UEFA Women's EURO 2025 across BBC Cymru Wales
In a powerful documentary, Euro 2025: Together Stronger, Wales record goal scorer Jess Fishlock and her teammates tell the journey of Welsh Women's football in a way it's never been done before. The programme is part of a series of content from BBC Cymru Wales, celebrating Wales Women's historic qualification for UEFA Women's EURO 2025.
The Wales Women will play amongst the greats at the Euros. To get there, they had to defy all odds and push themselves to breaking point. Euro 2025: Together Stronger is the inside story of an impossible dream.
This one-hour film, produced by Barn Media, tells the extraordinary journey of Welsh Women's football. It is more than a story about sport - it's about resilience, equality, and the fight for recognition. It details their progression from playing in front of small crowds and enduring institutional neglect – a time when, as Jess Fishlock recalls, "We just had the bare minimum of everything."
They were a team that was used to traumatic losses and the grief that comes with missing out. In the film, after losing in a World Cup play-off final against Switzerland in 2022, former player and Watford captain, Helen Ward states: "I knew that was my last chance to get to a major tournament, and I don't think I'd ever cried over football in my life before that, but I knew that was it.'
It was a result that left Captain, Angharad James asking: 'Are we ever going to do it? Is it ever going to happen?'
And a result that left star midfielder Jess Fishlock, questioning her career in the game:
"I didn't really know what to do and I remember being with my mum and I was just crying, saying 'I just don't think I can do this again.' There were so many campaigns where we were almost there, and I just didn't think I could do it again."
But what Together Stronger shows is how each missed chance or gut-wrenching defeat stoked a fire in these players to change the system and make history. This culminated in Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson stepping in to take the reins and help Cymru achieve their impossible dream, securing a place on the international stage in Switzerland this summer.
Watch Together Stronger from 10.40pm on 3 July on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
UEFA Women's EURO 2025 across BBC Cymru Wales
Live commentary
Live coverage of each of Wales' games will be provided by BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru.
BBC One will be covering the first match in the play offs, where Wales faces the Netherlands on the 5 of July.
Radio and BBC Sounds
Wales' all-time leading scorer Jess Fishlock presents Iconic: The Rise of the Women in Red, a four-part series telling the story of the Welsh Women's international team. Through the voices of players, managers, and pivotal figures in the game, the series reveals their fight for recognition and their progress towards reaching their first ever major tournament.
In Feast of Football, Carl Roberts, along with guests and players from the Wales team, will bring you all the news from camp, set against the stunning backdrop of the Swiss Mountains in a daily podcast available on BBC Sounds as well as a vodcast on BBC One Wales ahead of each of Wales' games.
On BBC Radio Cymru, Catrin Heledd delves into the history of the Wales Women's team in Creu Hanes where she'll be joined by trailblazers Professor Laura McAllister, Kath Morgan, Gwennan Harries and Captain, Angharad James.
Additionally, the poet and presenter, Ifor ap Glyn, explores Switzerland's history and discovers several unexpected Welsh connections in Be Wnaeth y Swisiaid i ni erioed?
Throughout the championship, podcasts, Y Coridor Ansicrwydd and Y Panel Chwaraeon as well as BBC Radio Wales' Phone-In will be bringing you the latest news and happenings.
Both BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru are also working in partnership with the Urdd, to give all primary pupils in Wales the opportunity to come together to sing, celebrate and inspire the Wales team ahead of Euro 2025 by singing along to the virtual Urdd Jambori.
In addition to this, BBC Radio Cymru 2 has a special playlist – Traciau Tîm Cymru – Euro 2025 – featuring contributions from players Ffion Morgan, Hannah Cain, and Lois Joel. They also have a competition offering five listeners the chance to win an official UEFA Women's Euro 2025 shirt and football, along with a BBC Radio Cymru 2 Wales flag. The competition will run for the five days leading up to the tournament, starting on Monday 30 June.
Interview with Helen Ward
BBC Cymru Wales caught up with Helen Ward, a former Wales player and now a pundit for BBC Radio Wales covering the Euros.
Where were you when Wales qualified for the Euros?
I was there in Dublin when they qualified, and it was truly amazing to witness. As a player, it would have been incredible, but being there commentating for BBC Cymru Wales and seeing it from this side of things is definitely the next best thing. I'm very grateful for the opportunities to still be involved, and in a position where I can still remain close to the team.
I actually couldn't speak for the last ten minutes of the game! It was a special moment to share with fellow pundits and commentators like Mark Poyser and Kath Morgan for BBC Radio Cymru, watching the scenes unfold on the pitch. It felt fantastic to be a part of it and it's a pivotal moment for Welsh women's sport, and indeed for sport in Wales as a whole.
How do you feel about the group that Wales are in?
We have a really good mix of players and a great balance of those with experience and those just starting out. It's an incredibly tough group, and with only sixteen teams in the tournament, they'll all be strong in their own way.
We probably couldn't have picked three tougher opponents – there aren't many groups that could be any harder. On paper, it doesn't get much tougher. However, you know the Welsh spirit and our underdog mentality, even if those on the outside don't share the belief. I know the belief within that squad and within Wales is super high.
What does success look like?
Firstly, qualifying for the tournament is success in itself. But I don't think the squad and staff will settle for that and won't want to just take part. I think reaching the quarter-finals, which won't be easy by any means, would be a fantastic achievement, and who know what can happen from there? This is a new experience for almost everyone in the squad, and that will bring fresh energy to the pitch. The excitement has been building since that night in December, we're right on the edge of it now, and it's all to play for. We really want to show everyone what Wales is all about.
Listen to Iconic: The Rise of the Women in Red on BBC Sounds
Saturday 28 June, Creu Hanes on BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds
Wednesday 2 July, Urdd Jambori on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru
Thursday 3 July, Euro 2025: Together Stronger 10.40pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Friday 4 July, Feast of Football (vodcast) 10.40pm on BBC One Wales
Friday 4 July, Feast of Football (a daily podcast throughout the tournament) on BBC Sounds
Saturday 5 July, Wales v Netherlands K.O 5.00pm on BBC One
Sunday 6 July, Be Wnaeth y Swisiaid i ni erioed? on BBC Radio Cymru
Monday 7 and Friday 11 July, Y Panel Chwareon on BBC Sounds
MER
Follow for more
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The inspirational football club helping everyone enjoy the beautiful game - as England captain Leah Williamson pays it a visit
Ever been told football is a 'man's game'? One up-and-coming footballer, Fleur Cousens, grew so sick of hearing this claim that she decided to start her own grassroots club dedicated to proving football didn't need to be gendered. The young coach founded Goal Diggers FC in 2015, and it's since grown into a welcoming, vibrant community that gives everyone the chance to experience the joy of becoming part of a team, regardless of their ability or experience. After all, football doesn't just build athletes, it builds futures. By helping individuals feel part of something bigger, it gives them the confidence and motivation to succeed in other areas of life too. Fleur's success with Goal Diggers has attracted the attention of none other than England captain Leah Williamson OBE, who visited the club's base in north London to hear how they were helping more women take up football. 'It was me and 10 boys!' Fleur on how she began her coaching career Going through any form of assessment can be daunting, but it's even more so when you stand out from everyone else taking part. 'When I did the coaching course it was just me with 10 teenage boys,' she says. 'I was able to show my skills - with respect to the teenage boys - and I started coaching right away.' The footballing legend was recently named one of Weetabix's 'all-star' athletes joining Sir Mo Farah, Ade Adepitan MBE and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill to help the nation achieve their goals bix by bix, a role she's using to help further her mission of getting more women and girls into the beautiful game. A video of the visit shows Fleur telling Leah about her inspiration for starting Goal Diggers, and how it's gone on to change her life. 'I was fed up of being told football was a man's game - so the whole point of Goal Diggers is to make sure that no one's ever told no,' she says. 'Football has the power to change lives. Goal Diggers is my world, it's my community, it's where I feel most myself.' Meanwhile, other players share how the club has helped them find a community that now goes far beyond football, even though that's what brought them together. The footballer is deeply impressed by Fleur's achievement, telling her: 'The power of football is that you're one of many, so to tap into that is fantastic. 'I think when I reflect on my career it will be the people I think about more than anything else.' Goal Diggers is a shining example of what can happen when everyone is given the tools and support they need to achieve their ambitions. The chance to start playing football in a supportive and friendly environment has proved popular, with the side now boasting more than 200 members. Great starts are still central to Leah's success too, which is why she chooses Weetabix as her pre-match meal. 'A bit of Weetabix with milk suits me perfectly - I'm a plain girl anyway!' she tells Fleur while they break away from training to enjoy a bowl. But while not all of us are running out for England, we are all facing our own challenges every single day. And to do so with confidence, with energy and focus, we can learn from the Weetabix all-stars about what everyday habits help them be the best they can. From having a healthy breakfast to set you up for the day to joining in team sports to boost self-confidence and feel part of something bigger, there are many tips we can take from these top athletes. And let's share their secrets! Success is all about proper preparation, and by making Weetabix, part of this you can have a little bit of help to take on whatever the day brings**. And, just like that, we can all help Britain chase its ambitions Bix by Bix. Buy to send a FREE 24-pack of Weetabix* and give a great start to someone's day Give a great start to someone's day: Send a FREE pack of Weetabix Have you had your Weetabix? Feels amazing, doesn't it? Now you can do your bit to help rebuild Britain Bix by Bix by gifting a free 24-pack of Weetabix to a friend or relative who could benefit from an extra boost during a busy week. This could be anyone, from a friend who's training for a marathon to a parent wanting to feel energetic ahead of the school holidays. All you need to do is buy a Weetabix 48 or 24-pack and scan the QR code on display. This will then allow you to choose who you want to send a free 24-pack. Whoever it is, they'll be sure to thank you! *Weetabix 48 pack or 24 pack, scan the QR code on the display or visit to enter. **Weetabix is a good source of Thiamin, Niacin, folic acid which contributes to normal psychological function as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Weetabix is a good source of Iron which contributes to normal cognitive function as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Weetabix is a good source of Riboflavin, Niacin, Folic Acid and Iron which contribute to reduction of tiredness and fatigue as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
The Guardian
40 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Women's Euro 2025 team guides: Portugal
This article is part of the Guardian's Euro 2025 Experts' Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 16 countries who qualified. is running previews from two teams each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 2 July. Portugal want more. After featuring at the 2017 and 2022 European Championships, as well as the 2023 World Cup, the 'Navigators' think that the time has come to do more than just taking part. This time they want to do something unprecedented for the women's team: to get out of the group and Switzerland, a country with a large Portuguese community, is an ideal place to make history. The qualifying campaign fuelled this sense of expectation. Portugal did not lose any of the 10 games they played – six in the first phase and then four more in two playoff rounds against Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic. The recent Nations League campaign was a wake-up call though and old doubts have resurfaced: are Portugal really ready to fight against the strongest teams on the continent? After a promising start, with a draw at home against England and a win in Belgium, Francisco Neto's team endured four consecutive defeats – conceding 20 goals and scoring only three – and ended up relegated to League B. The results also reflected the absence of some of the team's key figures: Kika Nazareth (Barcelona) sustained a serious injury in March; Lúcia Alves (Benfica) missed more than half the season and Jéssica Silva (Gotham) had an eye problem. They are all in the squad but there are question marks over how match-ready they will be. 'We are not in the cycle we want to be, where we deserve to be, and where we have worked to be,' Neto said recently. 'There is no other way to turn things around than through hard work and focus. It's worth remembering that not everything is fine just because we win and not everything is wrong when we lose. These are difficult times for us as the team have got us used to success.' Now it is up to Neto to get the squad back on track but the first assignment couldn't be tougher: Spain in Berne on 3 July. Francisco Neto is only 43 years old, but has been in his position for over a decade. Having started in 2014, when Portugal were 43rd in the Fifa rankings, he has overseen a rise to 22nd and historic appearances at the World Cup and two European Championships. He has played a big part in this improvement, partly through his work as national coach but also ensuring that the sport has grown as a whole, in close collaboration with the clubs. He has had a core of players on his journey but has never been afraid to bring in younger squad members, leading to a constant evolution of the group. He will always have his legacy but the latest results indicate that we may be nearing the end of a cycle. The European Championship will tell whether Neto is still the right coach to take Portugal to new heights or whether it is time for a shake-up. 'The development of Portuguese women's football is much more than the Nations League,' he said before the tournament. Kika Nazareth is the reference point in a new era of Portuguese women's football. This is the new, more professional, more competitive and more capable era. More captivating too. Now there are children in Portugal who are named after her – that is the impact she is having. She is not the first Portuguese female player to join a top European club – others have played for Barcelona, in fact – but now the context is different, even in financial terms. Benfica received €500,000 for Nazareth, who immediately conquered Catalonia with her footballing quality but also her joy and smile. A serious injury in March threatened her place at the Euros but she made the squad and even the presence of a half-fit Nazareth will give the other players a boost. 'But wait for me: because no matter how long the road, I will return,' she wrote on social media after the injury, quoting a poem by Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Telma Encarnação. Born in Madeira, like Cristiano Ronaldo, she is also obsessed with goals. Scored Portugal's first goal at a World Cup, against Vietnam, in 2023. It took her a while to pluck up the courage to leave her native island, but last summer she moved to Sporting and scored 12 times. She's only 23 and is still establishing herself as the main focal point for the Portuguese attack. It looks as if she will be around for some time. The results of the national team reflect the evolution of the domestic competitions, helped along the way by a development strategy launched by the former FPF board, and supported by clubs. The number of licensed players has tripled in the last decade, and is now close to 15,000. As a result the number of teams and competitions/games has grown, and young players have conditions that their older colleagues could only have dreamed of. About 50% of the players in the top flight are professionals but it is a very different picture between the haves and the have-nots in the league. In March 2023 a new record for women's domestic football was set with 27,000 watching the Benfica v Sporting game. That was beaten last season as Porto, who had only formed their women's team at the start of the campaign, attracted 31,000 fans to their first game. Also at Dragão, the national team had the support of 40,000 supporters against Czech Republic in the qualifying playoff for the Euros. To get past the group stage for the first time at a major tournament. The Portugal team guide was written by Nuno Travassos for A Bola.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Emma Raducanu's fightback in vain but Dan Evans stuns another star
Emma Raducanu's up-and-down preparations for Wimbledon ended on a slightly deflating note as she was knocked out of Eastbourne by the Australian Maya Joint, but Dan Evans's recent resurgence continued as he defeated the American Tommy Paul to record his second win against a top-20 player in as many weeks. Raducanu's was an extraordinary match in which she showed remarkable resilience, fighting back from 2-5 down in the final set and surviving three attempts by Joint to serve out victory. When Raducanu won the first point against serve in the tie-break to lead 4-3, it seemed the momentum was with her, but Joint recovered brilliantly to win four of the final five points. It means that Raducanu goes into Wimbledon having reached just two quarter-finals this season, at Queen's and in Miami, and still struggling with a back issue. However, she said that she intends to 'step on the court' at Wimbledon regardless. 'I've just been managing it,' she added. 'Hopefully I can recover. I still have a few days before Wimbledon, so I'm looking forward to kind of recovering, and hopefully it settles. 'It bothers me. I wouldn't say it's like I can't move. Like a lot of athletes, we all carry something that we're managing and playing through, but it's OK, I can play, and I can still put out some pretty decent tennis.' Indeed, after a difficult period in which she also received some bad personal news that left her visibly emotional after her previous match, there was much to credit the British No1 in this performance against one of the rising young players in women's tennis, the 19-year-old world No51. Raducanu recovered strongly from losing the first two games in the first set, but when she slipped 2-0 behind in the second, it seemed to signal a much more decisive shift. Joint played very well, using her powers of dogged retrieval to force Raducanu to constantly play an extra shot, and often drawing the error. At one stage Joint won 11 in a run of 14 games, but, looking for only her third win against a top-50 player, she tightened up on the brink of victory, and Raducanu enacted a thrilling fightback. She broke for 5-3, then again to love to get back to 5-5, then dropped her own serve, before summoning another brilliant return game to force the tie-break. But Joint, the second-youngest player in the top 80, showed great character to get over the line, winning 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4). Evans, meanwhile, has tumbled down the rankings over the past two years, but he, by contrast, goes into Wimbledon — where he has a wild-card entry into the main draw — on the crest of a wave, having added the scalp of world No13 Paul to that of Frances Tiafoe, who was also ranked 13th when Evans beat him at Queen's last week. Showing his trademark court-craft, 35-year-old Evans, who has spoken about wanting to make the most of the time that he has left in his career, came through a topsy-turvy match to knock out Paul, the second seed, and a player of significant grass-court pedigree having won Queen's and reached the Wimbledon quarter-final last year. After the first two sets were shared, Evans broke early in the decider, but was pegged back at 4-3. But he then broke Paul again and served out to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 and earn a quarter-final against another American, Jenson Brooksby. A tearful Evans told the BBC: 'I know I've done the work and once I got some confidence, I knew that the work was in the bank… A good friend said, 'If the door opens and you're ready, you'll walk through it, if you're not, you won't,' and there's no truer word.' Evans is joined in the quarter-finals by Billy Harris, the British men's No4, who was impressive in his 6-3, 6-4 victory over the Italian Mattia Bellucci. He will meet the fourth seed, the French world No20 Ugo Humbert, and could play Evans in the semi-finals. Earlier, Jodie Burrage became the second British player this week to lose to the reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova after holding multiple match points. Krejcikova, who had saved two match points against Harriet Dart on Tuesday, fell 0-40 down serving at 5-6 in the third set, but Burrage could not take any of her three opportunities, missing a down-the-line pass on the first of them, losing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3). Jacob Fearnley showed glimmers of an excellent grass-court game in reaching the Queen's quarter-final and dispatching the world No24 Flavio Cobolli on Tuesday, but he was disappointingly off his best as he succumbed 6-3, 6-1 to the American Marcos Giron. And Fran Jones, the fifth-ranked British woman, who was on Raducanu's coaching bench, also went out, losing 6-2, 6-1 against Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska. Joint was not the only youngster to impress. Alexandra Eala, 20, of the Philippines, the third-youngest player in the top 80, has already beaten Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys this season, and she continued her rise by beating the third seed, Jelena Ostapenko, in three sets after Ostapenko retired with a foot injury. Meanwhile, at Roehampton, Hamish Stewart and Oliver Tarvet advanced to the final round of Wimbledon qualifying, and are now just one win away from a place in the main draw.
