The Euro 2025 tournament has progressed to the semi-finals, creating a thrilling Final Four!
England triumphed in a lengthy penalty shootout against Sweden, resulting in a showdown with Italy, which defeated Norway. Meanwhile, world champions Spain eliminated host nation Switzerland to set up a clash with Germany.
Emily Keeg, Tom Hamilton, Beth Lindop, Julian Lawrence, and Sam Marsden have been reporting live during this summer’s tournament, providing ratings and insights on the matches thus far.
Highlights from the Quarterfinals
Keogh: One outstanding moment was Ann-Katrin Berger’s incredible save, fully extending herself to deny a goal from Janina Minge during extra time. This amazing intervention prevented Germany from facing an early exit against France. Berger, who has overcome cancer, has been a remarkable presence on the national team, saving nine shots and leading Germany through penalties to reach the semi-finals. She continues to embody resilience and deserves high praise for her contributions.
Hamilton: I completely agree; Berger’s performance was nothing short of stellar. If you’re searching for heroes in this tournament, England’s Lucy Bronze also stands out. In her seventh major tournament, she played a crucial role in bringing England back from a two-goal deficit against Sweden—she scored her first goal, followed swiftly by Michelle Aggieman’s equalizer. Her leadership during extra time was pivotal, resulting in a memorable victory.
Lindop: The tightly contested nature of all the matches has been notable. Italy sealed its win over Norway with a goal in extra time, while Spain’s match against Switzerland was expected to be a straightforward win but was very closely fought. This illustrates how narrow the margins are at this high level of competition; nothing is guaranteed.
Lawrence: I don’t want to relive that French disaster against Germany! Instead, let’s highlight Bronze’s brave execution during the penalty shootout. Her clever anticipation of the Swedish goalkeeper’s movements showcased her mental strength, proving her value as a captain in crucial moments. She may have faced some injuries, but against Sweden, she demonstrated the leadership her team needed during a high-pressure game. Chloe Kelly continues to impress as a stellar substitute, contributing significantly when needed!
Marsden: Regarding host Switzerland, the atmosphere in Bern was electric, with over 20,000 fans dressed in red supporting their team against Spain. They journeyed across the river to Wankdorf Stadium, singing throughout the game, even after their heartbreaking exit. “They didn’t want to leave!” exclaimed coach Pier Sanderj, highlighting the crowd’s unwavering support and love for the game.
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Lawrence: France’s Euro 2025 exit is a “major failure”
Julien Lawrence weighs in on France’s elimination following a penalty shootout loss to Germany, missing out on a semi-final spot at Euro 2025.
England vs. Sweden delivered an unforgettable penalty shootout; why have so many penalties been missed in this tournament?
Keogh: Teams need to learn from their execution, but they must prepare more thoroughly. Swedish manager Peter Gelhardson admitted the unpredictability of knockout football caught his team off guard when they missed three penalties. This lack of preparation is a clear oversight, especially since Smiraholmberg, an 18-year-old, had the burden of taking the last kick and ultimately missing it.
Marsden: Emily’s right; it’s unacceptable that Sweden didn’t practice penalties adequately. Sure, some aspects of in-game pressure are unavoidable, but saying “it’s a lottery” doesn’t hold up. Out of 41 penalties taken in the tournament, only 24 were successful, yielding a conversion rate of just 58.5%. If we remove the England and Sweden matches, the rate improves to 70.4%, which is still below the expected success rate in major tournaments.
Lawrence: Sam, our statistics expert, noted a trend showing a lack of preparation among players. Many Swedish and English players shot their penalties immediately after the whistle, which often reduces their chances of scoring. Taking a moment to breathe and focus could significantly alter outcomes!
Lindop: All these missed penalties highlight the immense pressure present at this stage of the tournament. As Sweden learned, mistakes can be dire. For both teams, it serves as a stark reminder to keep a cool head when stakes are high, while also providing thrilling moments for fans, as demonstrated by the dramatic shootout between France and Germany.
Hamilton: Nerves certainly play a role. I echo the sentiment regarding Sweden’s inadequate penalty practice, but the quality of penalty shootouts can vary widely. England vs. Sweden was intense, but there’s a mix of nerves, scrutiny, and excellent goalkeeping that complicates conversions.
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England players react after their dramatic penalty shootout victory
Alexa Russo, Lucy Bronze, Ella Toone, and Chloe Kelly share their thoughts after winning against Sweden in a tense penalty shootout.
What have your grievances been during this Euro tournament?
Hamilton: The ticket prices are alarming. Plus, matches starting at 9 PM are problematic, particularly if they proceed to extra time.
Lindop: I’ll be that typical Brit complaining about the heat! I’m not fond of hot weather and have found it challenging at times in Switzerland. Huge respect to the players for performing under such conditions, although I’ve had to pay nearly £7 for a bottle of water!
Keogh: I share concerns about expenses. A morning coffee cost me an eye-watering £6.28 on average! Though free public transportation around the match venues was a welcome benefit, Zurich’s high costs and limited media meal options were a strain on the wallet.
Marsden: Are we going to end this tournament too quickly? Considering the group stages of 24 teams, I’m left wanting more. I’d love to see more knockout action; teams like Portugal or Denmark could definitely add excitement.
Lawrence: I have no complaints! Everything has been enjoyable. The 9 PM kickoffs work well for major matches, and I prefer warm weather over dull, rainy days frequently seen in the UK. Plus, it’s delightful to enjoy the beauty of Zurich’s lakes. Sure, costs are high, but the quality of the coffee makes it all worthwhile! While I appreciate knockout football, I wonder if the current setup with 24 teams is appropriate.
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Keogh: Every team is beatable at Euro 2025
Emily Keogh discusses the teams competing for the semi-final spots at Euro 2025 after Spain’s 2-0 victory over Switzerland.
Final Predictions for the Tournament
Hamilton: This tournament has had its share of surprises, but I still envision a classic matchup. World champion Spain should face off against England, who overcame Italy in their semi-final.
Keogh: To shake things up, I’ll predict Italy vs. Germany. This would be an unforgettable showdown, and tournaments often have unexpected twists!
Lindop: I still foresee a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final: England vs. Spain. Both teams have shown their reliability and resilience in the quarterfinals.
Lawrence: I have doubts about England’s performance so far, though I don’t think Italy can outmatch them. Therefore, it’s likely that Spain will get a chance to defend their title. Despite their difficulties, Germany can’t quite match the strength of the world champions, making this rivalry the must-watch final we all wanted.
Marsden: Although Germany has shown promise, I still favor a final between Spain and England, as both teams have proved their potential all tournament long.
Fan Take: The drama and excitement of Euro 2025 showcase the fierce competition and unpredictability in women’s soccer, capturing the attention of global fans. As these thrilling matches unfold, they highlight the rising profile of the sport, motivating future generations to engage with soccer at an unprecedented level.
