As the UEFA Women`s Euro 2025 tournament in Switzerland approaches, predictions from experts are starting to solidify, though opinions vary across the board. Our editorial team and Attacking Third analysts have weighed in with their projections for team results and individual honors.
One point of strong agreement among the experts is the presence of a clear leading group. Reigning champions England, 2023 FIFA Women`s World Cup winners Spain, and 2024 Olympic bronze medalists Germany are widely considered the top contenders in almost every category. Recent team performance, significant player retirements, and ongoing injuries all influence how teams are expected to perform. This mix of factors contributes to the inherent unpredictability, reminding us that in tournament football, chaos is often the only certainty.
Expert Picks Summary
| Lisa Carlin | Sandra Herrera | Christine Cupo | Jen Beattie | McCall Zerboni | Jessica McDonald | Pardeep Cattry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Germany | Germany | Spain | Spain | England | England | Spain |
| Runner-up | France | Spain | Germany | Germany | Sweden | Spain | Germany |
| Third place | Spain | England | England | England | Spain | Germany | England |
| Golden Boot | Lea Schuller (Germany) | Lea Schuller (Germany) | Lea Schuller (Germany) | Claudia Pina (Spain) | Alessia Russo (England) | Alessia Russo (England) | Lea Schuller (Germany) |
| Player of Tournament | Lea Schuller (Germany) | Klara Buhl (Germany) | Aitana Bonmati (Spain) | Klara Buhl (Germany) | Alexia Putellas (Spain) | Kadidiatou Diani (France) | Aitana Bonmati (Spain) |
| Breakout player | Claudia Pina (Spain) | Claudia Pina (Spain) | Aggie Beaver Jones (England) | Salm Paralluelo (Spain) | Vicky Lopez (Spain) | Sydney Schertenleib (Switzerland) | Claudia Pina (Spain) |
| Golden Glove | Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany) | Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany) | Cata Coll (Spain) | Hannah Hampton (England) | Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany) | Ann-Katrin Bergen (Germany) | Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany) |
Winner: Spain
Having secured the Women`s World Cup title two years ago, Spain has solidified its position as a formidable force in women`s football and enters the Euros with the potential to establish a lasting dynasty. They are not just a team to observe, but the one to overcome. Their roster for the competition is once again strong, featuring a blend of in-form World Cup winners like Esther Gonzalez and promising newcomers such as Claudia Pina, led by Aitana Bonmati. While Bonmati`s recent recovery from meningitis might initially limit her playing time, coach Montse Tome possesses ample depth to cover this gap temporarily. It is difficult to look past Spain as a favorite to lift the trophy.
Second place: Germany
Germany has effectively recovered from their disappointing group stage exit at the 2023 World Cup and appears well-positioned to continue their resurgence with a strong performance at this summer`s Euros. Christian Wuck, despite limited prior experience in women`s football, capably stepped into the head coach role, initially on a temporary basis, and earned a longer tenure following their bronze medal finish at last year`s Olympics. He benefits from coaching a talented group of players. Lea Schuller, who had another impressive season with Bayern Munich, is expected to contend for the tournament`s top scorer award, while Ann-Katrin Berger`s excellent form in the NWSL has cemented her place as the national team`s starting goalkeeper.
Third place: England
As the reigning champions, England will undoubtedly be a significant contender. However, winning the Euros is challenging, and successfully defending the title is even more so. Placed in what is widely considered the `Group of Death` alongside France, Netherlands, and Wales, the Lionesses face several demanding early matches which could impact their energy levels later in the tournament. The squad retains many players from their 2022 championship triumph, providing valuable experience for a long campaign, but the level of competition this year is exceptionally high.
Golden boot: Lea Schuller, Germany
German forward Lea Schuller is a leading candidate for the 2025 Euro Golden Boot, known for her precise finishing and aerial prowess. Germany`s group draw is favorable, featuring teams like Poland and Denmark that have shown defensive vulnerabilities. This offers Schuller an excellent opportunity to accumulate goals early, potentially building a lead over competitors like England`s Alessia Russo or France`s Marie Antoinette Katoto, who are in a much tougher Group D. Schuller is well-placed to challenge for the top scorer honors.
Player of the tournament: Aitana Bonmati
Although meningitis may have sidelined her briefly, Aitana Bonmati has returned to training and is poised to reaffirm her status as one of the world`s best midfielders upon taking the field for Spain. The Ballon d`Or recipient is the critical element of Spain`s strategy, possessing an unparalleled midfield ability that is expected to create numerous scoring chances for Spain`s abundant attacking options. With her on the pitch, Spain remains a strong favorite to win the entire tournament.
Breakout player: Claudia Pina
The forward is expected to move beyond an impact substitute role. With questions surrounding Bonmati`s health and potential availability in the group stage due to meningitis, the coaching staff may need to adjust the ideal starting lineup. The 23-year-old was the leading scorer in the 2024-25 Champions League with 10 goals, and the sting of Barcelona`s runner-up finish will likely fuel her motivation for the Euros.
Golden glove: Ann-Katrin Berger
One of the few NWSL players participating in the Euros, the 34-year-old goalkeeper has successfully used her transfer to NJ/NY Gotham FC to become Germany`s primary shot-stopper, consistently impressing for both her club and national team since her 2024 move. She played a crucial role in Germany`s Olympic bronze medal win and earned the NWSL`s goalkeeper of the year award, positioning her as one of the most in-form goalkeepers heading into the Euros. Berger is a goalkeeper who genuinely impacts the game, not only defensively but also offensively when necessary – she famously scored a penalty in Germany`s quarterfinal victory over Canada at the Olympics last year, adding another dimension to her already impressive capabilities.
