UEFA Euro 2025 – Can England’s Lionesses Defend Their Title in Switzerland?
Four years ago, England’s Lionesses earned their first major trophy at international level when defeating Germany 2-1 after extra time in the 2021 European Championship Final.
One World Cup Final defeat to Spain later, England are back, one of 16 teams competing this summer to become the new European Champions.
Can the Lionesses defend the title they won at Wembley? Let’s check out how Euro 2025 will pan out with a look at the group stage draw.
UEFA Euro 2025 – Group Stage Draw
Group A
- Finland
- Iceland
- Norway
- Switzerland
Matches
2nd July – 5 pm – Iceland v Finland
2nd July – 8 pm – Switzerland v Norway
6th July – 5 pm – Norway v Finland
6th July – 8 pm – Switzerland v Iceland
10th July – 8 pm – Finland v Switzerland
10th July – 8 pm – Norway v Iceland
Group B
- Belgium
- Italy
- Portugal
- Spain
Matches
3rd July – 5 pm – Belgium v Italy
3rd July – 8 pm – Spain v Portugal
7th July – 5 pm – Spain v Belgium
7th July – 8 pm – Portugal v Italy
11th July – 8 pm – Portugal v Belgium
11th July – 8 pm – Italy v Spain
Group C
Denmark
Germany
Poland
Sweden
Matches
4th July – 5 pm – Denmark v Sweden
4th July – 8 pm – Germany v Poland
8th July – 5 pm – Germany v Denmark
8th July – 8 pm – Poland v Sweden
12th July – 8 pm – Poland v Denmark
12th July – 8 pm – Sweden v Germany
Group D
England
France
Netherlands
Wales
Matches
5th July – 5 pm – Wales v Netherlands
5th July – 8 pm – France v England
9th July – 5 pm – England v Netherlands
9th July – 8 pm – France v Wales
13th July – 8 pm – England v Wales
13th July – 8 pm – Netherlands v France
Euro 2025 Group Stage Analysis
Drawn in Group D, England have one of the tougher groups in Euro 2025, while Group A is comfortably the weakest with hosts Switzerland given a dream draw.
The other three groups have three genuine contenders for the knockout phase and one outsider with Italy or Belgium likely to join Spain in the knockout phase, Denmark, Germany and Sweden battling it out for the top two spots in Group D, while England will likely have to face off France and the Netherlands to qualify from Group D.
But if England do qualify, who will they likely meet in the Quarterfinals?
England’s Path in Euro 2025
If England Finish Second in Group D –
Quarterfinal v Winner of Group C (Denmark, Sweden or Germany)
Semifinal v Winner Group A/ Runner Up Group B (Switzerland, Belgium or Italy)
Final – Winner Group D, Runner Up Group C, Winner Group B, Runner Up Group A (France, Netherlands, Spain or Norway)
If England Win Group D –
Quarterfinal v Runner up of Group C (Denmark, Sweden or Germany)
Semifinal v Winner Group B/ Runner Up Group A (Spain, Norway or Iceland)
Final v Runner Up Group D, Winner Group C, Runner Up Group B, Winner Group A (France, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Italy or Norway)
Current Odds for Outright Winner at Euro 2025
- Spain – 3.00
- England – 5.00
- France, Germany – 6.00
- Sweden – 15.00
- Netherlands – 17.00
- Denmark – 21.00
- Italy, Norway, Switzerland – 26.00
- Iceland – 41.00
- Portugal – 51.00
- Belgium – 67.00
- Finland – 201.00
- Poland, Wales – 251.00
All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport at the time of publication but may have changed in the meantime.
England’s Chances?
The bookmakers may have England as the second favourites, but this looks like being a very tough test for Sarina Wiegman and her team. Mary Earps, Fran Kirby and Millie Bright have pulled out of the squad, all vital players in their Euros success four years ago, and star player Lauren James is not fully fit.
Add to that a tough set of opening fixtures against France and the Netherlands and this represents a very big task for England.
However, if they can get through the group stage, then there could be a real chance of progress, but it will be the first two group stage games that likely defines England’s defence of the title they hold.
