Women's Euro 2025: How to watch the first round of group stage matches
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The group stage commences with Finland and Iceland. Finland has been a benign competitor since its 2005 semifinal stunner. Iceland employs Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir, famous for her long throw-ins. Group A then continues with Switzerland and Norway, the two favorites to make it out. The Swiss have a budding star on the wing: 18-year-old Sydney Schertenleib. With Barcelona, she is already in the 95th percentile in shots and 97th percentile in take-ons.
Belgium and Italy get Group B started on Thursday. Belgian captain Tessa Wullaert is the country's all-time leading scorer by a massive margin (92 to Janice Cayman's 48). Italian ascendant Emma Severini looks for her second international goal ahead of her 22nd birthday.
Then, the group's headliner: Spain-Portugal pits border nations against one another, and the Spanish side likes its chances after consecutive trophy lifts in 2023 and 2024. Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d'Or recipient, paces her country with end-to-end midfield prowess. She's back to full strength after an ACL tear took her out of the 2022 tournament.
Group C debuts on Friday. Denmark captain Pernille Harder earned UEFA Women's Player of the Year honors in 2018 and 2020, becoming the first player to take that award home multiple times. The Bayern Munich bulwark will go against dark horse Sweden, fronted by Chelsea winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
Then comes the historical juggernaut. Germany has won this tournament eight times in 13 total stagings, and the DFB women were runners-up in 2022. Poland's aspirations are modest (this is its first time qualifying for Euros), but Ewa Pajor's exhilarating game is anything but. The 28-year-old Barcelona striker is a nifty finisher and should make for an awesome watch.
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Saturday closes out the first leg of group play. Group D has Wales making its tourney debut versus Lineth Beerensteyn, Jill Roord and the attacking Dutch outfit. The Netherlands are captained by Sherida Spitse, who has repped her country internationally since 2006 (!).
The first round of group matches closes with another pair of neighboring rivals. Elite French defender Selma Bacha battles back from ankle surgery; she and her teammates will try to slow down the title holders. England manager Sarina Wiegman guided her Lionesses to the 2023 World Cup final. She has 10 players with at least 50 caps on her roster. Chelsea's Lucy Bronze is the most experienced, with 134 appearances since her 2013 debut.
Women's Euro 2025 team guides: Everything you need to know about the 16 sides
Charlotte Harpur and Michael Cox have breakdowns on every member of the formidable English roster
Laia Cervelló Herrero on the confident World Cup winners from 2023
Megan Feringa previews the host nation's long-shot hopes
Nick Miller ranks all 16 home kits
Streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Photo of Lucy Bronze: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images)
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