UEFA Women’s EURO 2025: A guide to Group B – fixtures, team history and players to watch

Team Preview: Belgium

• FIFA World Ranking: 20
• Best EUROs finish: Quarter-finals (2022)
• Captain: Tessa Wullaert
• Head coach: Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir

All things considered, Belgium is very much a nation on the rise. The EUROs is the only major tournament they have previously qualified for to date, though even in that, their first appearance came in 2017. It marked a learning curve for the debutants, exiting in the group stages with one win and two defeats. In 2022, they were able to capitalise on an underwhelming showing from Italy, to join France in the knockout stages. They were narrowly beaten by Sweden 1-0 to miss out on a last-four spot, but it was yet another step in their gradual transformation. While they recorded an impressive win over England back in April, and one against Portugal in June, their form has been less than favourable since the turn of the new year. Five losses in seven games means a real upturn in results is needed if they are to go further into the knockouts.

Key player: Tessa Wullaert

There are few players more important to their nation than Tessa Wullaert is to Belgium. Not only is she their captain, but she is their all-time leading goalscorer, and second all-time appearance maker. She brings a wealth of experience to the side and long-standing leadership that will be crucial to their chances. There may be added incentive for the 32-year-old too, given it could be the last major tournament at which she represents her country.

• FIFA World Ranking: 13
• Best EUROs finish: Runners-up (1993, 1997)
• Captain: Elena Linari
• Head coach: Andrea Soncin

In the first few decades of the European Championships, Italy were very much in amongst the best sides. Between the inaugural edition in 1984 and 1997, they reached the semi-finals at the very least, barring an anomaly in ’95 where they failed to qualify. Their best finish came in ’93 and ’97, bested by Norway and Germany respectively. But since that last second-place run, they have gone no further than the quarter-finals. Back-to-back group-stage finishes in recent years have seen them underachieve as far as expectations go. Their form of late has been relatively mixed, and this is a group that will prove challenging for them, but with some of their crucial stars stepping up, who knows what could happen.

Key player: Cristiana Girelli

Cristiana Girelli may be 35, but the prolific striker shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, in the last season with Juventus, she scored 19 goals and assisted two in 24 league games alone. As things stand, she is Italy’s leading scorer of those still active, bagging 54 for the national team since debuting in 2011. Recent form suggests the Italians have not been a side lacking in goals – and Girelli’s involvement is a result of that. Her experience and guidance up top will also be important for her fellow forwards.

• FIFA World Ranking: 22
• Best EUROs finish: Group Stage (2017, 2022)
• Captain: Dolores Silva
• Head coach: Francisco Neto

Portugal are not necessarily a team renowned for their presence at the European Championships. They have only appeared twice before, both failing to make it out of the group stages. In 2022, they had initially failed to qualify before being declared as a replacement side. In neither of the editions they’ve appeared have they been able to really make a splash. Their form coming into the tournament indicates they may be set for a similar tale this time around, with one win in their last seven, losing four. When it comes to tournament football, however, anything can happen. They have the talent to potentially emerge from the group, but execution is what matters.

Key player: Kika Nazareth

This Portuguese side received a major boost with the announcement of their 23-player roster, with the inclusion of star midfielder Kika Nazareth. It has been touch-and-go for the FC Barcelona star, having missed the back-end of last term. It is unclear as of yet how much of a role she will be able to play, but if she can feature from the off, she will be a huge difference maker. Nazareth plays with a certain flair and style that makes her stand out – and with the expectations of a nation on her shoulders, she will be hoping to get the chance to deliver.

• FIFA World Ranking: 2
• Best EUROs finish: Semi-finals (1997)
• Captain: Irene Paredes
• Head coach: Montserrat Tomé

There are no two ways about it: Spain are the undisputed favourites coming into this edition of the EUROs. World Champions, UEFA Nations League winners… they are the team to beat and everyone knows it. A team glittered with star names, two of which are Ballon d’Or winners, they have really come into their own in recent years. The rise of Barcelona on the domestic stage has been mirrored in Spain’s success internationally – the two arguably go hand in hand. They have only lost one game in their last seven, a 1-0 defeat by England, winning six. Their dominance is what could very well see them to yet another major title – a first in this competition.

Key player: Mariona Caldentey

When you have a team like Spain, full of so many superstar names, it can be hard to pick just one. Mariona Caldentey, however, continues to prove herself as the difference for both club and country. She is a relentless worker both on and off the ball and boasts an impressive skillset that makes her a difficult opponent to face. Versatile enough to play across the forward line and in some areas of the midfield, making her a real asset.

3 July

• Belgium v Italy (18:00 CEST)
• Spain v Portugal (21:00 CEST)

7 July

• Spain v Belgium (18:00 CEST)
• Portugal v Italy (21:00 CEST)

11 July

• Portugal v Belgium (21:00 CEST)
• Italy v Spain (21:00 CEST)

Belgium supporters can watch the action on RTBF Tipik & Auvio, Sporza and VRT Max. Italians can tune in through RAI Play, while Spain hopefuls can see it all on RTVE Play. Lastly, RTP1 + RTP2 will show the games in Portugal.