The Women`s Euro tournament has reached its thrilling semifinal stage, with the final four teams epitomizing the unexpected turns and compelling performances witnessed throughout this summer`s competition in Switzerland.
As anticipated, Women`s World Cup champions Spain and reigning European titleholders England have advanced to the semifinals, solidifying their status as top contenders for the trophy. These two powerhouses could potentially face off in Sunday`s grand finale, mirroring their World Cup final clash two years prior. They are joined by two less expected but fiercely determined nations: Italy and Germany, both of whom navigated significant challenges to reach this elite stage.
Eight-time Euro winners Germany have experienced a period of fluctuating fortunes in recent years, from reaching the 2022 final to a surprising group stage exit at the subsequent World Cup, followed by a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics. This inconsistency has again been evident in Switzerland, yet they have impressively powered through to the Euro semifinals – a stage many would have predicted for them before the tournament commenced.
Among the semifinalists, Italy stands out as the true dark horse. They haven`t secured a knockout stage victory at the Euros since 1997, nor have they progressed beyond the World Cup quarterfinals. However, this summer, Le Azzurre have lived up to their burgeoning reputation as a rising force. This tournament already marks a historic achievement for them, but the prospect of an even deeper run fuels immense excitement. They are now competing for their first Euro final berth since 1997, and potentially their first major trophy ever.
The semifinals kick off on Tuesday with England battling Italy, while Spain and Germany are set to clash on Wednesday. All teams vie for a spot in Sunday`s championship match at St. Jakob-Park in Basel.
Here`s an assessment of the four teams remaining in the Women`s Euro.
4. Italy
Italy is steadily ascending the European football hierarchy, proving their mettle in a group that included Portugal and Belgium, but truly making their statement with a 2-1 quarterfinal triumph over Norway. Against Norway, a former World Cup winner and a historical regional heavyweight, Italy was clearly the superior side, with Cristiana Girelli netting both goals to enter the Golden Boot race. Facing England, one of the world`s premier teams, might prove to be an exceptionally stern challenge for the burgeoning Italians, who managed only three goals during the group stage. Nevertheless, Tuesday`s encounter against England will serve as a crucial benchmark for Le Azzurre, especially after their dominant performance against Norway`s defense and England`s occasional defensive frailties.
3. Germany
History often favors Germany, and even entering the tournament, there was a sense of optimism for the eight-time European champions. Their performance this summer, however, has been inconsistent, largely attributable to a significant injury list, including captain Giulia Gwinn and defenders Franziska Kett and Sarai Linder – the latter having exited Saturday`s quarterfinal win against France with an issue. Furthermore, Christian Wuck`s squad will be without center-back Kathrin Hendrich for the semifinals following her red card on Saturday, leaving Germany considerably understaffed against Spain. Despite these setbacks, they still boast impactful players like midfielder Jule Brand and goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who emerged as the hero in the penalty shootout against France. Their resilience, demonstrated by taking the game to penalties after being reduced to ten players in the 13th minute, underscores that Germany should not be underestimated.
2. England
England`s strengths are now unequivocally defined, with their formidable attack standing out as their greatest asset. They have netted 13 goals in the competition so far, distributed among 10 different goalscorers, showcasing a healthy blend of seasoned veterans like Lauren James and emerging talents like Michelle Agyemang playing crucial roles. For this reason alone, they are heavily favored against Italy – and most other teams. However, the primary reason they aren`t neck-and-neck with Spain for the top spot is their defensive inconsistency. A 2-1 defeat to France in the group stage and their 2-2 draw in the quarterfinals against Sweden revealed that the Lionesses can struggle with physicality and appear vulnerable at the back, a weakness that could prove costly against various skilled opponents.
1. Spain
This title has largely been Spain`s to lose since the tournament began, and nearly three weeks in, that perception remains firmly intact. La Roja have sailed into the semifinals, boasting an impressive 16 goals scored while conceding only three. Esther Gonzalez has been in stellar form with four goals, complementing her status as the NWSL`s current leading goalscorer, while Alexia Putellas has contributed three of her own. While a reasonable argument could be made that they`ve yet to face a truly formidable test, and it`s uncertain if an understaffed Germany will provide one, Spain`s journey to the semifinals nevertheless reinforces their status as favorites. They possess an abundance of the world`s finest attacking talent, a collective and individual prowess poised to lead them forward, irrespective of the opposition.
