Above: Box Hill United score the winning goal from the penalty spot.
Box Hill and Boroondara-Carey played out a five goal thriller, with Sofia Sakalis’s solo run helping decide the game.
Box Hill entered Round 14 with the announcement of a new signing. Dual Melbourne City premiership winner Rhianna Pollicina returned to the club to join the attack and wear the armband. She was accompanied by fellow A-League Women’s forward Carina Rossi who would form part of an attack with club icon Sofia Sakalis and Sienna Techera. When combined with the promising form of rising star Georgia Karaparidis and American import Josephine Aulicino, Box Hill suddenly look like a club that needs to supply popcorn at home game for the pure entertainment on show.
Their opponents may not boast as many big names but are now seasoned campaigners in this league and routinely find themselves challenging more established clubs for honours or ladder position. 2025 has been no exception for Boroondara-Carey Eagles and the visitors could not be taken lightly.
Box Hill started the brighter of the two teams. It is not unusual to dominate possession against Boroondara, but is can be difficult to forge chances against one of the league’s better counter-attacking sides.
The home sound found no such problem, a header from a corner kick bounced off the crossbar in the opening minutes.
It was not long before Box Hill had the lead and it was through the skill and style of Pollicina.
Sakalis and Techera combined out wide to put Aulicino in a shooting position. Her effort was blocked but the ball spun up into the air and fell kindly for Pollicina to volley home from close range.
In response, Boroondara went on the attack and nearly drew level through Drew Dempsey. The winger’s shot from wide did not seek to trouble Chloe McKenzie in goal but was a reminder of the danger in giving Boroondara half a chance.
That danger came to pass when Candela Ferreyra-Bas earned a penalty in the closing stages of the half. The former Box Hill player picked herself up to score from the spot kick herself and level the scores.
Box Hill retook the lead in the second half. Nikolina Bucalo’s cross from the right caused chaos in the Boroondara defence and Katie Cox was able to bundle it home to make it 2-1.
Another Box Hill attack almost provided a two goal cushion, but Angeliki Hondoulas cleared off the line to keep Boroondara in the game.
That almost proved fateful when Hayley Geurts’s free kick from very long range fizzed into the bottom corner for Boroondara’s second equaliser.
The visitor’s defensive efforts look to have earned them a valuable point, but in the 86th minute Sakalis had other plans. The attacker went on a long trademark run through the middle of the park and earned a penalty which Aulicino placed beyond Mia Mossman.
It is the type of chance few players in this or the A-League Women could create. Sakalis had the rare ability to carry the ball through central areas and attack with great pace and purpose. She’s a weapon and she delivered when Box Hill needed her most.
The result had implications at the top half of the table with Boroondara being leapfrogged by Bulleen Lions.
Box Hill will travel to face Bentleigh Greens and build on their improving form.
Around The Grounds
A long ranger screamer from Julia Budiongo sealed three points for SpringHills at home to Essendon Royals.
Olivia Wood opened the scoring for Essendon in the first half after finishing a great counter attack. Maja Markovski levelled things up with a well placed header from a Spring Hills corner.
Mami Albo scored with an effort from the wing to give the home side a deserved lead. It may have been a cross but it looked on target the moment it left her boot. Budiongo’s long range drive ensured the win for Spring Hills FC.
Preston Lions hosted Bulleen and played out a game of two halves. The visitors ended the first half 3-0 ahead thanks to a brilliant run and chip from Ava Briedis, a scrambled close range finish from Isabella Accardo and powerful strike from Hollie Massie. It could have been more but Paige Zois’s effort skimmed the crossbar.
Preston brought themselves back into the match almost immediately after half time. Mebae Tanaka’s goal brought it back to 3–1 and Valentine Pursey’s 75th minute strike ensured a frenetic finish.
Bulleen held on for the win and find themselves in third place after the game between Alamein and South Melbourne.
A solitary goal separated the two top four sides. South Melbourne captain Francesca Iermano delivered her team the three points in the 88th minute.
A Rebecca Saber equaliser was not enough to rescue Bentleigh Greens against Brunswick Juventus.
The 55tu minute goal came either side of strikes from Natalia O’Leary and Sienna Cappola to secure an important win for the home side.
Sarah O’Donoghue’s first half brace gave Heidelberg United a 2-1 lead against a spirited FV Academy.
A well worked move that ended in an Emily Rutkowski goal levelled the scores in the second half but Heidelberg went up another gear and won 4-2 thanks to goals from Brontë Peel and new signing Caitlin Karic.
Following last week’s draw against South Melbourne, it was another strong performance by FV Academy against top quality opposition. It was not until Peel’s goal on the counter attack that the win looked safe for Heidelberg United.
Round 15 will see the runaway leaders face South Melbourne in what shapes to be the game of the round, but elsewhere third placed Bulleen face Alamein in fourth in a must win match for both sides.
Above: University of Sydney and Sydney Olympic line up before their match Photo: Georgie Lewis
As the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition enters its final stretch, Round 17 delivered another set of compelling storylines.
With several teams missing key players due to Young Matildas camp, the weekend tested depth, resilience, and tactical adaptability. From APIA’s upset of the league leaders to Sydney Uni’s composed win over an in-form Olympic, every match carried serious implications for the top four.
Here’s how the action unfolded across the grounds:
Match of the Round – APIA Leichhardt 2-0 Mt Druitt Town Rangers At Lambert Park, APIA Leichhardt reignited their finals hopes with a statement 2-0 victory over table-topping Mt Druitt Town Rangers. From the outset, APIA looked sharp and hungry, matching Mt Druitt’s physicality and pressing them into uncomfortable positions.
Their opener came at a crucial time — just before the break — when Sophie Hoban finished off a flowing team move with a confident strike. In the second half, APIA maintained the intensity, with Ash Brodigan doubling the lead after a clever build-up on the right flank. Brodigan’s finish was composed, capping off a complete performance from Brad Attard’s side.
The win hands Mt Druitt only their second loss of the season and serves as a reminder that APIA, despite recent inconsistency, remain a serious threat. With the Sapphire Cup final between these two sides looming, this result could also be a psychological boost for the inner-west outfit.
Bulls FC Academy 3-1 Northern Tigers Bulls FC Academy extended their unbeaten streak to ten matches in a performance that showcased both style and steel. Claudia Valletta opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a curling free-kick from the left wing — a moment of individual brilliance that set the tone for the rest of the match.
Northern Tigers responded seven minutes later when Nicola Dominikovich showed persistence in the box, capitalising on a loose ball to level the score. But the Bulls, brimming with confidence, hit back almost instantly. Tamires Souza ghosted into the box and buried Valletta’s cross with a composed header just before the break.
In the second half, Bulls tightened their grip. Petria Phillips capped off the performance with a stunning long-range strike that rocketed into the top corner — a goal worthy of the highlight reel. The Bulls now sit well-positioned on the ladder and are one of the most in-form sides in the competition. Their blend of attacking fluency and defensive organisation has made them a dark horse for the premiership.
Sydney University 2-0 Sydney Olympic At Sydney Uni Football Ground, the hosts delivered one of their most complete performances of the season, frustrating an Olympic side riding a five-game winning streak. Despite several key absences, Uni looked organised and confident in their structure.
They struck early through Jenny Hill, who found space in the box to nod home a pinpoint cross. The first half was an even contest statistically, but Uni’s defensive shape and work rate stood out. Olympic, who have surged up the table in recent weeks, struggled to break down a disciplined back line.
As the game wore on, Olympic committed more bodies forward — and Uni made them pay. In stoppage time, substitute Poppy Tay burst into space on the counter and unselfishly squared it for Hill, who slammed home her second and sent the Uni bench into celebration. It was a professional, composed win that keeps Sydney Uni within reach of a late push.
Illawarra Stingrays 1-1 NWS Spirit Down the south coast at Macedonia Park, third-placed Illawarra Stingrays and fourth-placed NWS Spirit played out a tense, high-stakes 1-1 draw. The opening goal came in the 18th minute when a misplayed pass out from the back by the Stingrays allowed Princess Ibini to calmly slot into the bottom corner for Spirit.
Spirit, who have struggled to convert pressure into goals in recent weeks, were without key forward Skye Halmarick due to Young Matildas duty — a notable absence in a side still looking to rediscover its early-season attacking rhythm.
Despite the setback, the Stingrays grew into the game, and their pressure finally told in the 76th minute. A looping cross from Siobhan Edwards caused chaos, leading to a rebound that Kaelah Austin hammered into the roof of the net. It was a deserved equaliser for the hosts, who once again showed their ability to grind out results.
But for both sides, it was an opportunity missed. Illawarra continue to lead the league in draws — a pattern that could haunt them if they can’t start turning one point into three.
Macarthur Rams 3-0 UNSW At Lynwood Park, the Rams rediscovered their scoring touch in a dominant 3-0 win over an inconsistent UNSW side. Tea Mucenski opened the scoring with a brilliant back-to-goal finish after Darcey Malone’s deflected shot fell into her path. Her awareness and execution gave Macarthur the early edge.
Shortly after halftime, Mucenski turned provider, swinging in a pinpoint cross from the left that Bronte Trew coolly converted. Then, in the 77th minute, Sakura Nojima split the UNSW defence with a perfectly-weighted through ball, and Halle Callow raced through to finish with precision.
It was the kind of performance that Macarthur — last season’s champions — have needed. While they’ve been off the pace this year, this result could be a turning point heading into a difficult run home.
Manly United 2-0 Newcastle Jets Manly United kept pace with the top four after a solid 2-0 win at Cromer Park. The match began in even fashion, but Manly soon found their stride. In the 20th minute, Lucy Richards released Nicole Stuart on the right wing, and she made no mistake with the finish.
Manly controlled much of the contest from there, though they had to wait until the 85th minute to double their advantage. Stuart turned provider, setting up substitute Sienna Dale, who whipped in a precise cross for Anita Zordan to bury at the back post.
The Jets, still winless in their last seven, showed glimpses of attacking intent but were again undone by lapses in concentration and a lack of cutting edge. For Manly, the clean sheet and three points could prove vital in what’s shaping up to be a chaotic finals race.
Gladesville Ravens 2-1 Western Sydney Wanderers The final match of the round saw Gladesville Ravens come from behind to defeat the Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 at Christie Park. On a chilly evening, it was the visitors who struck first — Olivia Vanderlaan found Amy Barker in the box, and the Wanderers forward fired low into the corner.
But the Ravens, who had snapped their winless streak last week, weren’t rattled. Allyssa Ng Saad continued her red-hot form, drawing her side level with a composed finish in the 56th minute.
Then came the winner: a relentless high press forced the Wanderers into an error while playing out from the back, and Patricia Charalambous capitalised with a powerful strike that found the net despite Aimee Hall getting a hand to it.
It was another gutsy win for Lauren Phelps’ side, who now seem to be turning a corner at just the right time.
Ladder Check – After Round 17
Mt Druitt Town Rangers – 35 pts (16 played)
Bulls FC Academy – 33 pts (17 played)
Manly United – 31 pts (17 played)
Illawarra Stingrays – 31 pts (17 played)
NWS Spirit – 30 pts (17 played)
APIA Leichhardt – 27 pts (17 played)
Northern Tigers – 25 pts (16 played)
UNSW – 25 pts (17 played)
Gladesville Ravens – 20 pts (17 played)
Sydney Olympic – 18 pts (16 played)
Western Sydney Wanderers – 18 pts (17 played)
Sydney University – 15 pts (16 played)
Macarthur Rams – 12 pts (17 played)
Newcastle Jets –9 pts (17 played)
Top four qualify for finals. Bottom team faces relegation.
🇦🇺 Young Matildas Watch – Round 17 Absences
With the Young Matildas in camp this week, 14 NPL NSW clubs were affected by player absences — with many missing key starters. While some clubs were able to adapt, others felt the strain as the finals race intensified.
NWS Spirit
Skye Halmarick (FWD)
Rubi Sullivan (DEF) Spirit’s attacking edge was blunted without Halmarick, and their backline missed Sullivan’s presence.
Macarthur Rams
Tegan Bertolissio (DEF)
Amelia Cassar (MID)
India Breier (FWD)
Maya Lobo (DEF) A heavily depleted Rams squad stepped up impressively in a 3-0 win.
Bulls FC Academy
Amber Luchtmeijer (FWD)
Avaani Prakash (MID) Still dominant, the Bulls’ depth continues to shine.
Illawarra Stingrays
Sienna Saveska (FWD)
Caley Tallon-Henniker (FWD) With their regular forwards out, the Stingrays again struggled to secure all three points.
Northern Tigers
Jasmine Black (GK) A crucial defensive leader absent in their 3-1 loss to the Bulls.
Sydney University
Madeleine Caspers (MID) Creative spark missing, but others filled the void.
Sydney Olympic
Tiana Fuller (FWD)
Peta Trimis (FWD) Olympic lacked their usual dynamism up front.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Amelia Bennett (DEF)
Talia Younis (MID) Both absences contributed to Wanderers’ inability to close out their lead.
Despite the disruption, the round showcased impressive squad depth and rising stars across the league.
Above: Jess Flannery (azure shirt) gets in a shot against Perth RedStar. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
30/6/25
We’ve assembled a group of people who are watching the competition’s matches especially closely to identify the league’s most consistent players each month. For May, Ben Gilby, Kelechi Osunwa, and Tommy Doleman produced a shortlist of players, from which the winner was selected.
The shortlist
Abbey Meakins (Balcatta Etna)
Above: Abbey Meakins in action for Balcatta Etna. Photo: Denyse McCulloch
For the second month in a row, Abbey Meakins has a nomination for the award, as she has been a key part of the Balcatta side whose winning run is now up to seven games after another successful month. Meakins’ role as the highly influential link-up between her side’s talented midfield and forward line has had another superb spell, as the team, who were several people’s title favourites in pre-season, now close in on the top two. On top of her combination play, Meakins has contributed a hefty total of eight of her side’s 20 goals in June in games against UWA-Nedlands, Subiaco, and Murdoch University Melville.
Abbey Green (Fremantle City)
Above: Abbey Green (right) has had an extremely prolific month for in-form Fremantle City. Photo: Celina Lyons
It was an extremely tough start to the season for Fremantle City – one which has made it almost inconceivable that they will continue their record of qualifying for the Top Four Cup during the NPLW era. However, with flying winger Abbey Green beginning to exert her influence on proceedings, the harbour city side have been racking up the wins and the goals in June. Green has contributed nine of Freo’s total of 24 goals in league and cup this month, with strikes in her side’s three games against Murdoch University Melville, and UWA-Nedlands.
Sakura Leong (Football West Academy)
Above: It’s been an excellent month for Sakura Leong. Photo: Football West.
As the season approaches its two-thirds stage, the Football West Academy continues to show its huge potential, and Sakura Leong has been an exceptionally dangerous member of the teenage side. Her ability to show great pace and passing ability along the flank has not only provided assists and crucial balls into the box, but also three goals.
Caitlin Doeglas (Perth RedStar)
Above: Caitlin Doeglas shoots for Perth RedStar. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Perth RedStar’s imperious march to the top of the ladder during the month saw them extend their winning run to seven matches prior to Saturday’s game at Perth SC. Caitlin Doeglas played a hugely influential role in their June games, which saw the defending champions win three of their four league and cup matches, scoring seven times in the month. On top of this, the attacker has delivered a succession of dangerous corners, which significantly added to her side’s goalscoring tally.
Impetus NPLW WA Player of the Month for June 2025:
Jess Flannery (Perth SC)
Above: Jess Flannery (azure shirt) battles away against the Football West Academy. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Whilst Flannery has not scored as many goals as some of the attackers who have also been nominated this month, her exceptional display in her side’s Round 13 victory over Perth RedStar was the deciding factor for our panel in making her June’s winner.
The striker from the Kalgoorlie Goldfields used her guile to find space at regular intervals against RedStar and not just profit from pinpoint passes through to her to score twice in the game, but also use vision to provide on-the-money balls to tie the defending champions’ defence in knots.
In addition to her performance against RedStar, Flannery has re-established her superb telepathic-like partnership with Ella Lincoln, which has created a number of assists and goals through June.
After the frustrations of a season-ending injury in 2024, Flannery, who hit four goals during the month, is approaching her best form as the campaign approaches its home straight.
Impetus NPLW WA Player of the Month Roll of Honour 2025 season
Above: The Netherlands starting line up ahead of their fixture against South Africa. Photo: Oranjeleeuwinnen.
The Netherlands took home the Euros trophy in 2017 but have underwhelmed since. This summer, the side want to impress once more and make it past the quarterfinals.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal), Lize Kop (Tottenham), Danielle de Jong (Twente)
Defenders: Lynn Wilms (Unattached), Caitlin Dijkstra (VfL Wolfsburg), Ilse van der Zanden (Utrecht), Veerle Buurman (PSV), Merel van Dongen (Monteerey), Kerstin Casparij(Manchester City), Dominique Janssen (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Jill Roord (PSV), Sherida Spitse (Ajax), Danielle van de Donk (Lyon), Victoria Pelova (Arsenal), Damaris Egurrola (Lyon), Jackie Groenen (Paris Saint-Germain), Wieke Kaptein (Chelsea)
Andries Jonker was appointed as the Netherlands Women’s head coach in 2022 with a contract which stretched to the end of the 2025 Euros. It has now been confirmed that this contract will not be extended and that Arjan Veurink will become the new head coach after this summer.
So far, Jonker has experienced 33 games in charge. These fixtures have resulted in 19 wins, four draws and ten losses.
Euros history:
It was not until 2009 that the Netherlands qualified for the European Championships, and it was in this debut year that they made it to the semi-finals. However, at the next tournament, in 2013, the side exited in the group stage after they failed to gain any wins.
Sarina Wiegman then led her Dutch team to victory on home soil in 2017. This win changed the trajectory of women’s football in the Netherlands as it prompted a growth in popularity and increased following of the women’s game.
Following this outstanding performance in 2017, fans had high hopes for the Netherlands at the 2022 Euros. Despite these, the squad exited the tournament in the quarter-finals after losing to France in extra time.
How they qualified:
The Netherlands finished second in their qualification group which included Italy, Norway and Finland. The side won two of their matches, drew three and lost one. Ultimately, it was an equaliser from Vivianne Miedema in their last game which secured their place at the Euros.
Strengths:
It is the attacking energy which is perhaps the Netherlands’ greatest strength. Their attack is technical, fast and incredibly clinical which lends to pressure on defenders and goalkeepers.
Another stand out element of the Netherlands’ play is their set pieces. Sherida Spitse can deliver targeted corners and free kicks which her teammates can transfer into goals. The team utilises high advantages during these set pieces and therefore pose aerial threats.
Additionally, the composition of their squad is a strength in itself. The Dutch squad consists of players with experience and younger ballers who have emerged more recently. This means that there are members who experienced the 2017 Euros win and are hungry for more success and players who will be attending their first tournament and are therefore yearning for victories.
Development areas:
The team’s Euros history highlights one of their biggest weaknesses, their lack of consistency. The side have gone from making it to the semi-finals to failing to escape the group stage and also from champions to being knocked out during the quarterfinals. Their 2025 qualifiers performance highlights this pattern as they experienced wins, losses and draws.
The Netherlands are also vulnerable in defensive transitions with their full backs often leaving space behind them that teams can quickly break through. This weakness was exploited by France in 2022 and ultimately caused the Dutch side to be knocked out of the tournament.
Recent matches that the Netherlands have played against top teams have shown that whilst they have a creative midfield, they often do not think quickly enough to keep the ball. This poses as an issue when excellent teams, like Sweden and Germany, press aggressively or change their tactics as the Netherlands can be slow to adapt.
Key players:
Vivianne Miedema:
The Netherlands is home to exceptional attacking talent with a big name being Vivianne Miedema. Miedema is clinical in the box and plays intelligently during the build-up. After being deemed fit from an injury she’s been carrying since April, she’ll be crucial for the team if she can keep up fitness.
Daphne Van Domselaar:
At the other side of the pitch, Daphne van Domselaar will be in the net. The goalkeeper makes exceptional saves and has recently won the Champions League with Arsenal. Whilst her domestic experience is impressive, the keeper does have less international experience than the keepers of other top teams and this could cause an issue when she’s faced with excellent strikers during high pressure games.
One to watch:
One Dutch player to keep your eyes on during the tournament is Danielle van de Donk. The midfielder is exceptionally good at linking midfield and attack which enables aggressive play from the forwards.
Success would be:
The Netherlands are in a tough group and will therefore have the initial aim of making it out of the group stage. If they succeed with this first task, the team will want to make it to the semi-finals. Ending their tournament journey at this later stage will prove to fans that the team are not on the up and that the younger players that have been introduced are helping to positively shape the squad.
Prediction:
The Netherlands will most likely make it out of the group stage and then through to the quarter finals. Due to previous recent results and inconsistencies it’s likely that the side’s journey will end in the quarter or semi finals.
Group fixtures:
5th July – Wales, Swissporarena, 5pm UK time
9th July – England, Letzigrund, 5pm UK time
13th July – France, St. Jakob-Park, 8pm UK time
This is the latest part of our Euros nation previews – click on the links below to view the previous articles:
By Ella McShane at the Kong Power Stadium for Impetus (29/06/2025)
England had the perfect send-off to the 2025 Euros by beating Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz 7-0 in front of a 26,000 strong crowd in Leicester.
England set the tone for a possession-based approach with the ball controlled along the backline, notably going back and forth between Leah Williamson and Alex Greenwood.
With the ball not leaving England’s half for the opening ten minutes, a goal felt imminent – however a frustrating number of uncapitalised chances began to grow. Ella Toone put England’s growing frustrations to bed when a rebound off Georgia Stanway saw the ball land in an open pocket of space. Toone’s powerful shot from outside the box found net, and opened the scoring.
The ball remained locked in England’s half with Chantelle Swaby being the Reggae girl to initiate Jamaica’s admirable threat in the first half, by intercepting England’s efforts in the attacking midfield. Shortly after, Kalyssa Van Zanten asserted her dominance and broke England’s backline lock with a powerful stride up the midfield.
A goal did come for Reggae Girlz, however it was ruled out for offside. The goal seemed to wake England’s defenders up – and they did not falter again throughout the 90 minutes.
Lucy Bronze was the Lioness to counter the Reggae girl’s first half warnings. The defender’s prompt high press into the right-hand side of the box allowed her to receive a clean ariel cross from Carter positioned at the diagonal opposing corner as she made it 2-0.
Toone’s brace rounded off the Lionesses scoring for the first half. Toone was in the perfect position to exploit the space to her right – she got her second and England’s third off the crossbar.
England opened the second half in a similar fashion, with possession concentrated at the back line and the tempo slowed in comparison. As the half-progressed fluidity in transitions increased among both sides. England’s strong presence in the final third resulted in an ultimately dominant half.
Throughout the second half, the Lionesses’ high press never waned, and they forced Jamaica keeper Brooks into a spectacular double save or two. However, a newly-returned Georgia Stanway looked hungry for a goal, and she did not have to wait long as she was given the space to launch a rocket into the top right-hand corner.
England’s crowded final third proved profitable yet again when a collected cross from Lauren James met the head of Alessia Russo, positioned in a spacious pocket right on the goal line to make it 5-0.
Substitute Aggie Beever-Jones had a number of quick attempts and eventually shot home. A stride up the centre midfield concluded with sweeping forward slide took the score line to a hefty 6-0
Beth Mead’s last-minute effort provided the goal that ultimately saw the Lionesses off to the Euros. A dynamic press forward completed with a swift cross into the box.
TEAMS: ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Williamson, Hampton, Bronze, Walsh, Greenwood, Stanway, Mead, Toone, Hemp, Carter, Russo. Substitutes: Charles, James, Le Tissier, Moorhouse, Clinton, Morgan, Agyemang, Kelly, Beever-Jones, Park, Keating, Wubben-Moy.
By Catherine MacKenzie and Alyce Collett(29/6/2025)
Above: the UEFA Women’s Euros trophy. Photo: UEFA.
Ahead of the UEFA Women’s Euros kicking off this week, the 16 countries involved have been using friendlies to assess where they are heading into the competition. Looking at the likely title contenders, what have we learned from the games?
France
France 3 – 2 Brazil
France 5 – 0 Belgium
Above: France starting 11 against Brazil. Photo: equipedefranceF on X.
One of the biggest talking points surrounding France in the lead up to this tournament has been the absence of some key stars from their squad. One of those is Eugenie Le Sommer, who has been a stalwart in attack for the French for a number of tournaments.
However, their two friendlies have shown that scoring will not be an issue for the French. Not only did they score plenty of goals, they had five different goal scorers scoring the eight goals – alongside a number of different assist-providers amidst strong rotation.
The friendlies also exposed their depth up front: if an opponent can deal with the physicality of Kelly Gago, there are different profiles of forwards ready to come on – such as Sakina Karchaoui or Kadidiatou Diani.
France are on a good run of form, however they have only played one top-10 ranked team since last December’s 4-2 loss to Spain. They swept aside Belgium with ease; their biggest test ahead of the tournament came against Brazil. Les Blues were 2-0 down within 20 minutes, however clawed back the game thanks to the second half introductions of Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Melvine Malard.
The comeback showed their belief in the team, however it is also telling that they needed their more experienced players to generate the impetus for the comeback. They also looked susceptible to defensive struggles with pace – and conceding two in quick succession will be a cause for concern.
Spain
Spain 3 – 1 Japan
Above: Spain starting 11 against Japan. Photo: SEFutbolFem on X.
Spain opted for a single send-off game, against reigning She Believes champions Japan. Japan beat the USA earlier this year and have confirmed their status as a force not to be underestimated. With key players missing on both sides – Yui Hasegawa for Japan and Aitana Bonmati for Spain – it became a battle based on how their sides coped without them.
Spain’s comeback and eventual win showed their greatest strength: they do not need consecutive Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati to dominate and beat a top-level opponent. Whereas she would be the ultimate difference maker in most teams, for La Roja she is the best of the best.
This should serve as a warning to Euros competitors: if Bonmati takes time to recover from the viral meningitis that has left her hospitalised, Spain are still huge favourites for every game they play.
Netherlands
Netherlands 2 – 1 Finland
Above: Netherlands starting 11 against Finland. Photo: OranjeVrouwen on X.
For the Netherlands, this was an important game with many different narratives behind it. It would be head coach Andries Jonker’s last game on home soil, and Vivianne Miedema was making a welcome return from injury.
It was a game of two halves for Oranje. Miedema’s minutes were managed, and once she left the pitch in the second half the Leeuwinnen did not have the same spark. In a rather scathing post-match interview, Jonker was asked why he opted not to bring on PSG’s Romée Leuchter – a more similar profile to Miedema than Chasity Grant – and the Oranje boss replied that she is “hopeless” as a striker.
Pundits and fans were shocked – and it is likely not an entirely happy camp heading for Switzerland.
The game showed that similarly to France, the Dutch struggled to maintain the same togetherness without one of their biggest stars on the pitch – and as Miedema is only just returning from injury, she is unlikely to play 90 minutes of every Euros game.
England
England 7 – 0 Jamaica
Above: The Lionesses starting 11 against Jamaica. Photo: @Lionesses on X.
England opted for an unfamiliar opponent for their send-off friendly, seeing them take on the Reggae Girlz in Leicester. The biggest learning from the game is arguably that when their first 11 is fit and on the pitch together, the Lionesses pose a huge goalscoring threat.
That the goals came from six different players is a testament to that threat. Jamaica are ranked 40th in the world and England’s dominance was not surprising. Some have criticised the England camp for their choice of opponent, considering Spain and France’s choices. However, that ignores the fact that in the last twelve months, few teams in Europe have had the tests that England have – Sweden, France, Spain, Portugal and Belgium all twice, alongside the US and Germany once each.
The game also highlighted the competition in numerous parts of the pitch – Ella Toone played in the 10 role and scored a brace, and she is in competition with Grace Clinton, Jess Park, and Lauren James for that spot. Jess Carter had an impressive game at left-back; she is in competition with Niamh Charles for that spot. The game may have given head coach Sarina Wiegman a few headaches – headaches she will be pleased to have.
Germany
Germany have not opted to have public friendlies – it is likely they have been played behind closed doors against other in-house teams. This could be a positive or a negative – whilst it gives head coaches the change to test out their tactics and start building momentum without the prying eyes of opponents, players will have missed getting a big send off. Showing off what your squad can do ahead of a major tournament can be hugely encouraging for the team, and it gives them a chance to connect with fans before departing.
However, given their form – beating Austria 6-0 and Netherlands 4-0 in their last two outings – it is unlikely to impact them too significantly.
Above: The England team that lined up in their Euros send off game. Photo: Lionesses on Twitter.
The Lionesses have already etched their names into the history books. A phenomenal run in UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 fuelled by grit and determination led them to a first-placed finish, and their run in the competition was nothing short of remarkable.
This year, with a fresh squad, a champion’s status to defend and a legacy to continue, England are likely to be a powerhouse of this year’s tournament.
Above: Head coach Sarina Wiegman. Photo: Lionesses on instagram.
Head Coach:
Manager Sarina Wiegman is no stranger to success. Leading England to their victory in a home Euros in 2022, she continues to lead the team three years on. She’ll have her sights set on the title, as reaching the final this year would be her fifth consecutive appearance in a major tournament’s final stage.
Euros History:
After a string of not qualifying three Euros running from 1987 to 1991, the nation’s luck in the competition wasn’t as successful as many would hope them to be.
The team reached the semi-final stage in 2017, and they came even closer twice in their history, being runners up in the tournament in 1984 and 2009. Triumph finally came in 2022, securing gold with goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly, achieving a 2-1 victory over Germany at Wembley Stadium.
Qualification:
England’s qualification for the tournament wasn’t quite as straight forward as they would’ve hoped. With two draws against Sweden to start and end their qualification, two wins against the Republic of Ireland, plus a win away in France but a loss to the side on home turf, it’s agreeable that the team perhaps could’ve found another win somewhere.
Nevertheless, they qualified, and we’ll be seeing the team in Switzerland take on France again in the group stages.
Strengths:
One of England’s main strengths has to be the experience and ability of the squad to cope with high-pressure fixtures. They have the ability to rise to the occasion and find a brilliant form when it matters, but a lot of this will rely on the players staying fit throughout the month of the tournament, especially Chelsea’s Lauren James.
Development Areas:
With their huge successes in recent years, there comes a lot of criticism when the team doesn’t perform to the best of their ability. In order to fight their way out of group D, England will need to find a cohesive form in order to not buckle under the pressure.
After big, experienced names such as Millie Bright and Fran Kirby dropped from the squad, it’s crucial the team balance their youth talent and experience to find a new level point that works. This is especially key for the defensive players, as that area is where the team often slip.
Key players:
Above: Alessia Russo Photo: Lionesses on Instagram.
Alessia Russo:
Russo is far more than your average striker. The 26-year-old flourishes in the nine role, but also excels in her off the ball movement and work rate. Her versatility allows her to transition between different roles with ease, adding an element of unpredictability for opponents who come face to face with the forward.
Above: Keira Walsh. Photo: Lionesses on Instagram.
Keira Walsh:
A unique talent, there’s not many better options for a playmaker than Walsh. Her ability to dictate the pace of the game whilst being a composed, technically intelligent defensive midfielder makes her instrumental in England’s set up.
Above: England captain Leah Williamson. Photo: Lionesses on Instagram.
Leah Williamson:
Leading by example from the back, captain Williamson is a strong, versatile presence on the pitch. As well as her ability to lead the backline and operate as an excellent centre-back, Williamson has been called to step into the midfield on many occasions, performing each time with her eye for a long pass and composure on the ball.
One to watch:
Being labelled as the one to watch falls to Michelle Agyemang, the youngest of the team at just 19-years-old. The Arsenal forward has risen through the youth ranks and secured a spot in the squad for Switzerland where she’ll be hoping to have a good run in her breakout tournament.
If Agyemang sees game time, she could be a weapon for England. A present and clever goal-scorer, the rising star netted her first goal in style, a clever volley just 41 seconds into her Senior team debut against Belgium.
Success would be:
With such a high expectation carrying across from the monumental success of the 2022 Euros on home soil, there’s a lot of pressure for England to claim the top spot again.
Even with a difficult group to conquer, it’s likely we’ll see England in the knockouts. Realistically, it would be good to see them at least make an appearance in the final, but to get there they will have to be ruthless.
Prediction:
I predict England will make it to the semi-finals. They may go further to reach the final, however if we see that Spain-England match up again, I think the Lionesses will be the ones to fall short.
With such a talented roster of players, if things work smoothly, they could be one of the biggest threats of the competition.
Group Fixtures:
5th July- France, Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, 8pm UK time
9th July- Netherlands, Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, 5pm UK time
13th July- Wales, Arena St.Gallen, St.Gallen, 8pm UK time
This is the latest part of our Euros nation previews – click on the links below to view the previous articles:
by Kelechi Osunwa at HBF Park for Impetus (29/6/25)
Above: Winonah Heatley, who was outstanding for Australia, wins a tussle tonight in Perth. Photo: Cat Bryant for Impetus.
On a balmy winter night at Perth’s HBF Park, Australia and Slovenia played out an enthralling 1-1 draw in match two of their two-match series.
Australia took the lead early in the second half with a volley from Michelle Heyman to claim the rewards for a dominant first half. Slovenia remained resolute, stayed in the fixture and capitalised on a chaotic final 10 minutes to grab a late equaliser when Mirjam Kastelec reacted quickest to power home.
The result is likely to please both coaches, with Matildas boss Joe Montemurro happy with his team’s defensive connectivity and attacking patience, while his Slovenian counterpart praised their persistence in claiming a draw against a side he described as one of the best in the world.
With both sides ringing in the changes, and having that added level of familiarity, the early moments of the encounter were far less frantic than Thursdays, when Australia took the lead inside three minutes.
The inclusion of Winonah Heatley, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Michelle Heyman, and the repositioning of Amy Sayer into a more central ‘number 10’ position gave the Matildas an ideal balance of composure and solidity.
Above: Michelle Heyman breaks through for Australia tonight. Photo: Cat Bryant for Impetus.
In Cooney-Cross and Sayer, Australia were able to dictate play from a central position, and the two were crucial to early attacking forays.
Sayer combined with Alanna Kennedy to slip in the overlapping Ellie Carpenter to fire a dangerous cross that was foiled by a desperate Lana Golob.
The Matildas continued to attack on their right-hand side with Carpenter a willing runner, much to the dismay of her counterpart Kaja Erzen, who had the unenviable task of tracking the fullback. Sayer and Carpenter combined again with Remy Simesen to send a low cross into Heyman, who fired wildly into the night sky.
Sayer seemed the have the freedom of HBF Park and began to conduct attack after attack. She broke into the box to collect a clever pass from Heyman, her low cross looked to find Kaitlyn Torpey, but a quick-thinking Sara Gradišek did enough to deflect the opportunity wide.
The Matildas’ press and high line was relentless, with Slovenia unable to beat it and often resorted to wild clearances to relieve some pressure. Where Slovenia had lived on misplaced passes and transitional attacks on Thursday, there were no opportunities to sustain the visitors in the first 30 minutes.
Australia could smell blood and almost took the lead when Cooney-Cross wriggled past two players to find Heyman. The striker drove towards the penalty area with options to her left and right. As the defence backtracked, she unleashed a powerful effort that narrowly flew wide.
Above: The Matildas celebrate after Michelle Heyman (second left) put them ahead tonight. Photo: Cat Bryant for Impetus.
Slovenia did well to quell the home side’s momentum and settle more into the match by forcing the Matildas to turn around, and Mateja Zver was tasked with sticking close to Sayer as halftime gave them reprieve.
Australia took the lead five minutes after the restart when Heyman volleyed home from a Carpenter cross. The Matildas won the ball in the attacking third, where Kennedy and Siemsen combined to find the overlapping Carpenter, who found Heyman. Her movement was subtle but effective enough for her to find a half-yard of space to finish unerringly.
The old adage of being most vulnerable after you score proved to be correct as the goal sprung Slovenia into an attacking flurry that needed a previously very quiet Mackenzie Arnold to spring into action on two occasions.
The most important of which was three minutes after the goal when substitute Lara Janež’s outstretched pass sprung Zver with only Arnold to beat. The Slovenian captain struck an effort with power and direction, but straight at Arnold, who was able to absorb the danger.
The match became stretched as Slovenia pushed for an equaliser, Prašnikar and Čonč grew in influence for the visitors, but their attacking forays left them vulnerable on the counter attack which Carpenter looked to single handedly exploit on several occasions with dangerous runs into and crosses into the penalty area that unfortunate to not find a teammate.
Above: Ellie Carpenter runs down the flank tonight. Photo: Cat Bryant for Impetus.
Despite only having a handful of sessions with the side, glimmers of Montemurro’s philosophy were on display. This was most evident when Heatley, Cross, Sayer, and Holly McNamara combined for Sayer to volley high and wide. The move incorporated composed playing out the back, direct dribbling, and vertical combination play; all elements that Montemurro will hope to see his team hone to a greater extent as they have more time together.
With the game in its dying embers, Slovenia made a raft of changes, and they threw caution to the wind.
Janež headed over the bar after a terrific Špela Kolbl cross to give the visitors some life. The Matildas failed to heed that warning and gave Slovenia encouragement when an errant pass from Courtney Navin caused chaos in their box that needed a clever save from Arnold before a well-timed block by Heatley to divert the danger.
Despite the warnings, the Matildas were punished minutes later when Slovenia claimed a much-deserved equaliser. Prašnikar did well to hold of her marker before finding the run of Janez, the midfielder found fellow substitute Naja Pope Mihelič who cut inside from the left and drove a low effort that cannoned off the post only for Mirjam Kastelec to burst past three defender to slam home and send the visiting dugout into a frenzy.
For Montemurro and the Matildas, the result would feel more fitting if it had come after Thursday’s more even encounter, but the controlled nature of the performance will leave them feeling like they are moving more and more in the right direction with a process they can trust.
Check out our Instagram page @ImpetusFootball for two galleries worth of Cat Bryant’s exclusive photography from the game.
Above:Jess Flannery (pink shirt), who scored twice and provided an assist for Perth SC, bursts between the Perth RedStar defence yesterday. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Midweek Catch-up games
Wednesday night saw two games postponed from Round Five take place. First, Fremantle City continued their good recent form with a 3-0 win over Murdoch University Melville. Abbey Green’s rich vein of scoring this month continued when she put Freo ahead after 70 minutes. Sophie Meaden doubled their lead with seven minutes remaining before Mikayla Lyons completed the scoring in stoppage time.
Balcatta Etna extended their NPLW WA winning run to six after dispatching Subiaco 5-1 at Home Group Stadium. Abbey Meakins put the home side ahead with 19 minutes played. Less than two minutes into the second half, Jamie-Lee Gale made it 2-0. So-yi Kim gave Subi real hope just after the hour mark when she tapped home from close range to reduce the deficit. However, Balcatta’s response was rapid, hitting three goals in a nine-minute spell. Ella Marwick restored the two-goal buffer before Meakins dispatched a penalty, and Gale put the icing on the cake with a superb solo run with 12 minutes remaining.
Round 13 action
Football West Academy 12-2 UWA-Nedlands
Above: Football West Academy’s Xuri Dalton, who scored four goals in her side’s big win over UWA-Nedlands. Photo: Football West.
The Football West Academy produced a dominant performanceto comfortably see off UWA-Nedlands in the round’s first game on Wednesday night.
They hit the front after four minutes when a low cross from the right found Sam Brady, who turned the ball in from close range.
However, the lead lasted for less than a minute as Chloe Rodrigo levelled, but the teenage side regained their lead on 10 minutes as Theodora Mouithys’ low shot from the edge of the box rolled into the net.
There then followed a game-breaking spell of five goals in just nine minutes, with Xuri Dalton claiming a hat-trick in the spell.
First, Dalton was released by a superb passing move that carved the UWA-Nedlands midfield and defence wide open before she rounded another defender and slid the ball home. She then side-footed home from the centre of the box when another sweeping move played her in with a low cross from the right from Cate McAuliffe.
McAuliffe made it 5-1 when she was in the right place at the right time to turn the ball home after an initial shot from the right was parried by UWA-Nedlands keeper Madison Large. She was at it again on the half-hour mark when found in acres of space from the left to sweep the ball into the net.
Above: Cate McAuliffe, who hit a hat-trick for Football West Academy in their win on Wednesday night. Photo: U18s NPL.
Dalton completed her hat-trick two minutes later as Moutithys charged up the left flank and squared the ball into the box for Dalton to dispatch with aplomb in the centre of the box for 7-1 at the interval.
The Academy then hit a four-goal haul in just 14 minutes in the second half. It began just before the hour mark when Nelli Johnson got up highest to nod home a corner from the left.
Sakura Leong got in on the action after being released with a perfectly weighted pass that dissected the visitors’ defence for her to run into and slot home. Two minutes later, McAuliffe grabbed her hat-trick goal when played in after Leong’s burst along the left found her on the edge of the box to fire in a powerful shot that Large could only help into the net for 10-1.
Leong extended the lead yet further with 21 minutes remaining as she once more accelerated along the left and then cut inside, and held off a defender and the on-rushing Large to dispatch the ball in.
Dalton got her fourth of the evening on 78 in superb style when she held off two defenders on the edge of the box with her back to goal, turned and fired home a stunning shot.
Alice Muller got UWA-Nedlands’ second with three minutes remaining, but it was very little comfort for the visitors, who have now conceded 33 goals in their last three games.
Above: Sam Mathers (second left) and Jess Flannery (right), who contributed three goals and an assist between them, celebrate with Violet Longmore (far left) and Hannah Collins. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Perth’s sizzling first-half performance ensured they clinched a hugely important win over defending champions Perth RedStar at Dorrien Gardens yesterday afternoon.
This encounter between two of the NPLW WA’s most successful sides in recent seasons took place around the home side’s annual Pink Day festivities to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Care WA.
The action exploded into action from the very beginning as RedStar broke through, with Quyen Doan seeing a shot coming back off the post after just 10 seconds.
The defending champions were continuing on the front foot in the earliest of exchanges and, with five minutes played, took the lead. Caitlin Doeglas’ corner came in high from the left, the initial Azzurri clearing header fell for Sarah Carroll on the edge of the box to crash home a volley in some style from a central position.
However, Perth responded with some major offensive power of their own as they hit three goals in a stunning six-minute spell.
Above: Daisy McAllister (pink shirt facing camera) celebrates one of her two goals yesterday. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Indeed, less than a minute after Carroll’s goal, they were level. Tijan McKenna saw a long-range shot come back off the post, and with visiting keeper Gabby Dal Busco beaten, the rebound fell perfectly for Jess Flannery to side-foot home.
With eight minutes played, some exceptional vision and passing from Hannah Collins saw her thread a perfectly weighted ball through the RedStar box for Daisy McAllister on the left to hit a shot across Dal Busco and into the far corner of the net.
Three minutes later, Flannery played the perfect pass to McAllister, who had made a superb run to the left of the RedStar box, unmarked, to dispatch a low shot into the goal.
It got better still for the hosts with 25 on the clock. RedStar lost possession from a throw-in inside their own half, and Hannah Collins looked up on the right to see Flannery in a large amount of space on the left. Yet another perfectly judged pass found the striker in a position that she was never going to miss from, and Flannery punished the visiting defence to roll the ball home.
Above: Georgia Cassidy (pink shirt) holds off Sarah Carroll yesterday. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
In trying to stem the Perth tide, Carla Bennett was excellent for the visitors. The midfielder played some hugely intelligent balls through to her teammates, but RedStar were never able to benefit from Bennett’s vision as the Azzurri defence swept up comfortably.
There was one further half chance before the break when Epril Nossent’s cross from the right was pushed up by Dal Busco. McAllister, coming in at the back post, saw her effort go over the top.
The second half began with RedStar upping the ante, and shortly after Jay Coleman headed narrowly wide from a Sarah Carroll free-kick, they grabbed a lifeline when Leota laid the ball back to Bennett, who spotted Doeglas on her own, and fired across an excellent pass for the attacker to slot home.
Just after the hour mark, the visitors momentarily thought they had reduced the deficit further when Carroll played Doeglas through to sweep the ball into the net, but the assistant referee’s flag went up to rule it out for offside.
Above: Sam Mathers (pink shirt, left) taps home Perth SC’s fifth goal yesterday. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Buoyed by this decision, the Azzurri pushed forward again. McAllister was fouled on the edge of the box to the left of centre. Up stepped Kim McCartney to lift the free-kick in, Dal Busco spilled the ball at the feet of Mathers to tap home from close range and restore Perth’s three-goal advantage.
The remaining 20 minutes or so of the game were largely broken up with a succession of yellow cards, but the visitors did force two further opportunities.
First, Leota fed Doeglas, who saw a shot come crashing back off the bar, and then in stoppage time, Ridley was denied first by an excellent stop by Dayle Schroeder, and from the rebound Ridley saw an effort cleared off the line by Georgia Cassidy before referee David Avison pointed to the spot for a foul on Laura Continibali. Carroll dispatched the penalty.
This was an extremely impressive performance and victory by the Azzurri against the side that were top of the ladder going into the game. Perth SC now travel to the Sam Kerr Football Centre next weekend to face the Football West Academy in an intriguing first against second clash.
Balcatta won their seventh league game in a row, but they were pushed by a hard-working Subiaco side at Home Group Stadium this afternoon.
The hosts hit the front with 18 minutes on the clock thanks to an Olimpico from the left-hand side by Abbey Meakins – her eighth goal this month alone.
Balcatta doubled their lead in the 68th minute with a move that began with goalkeeper Rebecca Bennett’s clearance from a Subi corner. Jamie-Lee Gale combined with Meakins before Frankie Murray’s cross from the left was met with a sliding volley at the near post by Gale, who collided with keeper Monique Todd as she did so. After a short consultation between referee and assistant, the goal was awarded.
Subi pushed to get back into the game, and after Greta Bailey’s burst through was ended by the Balcatta defence, Izzy Folletta was shown a second yellow card for what appeared to be dissent.
The visitors got a goal back three minutes before the end when Marianna Tabain released Tayna Campos, who swept home a first-time low shot.
Balcatta will now go into next Sunday’s trip to Perth RedStar with real confidence. In a rich vein of form, they will be determined to put right the 5-0 scoreline from their previous encounter with the defending champions this season.
Fremantle City extended their winning run to three league and cup games after this success over Murdoch University Melville (MUM FC) at Hilton Park today.
Freo took the lead eight minutes before the break in some style as an eight-pass move that swept from defence to offence ended with Sophie Meaden finding Abbey Green in the box for the former Perth Glory player to find the net from close range.
The same pair were at it again just before the hour mark as Green darted between two players to advance deep into the MUM FC half and find Meaden, whose shot was repelled by Jemma Skinner, and Green was on the rebound to turn it in for her and Freo’s second.
The home side wrapped up the points with a spell of three goals in seven minutes either side of the 80-minute mark. Meaden made it 3-0 when she was played through by an incisive pass from Janice Kiama to run in unopposed and dispatch the ball into the net.
Nine minutes from the end, Green found Leyna Wood, who threaded a sensational long low pass which completely took the visiting defence out of the equation, allowing Meaden to hit her second.
Green completed her hat-trick shortly afterwards as Meaden threaded a pass through to her to run onto and beat Skinner in the one-on-one to turn the ball home.
Euro 2025 is nearly here, but do you know the history?
UEFA organised their first Women’s Euros in 1984 (the men’s began in 1960). Before that, other tournaments paved the way. Let’s start in 1957.
Women’s football was growing as European countries began playing more international friendlies. In 1956, 18,000 people came out to watch Germany’s first international against the Netherlands – despite the women’s game still being officially banned throughout much of Europe, including both Germany and the Netherlands, England and France.
Players fought the ban with increasing strength. In the summer of 1957, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, and England formed the International Ladies Football Association in Nuremberg, Germany. They quickly organised their own European tournament with the four founding members.
Berlin hosted the event at the Poststadion, a prestigious venue. Naturally there was plenty of opposition, but also some good support. Often at that time, “national” teams were represented by club sides. England, for example, were represented by the Manchester Corinthians. The Corinthians were at the end of a tour of Germany, which they ended by winning the 1957 trophy. Unfortunately, some financial irregularities spoiled the event and it was over a decade before a similar tournament was organised.
For a period in the late 1960s/early 1970s, women’s football was organised by some Italian businessmen — who had spotted the potential of the sport. In 1969, the newly formed Federazione Italiana Calcio Femminile (FICF) organsied another European competition. The Coppa Europa per Nazioni — now considered a precursor to the UEFA Euros — included Italy, France, Denmark, and England. It was sponsored by the drinks giant Martini & Rossi who bankrolled the event. FIFA tried to stop it going ahead but were unsuccessful.
Although the ban in England was being lifted, England didn’t yet have an official FA team. So, the legendary Harry Batt took a team to represent his country. England were drawn against Denmark (represented by club side Femina BK). Despite a hat trick from Sue Lopez, Denmark won and progressed to the final. Italy beat France but Denmark took the title. England took third, beating France in front of 10,000 spectators. The event was a huge success on and off the pitch.
The Italians organised two World Cup events too (one being the Mexico 1971 World Cup), but in 1971 UEFA couldn’t ignore the growth of women’s football any longer. They decided to take control, making it “official”. They set up a committee for women’s football and then stalled the development of a Women’s Euros tournament for over a decade.
In 1984, UEFA finally caved to pressure and put its name to the Women’s Euros for the first time. Sixteen teams played in the qualifiers with only four making it to the tournament proper: Sweden, Italy, Denmark, and England. Games were 70-minutes long, used a size four ball, and consisted of home and away legs for both semi-finals and the final. England drew the favourites, Denmark, but beat them to reach the final against Sweden.
The first leg in Sweden was covered by the media and brought in a decent crowd. Sweden edged it 1-0. The return leg in England was played at Kenilworth Road, Luton on a pitch described by their captain, Carol Thomas, as “the battle of Kenilworth bog”. The only media at the match was a very small TV company that disappeared soon after. England squeaked a 1-0 win, making it 1-1 on aggregate. Because the pitch was so bad, the tie went straight to penalties. Sweden edged it 4-3, with current Switzerland head coach Pia Sundhage scoring the winner.
The format remained the same for the 1987 Euros where the four qualifiers were Norway, Sweden, Italy, and England. Norway won their first trophy, beating Sweden in the final; Italy beat England to third place. In a strange contrast, over 8000 people watched the final but only 500 watched the third-place play-off.
At this point, the Women’s Euros was the only major event so enjoyed a two-year cycle. The next edition was 1989 but still only included four teams. However, there was a host country for the first time: West Germany. Norway, Sweden, and Italy joined them and it soon became clear they didn’t need home advantage. West Germany won the first of Germany’s eight Women’s Euros titles by beating the holders, Norway, 4-1 in front of 22,000 people.
The four-team tournament continued into the 1990s. Denmark hosted in 1991 and once again, Germany beat Norway in the final, winning their second title. But the Germans didn’t fare so well in 1993 when they came fourth behind winners Norway (their second title), Italy, and Denmark.
It had been eight years since England last qualified for the Euros but they were back in 1995 joined by Germany, Norway, and Sweden. The qualifying rounds before the main event had expanded to 29 teams, meaning there were now eight qualifying groups; but still only four countries competed for the trophy. England drew Germany in the semi-finals and were soundly beaten over two legs. Germany and Sweden contested the final (played in Germany) and Germany lifted their third trophy in front of 8,500 people.
In 1997, the Women’s Euros format changed to resemble what we recognise now. Norway and Sweden hosted the tournament over two weeks in the summer. The competition expanded to eight final teams in two groups of four. Sweden, Spain (their first appearance), Italy and Germany reached the knockout stages. And yes, Germany won number four, beating Italy in the final.
The next advancement was settling into a four-yearly schedule (the FIFA Women’s World Cup began in 1991 making scheduling harder). In 2001, eight teams competed in the main tournament in Germany. Unsurprisingly, Germany won again, making it their fifth. England only managed a point from a draw with Russia.
Above: Germany celebrate in 2005. Photo: UEFA website.
In 2005, England hosted the Euros and had high hopes for the tournament. It was the first time they’d hosted a major women’s competition and was part of The FA’s strategy to (finally) grow the game. It attracted record crowds. Despite a heart-stopping win against Finland in their opener, England finished bottom of their group. Finland, along with Germany, Sweden, and Norway progressed. The final was again Germany versus Norway; and again Germany finished as champions (their fourth in a row, sixth in total).
Disappointment at home for the Lionesses turned into progress in 2009. Hosted by Finland, the event saw 12 teams take part for the first time. Finland, Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy, and England progressed to the quarter-finals. Germany and Norway continued their rivalry, this time meeting in the semi-final. England needed an extra time winner from Jill Scott to overcome Netherlands in their semi-final, lining up a tasty final against Germany. Disappointingly, England couldn’t keep up with the perennial winners and lost 6-2.
Sweden hosted in 2013, and the familiar pattern continued with Germany beating Norway in the final; their eighth title. However, this is where Germany’s run came to an end. In 2017, Netherlands hosted their first Euros. Sixteen teams took part for the first time. Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Austria, France, England and Spain reached the knockout stages with some familiar names beginning to appear on teamsheets.
Above: The Netherlands celebrate in 2017. Photo: UEFA website.
In the semi-finals, Netherlands played England and Denmark played Austria. You read that right: Germany had been knocked in the quarters (by Denmark). Things were changing in European football. A Sarina Wiegman-led Netherlands made short work of England in a 3-0 win. Meanwhile Denmark needed penalties to beat newcomers Austria. Finishing the fairytale, Netherlands beat Denmark to win their first Euros trophy at their home event. The English Lionesses’ Jodie Taylor was top-scorer (one ahead of Vivianne Miedema).
And the rest, as they say, is history. Wiegman moved to England, repeated the whole thing in 2022 and will now be hoping she can continue her unbeaten Euros streak this summer.
Above: England celebrate in 2022. Photo: Sky News website.
