England will seek to retain the title of the Women’s Eurocup and the defending champions travel to Switzerland as one of the favorites in the 16 team tournament, despite the recent changes in the team, after winning the last time and ending as runner -ups of Spain in the 2023 World Cup.
The Euro 2022 saw England triumph at home and ensure the first senior title in the country since the male team won the World Cup in 1966. And, in a country passionate about football, that success has increased the expectation around the Leonesase
“My experience is that before a great tournament there is always noise. So we expect noise until we enter the tournament, and it probably remains,” said England coach Sarina Wiegman.
“The difference is that … now, simply the attention and visibility of women’s football have increased so much. So it seems that there is more noise, but there is simply more conversation, more journalists here … we just have to deal with that and move on and focus on football.”
Wiegman, 55, who assumed the position of the Leonesas in September 2021, seeks to achieve a triplet of Eurocup titles, since he took the Netherlands to the trophy in 2017.
However, a chaotic week before the announcement of your team for the Euro 2025 saw several key and experienced players withdraw from the selection for the tournament.
The defender star Millie Bright declared himself not available, saying that she was not ready “100% mentally or physically”, while the goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby retired from international football. The three were part of the winning team of the title of England in Euro 2022.
“We can only control ourselves and how good we can be. Of course there will be times when it will weigh more than others, but ultimately I think we are very focused on this new task that has changed drastically,” said England’s captain, Leah Williamson.
“The two tournaments of the Eurocup are really incomparable in terms of what is there and what is to come,” he added, “I think it will be very exciting for us and we are excited by that new challenge as this new team.”
Bright underwent knee surgery, but Earps’s surprise movement occurred after he was behind Hannah Hampton of Chelsea in the order of porters. This leaves Hampton as the only goalkeeper with experience in a relatively inexperienced team.
The group includes 13 players who raised the trophy three years ago, but there are also seven players who go to their first great tournament.
And Wiegman hopes to have found a experience of experience and youth.
“When I arrived, the team was very experienced. But I think we have enough experience in the team. There are about 16 players who have played a great tournament. Also when playing in such a high level club, you have experience with the media around, playing for great crowds. So I don’t think that is a problem,” Wiegman added.
“I think the experience is enough, the balance with the very young, with players who are entering and playing their first tournament, they are also very anxious.”
In the preparation for Euro 2025, the Leonas had ups and downs in the League of Nations, where in their last three games they lost in Belgium 3-2, they beat Portugal at home 6-0 and lost in Spain 2-1.
So there is uncertainty about the defense of the team’s title, which begins with an opening match of Group D against France on July 5 in Zurich.
England also plays against the Netherlands, which is the nation of origin of Wiegman, as well as against the debutant of the Wales Tournament.
“Before each tournament, things are different. And, to be honest, before each tournament you have your doubts. I think that is completely normal because if we all knew what was going to happen, then it would also be very boring,” Wiegman added.
