (twice in friendlies), Portugal (2023 World Cup), Germany (twice at the Olympics), England (one friendly), the Netherlands (once in a friendly and once at the World Cup), and of course, Sweden. Of those nine tests against Euro '25 competitors, the US won five, drew three and lost once in a penalty shootout. Four of those wins came against Iceland and Germany, with the other secured against the Dutch. That's not too bad, though half of those teams lost in the group stage in Switzerland. Of this summer's eight quarter-finalists, the USWNT has played four and beaten just one of them (Germany) stretching back to 2022. Unfortunately, while the Olympics were a redemptive run for the felled giants, Germany (who they beat twice) were the only Euro team they faced, and thus their only opportunity to test a renewed mettle against Uefa opponents. That said, they did go on to beat Brazil, who sent France and Spain packing in the preceding rounds. It seems probable, given the recently-proven talent of the US against competitors like Ireland and Canada (missing players and all) that they could reach the knockout phase of this summer's Euros. But as they reached toward the final rounds, or perhaps even the final, they might feel the difference between the team available for friendlies this June, and the one that won the gold medal. Most notably, that includes the formidable force propelling the team to glory at both ends of the pitch. Along the frontline: 'triple espresso' and their combined ten goals. At the other end: Alyssa Naeher. Related: Emma Hayes' USWNT revolution gathers pace in dominant summer window | Megan Swanick Naeher's 22 saves at the Paris Olympics were inseparable from success, as they included a record four shutouts (the most for any US keeper at the Games), 12 knockout round saves and seven against Germany alone in a hotly contested semi-final. There are hopeful contenders to fill those enormous shoes, including Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. But at this moment, the team is far away from having the tried and trusted hands of Naeher available to support them. Especially given the plethora of penalties that in many ways defined this Euros (for goalkeepers and penalty takers alike), the present keeper pool is too untested on that type of stage to say confidently they're ready to pull through like Naeher did at the Olympics. At the other end of the pitch, Swanson, Rodman and Smith were not simply goalscorers that were fun to watch. They were big moment players capable of changing the game individually, with big tournament pressure and all the world's eyes on their back. Their prolonged absence has forced the opportunity to find new ways and players to score, and in recent windows a number of names have shown their skill in the final third (that somehow includes defensive midfielder Sam Coffey, who ended the June window with three goals in five games while cementing her name in Emma Hayes midfield). Beyond Coffey, it's been encouraging to observe new combinations of attackers work on ways to break down opponents and score goals. The skill is there, but the finished product is a work in progress. And the gamechanging greatness of triple espresso in Paris is a hard spark to immediately replace. (By 2027, they may not have to). Emma Hayes delivered gold 76 days after her first training session. Today, 14 months into her long-term project, the US is certainly on track to compete with the top competitors from this summer's Euros. If they were thrown into the fray in Switzerland this summer, they'd have been competitive, but are likely a few years off from being a team ready to take the top prize.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Albania Star To Leave Inter Milan This Summer – Ex Napoli Midfielder Could Also Depart
Kristjan Asllani is set to leave Inter Milan this summer transfer window, while Piotr Zielinski could follow him out the exit door. This according to today's print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. Inter Milan are mulling over the future of their midfield. The arrival of Cristian Chivu will herald a change in formation. The Nerazzurri will play with two holding midfielders and two attacking midfielders, rather than a midfield trio. One player who will have little place in this new system is Kristjan Asllani. The 23-year-old former Empoli midfielder has been at Inter for three seasons. However, he has never fully convinced as a backup to Hakan Calhanoglu or Marcelo Brozovic in holding midfield. Furthermore, Asllani's style of play does not really suit what Chivu will want from his central midfielders. Therefore, there is little doubt that Inter want to offload Asllani this summer. Nevertheless, the Gazzetta reports, Asllani has so far rejected the possibility of a move outside Serie A. The Albanian wants to stay in the Italian top flight if he leaves Inter. Asllani To Leave Inter – Zielinski Could Also Depart MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 27: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team's first goal from a penalty kick during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 27, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) According to the Gazzetta, the situation of Piotr Zielinski at Inter is more ambiguous than that of Asllani. The Polish international just joined Inter last summer from Napoli. However, it was a disappointing first season at the San Siro for Zielinski. Injuries certainly played a role in restricting the 31-year-old's impact. Considering Zielinski's age, and his high wages (€4.5 million net per season) Inter may decide to offload the midfielder. If they can find a buyer, that is. On the other hand, reports the Gazzetta, Zielinski's tactical versatility could be a major factor in favour of his staying at Inter. The Pole can play anywhere from holding midfield to attacking midfielder. That could certainly be a useful asset as Cristian Chivu looks to change the system in midfield.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Helena Rowland not taking favourites tag for granted at Rugby World Cup
By Phil Campbell England may be overwhelming favourites to become world champions on home soil this summer but Helena Rowland insists they are taking nothing for granted. The Red Roses last lifted the trophy in 2014 but are currently on a 25-match winning streak under the leadership of New Zealander John Mitchell. The winners of the last seven Guinness Women's Six Nations and last two WXV tournaments will also have the added advantage of home support but Rowland insists the squad are remaining grounded. 'We have definitely tried to keep quite internal about [having the favourites tag],' she said, as part of a new LG OLED TV collaboration ahead of this summer. 'We are driving our standards and we keep pushing ourselves to be better every time we train. 'The more we can do that, and focus on ourselves rather than the external pressure, the better. 'Obviously, it is a home tournament. We are favourites, but that does not mean anything. 'We were favourites going into the last one and did not quite come away with it. 'It is a big summer ahead and I think we're all really looking forward to it and relishing the challenge.' LG is helping the nation get closer to the action with LG OLED TVs. Life's Good for sport fans as LG's leading technology provides an unmatched immersive sporting atmosphere thanks to incredible OLED picture quality, Motion Pro technology for the smoothest action possible and unbelievable soundbar surround sound to bring the stadium feeling home. The 25-year-old fly-half, who can also play at centre and full-back, was part of the England squad that missed out in New Zealand three years ago, which saw the Black Ferns crowned world champions. But another chance now presents itself for England to avenge that defeat in what will be the best attended tournament of its kind ever, with a showpiece final at the Allianz Stadium on September 27. Rowland's versatility will make her a key asset in Mitchell's armoury this summer. She was handed the fly-half reins for the Six Nations opener against Italy in York before coming off the bench in the remaining four matches as England wrapped up their latest title. And the 25-year-old Loughborough Lightning ace hopes the visibility of this summer's competition will mean more youngsters feel empowered to take up the sport. 'It's a privilege to be able to inspire the next generation,' she continued. 'As children, a lot of us grew up without necessarily having those figures, particularly in rugby. 'For us to have the opportunity to be front and centre, and to show what rugby is about, hopefully, that gets more girls involved in rugby and sport in general. 'That would be great because that is our aim. We want to get the next generation coming through to create that next legacy. 'We definitely want to be one of those teams that comes away with the trophy at the end of it. 'It is a massive opportunity for us, but we know it is not going to come easily, there is a lot of competition across the board. 'But it's going to be an unbelievable event, with unbelievable crowds, and that is what is going to drive us and keep us going.'
