Euro 2025 – Inside World Football

Romanian FA meets with British ambassador to discuss closer football ties

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:28:30 +0000

January 16 -The British Ambassador to Romania, Giles Portman (pictured left), conducted an official working visit to the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) headquarters at Casa Fotbalului, meeting with FRF President Razvan Burleanu (right) to discuss strengthening ties through sport.

The meeting focused on several key pillars of cooperation.

Both parties explored facilitating programmes where British football experts would share their technical and administrative expertise with Romanian club representatives through dedicated FRF projects.

Clubs earn a combined €9m for releasing players for Women’s Euro 2025

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:20:31 +0000

December 22 – Women’s clubs have received a record €9 million from UEFA’s club benefits programme for the release of players for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.

The sum was club agreed in collaboration with European Football Clubs (EFC), and distributed a record €9 million to 103 European clubs this year. It is double the figure from Women’s EURO 2022.

“As women’s football continues to grow and thrive, we want everyone to share in its success.

PepsiCo closes in on 6-year renewal of UEFA men’s club comp sponsorships

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 07:58:42 +0000

December 22- UEFA is set to renew PepsiCo as its global soft drinks partner for its men’s club competitions with a six-year deal running from 2027 to 2033.

PepsiCo has been a UEFA Champions League sponsor since 2015 and last renewed its partnership in June 2023 for the three-year 2024–27 cycle, the first partner to do so. In 2023 PepsiCo also added a $1 million investment in projects supported by the UEFA Foundation for Children.

Gary Neville falls foul of betting integrity watchdog as Sky Bet told to remove ad featuring Overlap

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 04:10:03 +0000

October 23 – Gary Neville, England’s self-appointed moral arbiter on football governance, has found himself in the middle of more controversy with a Sky Bet ad he features in falling foul of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The ASA yesterday ordered Sky Bet to remove a promotional tweet with an embedded video of The Overlap, Neville’s YouTube video series.

The ASA told Sky Bet not to publish any ads with a ‘strong appeal’ to under-18s in the future.

Norwegians mounted major security operation to keep Israeli team safe but protests were still noisy

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:55:51 +0000

October 13 – Norway defeated Israel 5-0 in World Cup qualifying following an Erling Haaland hat-trick and the biggest security operation for a sporting event in the country since the Lillehammer 1994 Winter Olympic Games.

Some 1,500 pro-Palestine protesters marched to the Ullevaal Stadium ahead of the the 2026 World Cup qualifier, before the police used tear gas and ultimately arrested 22 people at the tail end of the demonstration. Inside the venue,

UEFA releases Women’s Euro 2025 technical report

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:28:17 +0000

October 1 – UEFA has released its technical review of the Women’s EURO 2025. The tournament has already provided record data off the pitch from attendance to broadcast coverage. The technical report provides data that shows that new standards are being set on it as well.

Members of UEFA’s Technical Observer Group assessed the matches from a coaching perspective, identifying key tactical themes for further analysis. They were supported by the UEFA performance analysis unit in Nyon.

England celebrate EURO glory in front of huge crowds in London

Andy Elliott — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 11:54:33 +0000

July 29 – Thousands lined the streets of London on Tuesday as the Lionesses celebrated their Euro 2025 triumph with an open-top bus parade in the capital.

England’s dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Spain on Sunday – highlighted by Hannah Hampton’s two saves in the shootout and Chloe Kelly’s winning spot-kick – sparked jubilation at home and abroad.

More than 16 million people tuned in to the broadcast live, making it the most-watched television moment in the UK this year.

England and Spain dominate EURO 2025 Team of the Tournament

Andy Elliott — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 11:32:37 +0000

July 29 – UEFA’s Technical Observer panel has named its Women’s EURO 2025 Team of the Tournament – with finalists England and Spain unsurprisingly dominating the selection.

Both countries have four players included in the XI, underlining their dominance in a competition that culminated in a dramatic final between the two powerhouses of the women’s game.

Spain may have come up just short in the final, but they still produced the Player of the Tournament,

England retain Euro title with penalty shootout win over Spain

Paul Nicholson — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 20:59:35 +0000

England 1 (3) Spain 1 (1)

July 27 – England, starring Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton, retained their European title defeating Spain 3-1 from the penalty spot following a 1-1 comeback draw in the final of Euro 2025.

The Lionesses simply did not give up. On the biggest stage of all, against the most noble of opponents, they transcended themselves again to draw level in regular time, cling on in extra time and prevail in the penalty shootout with two saves from Hannah Hampton and the deciding spot kick from Chloe Kelly to defend their European crown.

Euro 2025 smashes attendance records

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:34:17 +0000

July 25 – With the final to come on Sunday, Euro 2025 has smashed the all-time attendance tournament record with 623,088 supporters passing the turnstiles, surpassing the previous record held by Euro 2022.

Even before Euro 2025 kicked off, organisers had sold more than 600,000 tickets to topple the 574,875 tickets sold in 2022 in England.

Throughout the group stages, records fell. In Basel, Switzerland – Norway, the host’s opening match,

The post Euro 2025 smashes attendance records appeared first on Inside World Football.

Wück wants development but sees ‘bright future’ for Germany

Andy Elliott — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:29:18 +0000

July 24 – Germany manager Christian Wück has said that the future is bright for his side after their semi-final exit against Spain at EURO 2025.

Germany fell just short against Spain after a moment of brilliance in extra-time from back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí handed them a 1-0 defeat, sending them home from the tournament.

The Germans played with all the swagger of a staunch tournament team,

Bonmati’s moment of brilliance sends Spain to final against England

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 22:17:04 +0000

Spain 1 Germany 0

July 23 – Aitana Bonmati, the world’s best player, led Spain to a 1- 0 extra-time victory against Germany with a 113th-minute goal and to a first-ever Euro final where England await in a repeat of the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.

Not even Germany could crack Spain. For 113 minutes, Germany did just about everything right: they held their shape, closed down the spaces and snuffed out every dangerous Spanish pass or incursion.

England leave it late to break Italy’s resistance

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 23:42:53 +0000

Italy 1 England 2

July 22 – With a goal deep in added time by Michelle Agyemang to level the scores, and a winner at the end of extra of time from Chloe Kelly, England pushed past Italy to secure a place in the WEuro 2025 final on Sunday in Basel.

Once again it was England’s super subs who came to the rescue on another night of high drama for the English who are making a habit of keeping their fans on edge until the very end.

England’s EURO march delivering record-breaking night

Andy Elliott — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 08:47:14 +0000

July 22 – Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses attracted a peak audience of 7.4 million viewers on the BBC for their EURO 2025 quarter-final win over Sweden on penalties. ITV hope to do even better tonight for their semi-final against Italy.

The BBC numbers tell a story even the most optimistic couldn’t have scripted, a success to makes television executives reach for the good champagne and start drafting press releases patting themselves on the back.

Swiss and Sundhage keep all options open

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:03:01 +0000

July 21 – Pia Sundhage remains undecided about her future with Switzerland after leading the Nati to the last eight of Euro 2025.

On Saturday, Sundhage (pictured), whose contract runs until the end of the year, had been expected to reveal her future plans at a news conference but instead Marion Daube, the director of women’s football at the Swiss FA, said that it was time to let the tournament and Switzerland’s run sink in before thinking about the future.

The post Swiss and Sundhage keep all options open appeared first on Inside World Football.

Player down, Germany cling on to beat France in penalty shootout

Paul Nicholson — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 22:57:11 +0000

France 1 Germany 1 (5-6 pens)

July 19 – Germany recovered from a 13th-minute red card to knockout France on penalties following a 1-1 draw and set up a blockbuster semi-final against Spain.

It was German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, a two-time cancer survivor, who led the rearguard action by the record eight-time European champions. In the image of her team, she was not just heroic but also indefatigable in turning the tie around.

Spanish break proud Swiss resistence

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:04:13 +0000

Switzerland 0 Spain 2

July 18 – Host nation Switzerland exited Euro 2025 after a 2-0 defeat to world champions Spain in the quarter-finals.

For 66 minutes, the hosts fought tooth and nail to keep their tournament dream alive – their collective defending, last-ditch tackles, self-belief, high work rate and the help of the football gods kept Spain, the tournament favourites, at bay before substitute Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Pina,

The post Spanish break proud Swiss resistence appeared first on Inside World Football.

Sundhage says Spain quarter final is a defining moment for Swiss women’s game

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 07:22:24 +0000

July 18 – Switzerland boss Pia Sundhage has called the quarterfinal against Spain the biggest managerial challenge of her career yet.

Ranked 23rd on the FIFA ranking, the Euro 2025 host nation will be underdogs against the world champions. They wriggled their way to the last eight with a late equaliser against Finland in their final group game. By contrast, Spain have been in imperious form, scoring 14 goals against Italy, Portugal and Belgium to underline their status as tournament favourites.

England shot stopper Hampton says they are back

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 06:34:58 +0000

July 18 – England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton said “proper England is back” after the European champions rallied from behind to eliminate Sweden from the penalty spot in a tense quarter-final.

The 24-year-old England number one has been in the spotlight for weeks after Mary Earps’ shock decision to retire from international football. On Thursday, she proved a hero, repaying the faith of her manager Sarina Wiegman in a dramatic quarter-final that finished with England prevailing in the penalty shootout.

Down and out, England comeback stuns Sweden

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 22:34:12 +0000

Sweden 2 England 2 (2-3 pens)

July 17 – In a dramatic quarter-final, European champions England defeated Sweden 3-2 in a penalty shootout to complete a stunning comeback from two goals down in the first half. Their dreams of retaining their title live on.

Never count out England. At times, they seemed utterly lost, at times they seemed desperate, but two goals down and with 11 minutes left on the clock,

The post Down and out, England comeback stuns Sweden appeared first on Inside World Football.

England in a “very good place” ahead of Sweden EURO 2025 quarter-final

Andy Elliott — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:59:20 +0000

July 17 – England’s players and their manager Sarina Wiegman have warned not to underestimate quarter-final opponents Sweden, who have enjoyed a perfect EURO 2025 so far.

Three years ago, at EURO 2022, England cruised past Sweden 4-0 in the semi-finals en route to the European title, but in Switzerland, the Swedish topped their group ahead of Germany – extending a unbeaten record that dates back to December 2023 in all competitions.

Grainger backs her players following Norway’s exit EURO 2025

Andy Elliott — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:45:29 +0000

July 17 – Italy’s Cristiana Girelli notched a last-gasp winner to secure her country’s path into the semi-finals of EURO 2025 at the Stade de Genève on Wednesday at the expense of Norway and Ada Hegerberg.

The 35-year-old striker netted both goals in the 2-1 victory, to set up a semi-final meeting with Sweden or England on Tuesday.

Hegerberg, a legend of the women’s game, equalised Girelli’s initial opener,

Girelli double fires high energy Italy into semi final

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:19:24 +0000

Norway 1 Italy 2

July 17 – Under the stunning Geneva sunset, Italy’s veteran forward Cristiana Girelli headed home an 89th-minute winner to send Italy into their first Women’s Euro semi-final since 2013, dumping out a wasteful Norway side who had arrived with a perfect group record but left with little else.

The headlines will inevitably centre on Ada Hegerberg, whose second missed penalty of the tournament ultimately condemned Norway to an early exit.

Stakeholders meet to discuss development of women’s game

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 19:33:19 +0000

July 17 – On the sidelines of the Women’s Euro, the International Labor Organization (ILO) hosted a symposium to explore the improvement of labour conditions and responsible event hosting in women’s sports.

The meeting was attended by stakeholders across football including the Women’s Leagues Forum (WLF), European Leagues, Fifpro, and governing bodies, as well as the Swiss government and the Centre for Sport and Human Rights.

Topics covered included greater professionalisation of women’s football,

Norway chase renewed glory but need to get their stars to align against Italy

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:02:04 +0000

July 16 – Tonight Norway kick off the quarterfinals of Euro 2025 against Italy, dreaming of a spot in the last four and restoring their glory of old.

Their 4-3 win over Iceland has left manager Gemma Grainger with a selection dilemma: will 20-year-old Signe Gaupset (pictured) start or not? NRK reported that the Brann player will make the starting XI. On Tuesday, Grainger said: “With Signe, the Iceland performance, that wasn’t so much of a surprise to any of us.

England captain respectful and wary of Sweden’s tournament record

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:00:45 +0000

July 16 – England captain Leah Williamson said there needs to be a greater recognition of the quality of their quarter-final opponents Sweden, who she said were a “relentless” team at major tournaments.

The Swedish had flown under the radar at Euro 2025 until they demolished Germany 4-1 to claim top spot in Group C with a perfect record. They came from behind to defeat one of the tournament favourites who had Carlotta Wamser dismissed in the first half.

Women’s football “setting a new standard” at Euro 2025

Andy Elliott — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 10:19:58 +0000

July 15 – UEFA has announced the Women’s EURO 2025 as the most attended edition in the competition’s history, underlining the continued momentum of the sport.

Even before a ball was kicked, the tournament broke records with more than 600,000 tickets sold — a figure that surpassed the total attendance of the previous edition in 2022, which drew 574,875 fans.

UEFA has confirmed that 461,582 spectators attended matches during the group stage alone,

Euro 2025 reaches quarter final stage but who can beat Spain?

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 01:11:28 +0000

July 14 – After 24 matches and 3.7 goals on average per game, eight teams remains, all with a chance and a dream of conquering Euro 2025.

As in any tournament, the host nation’s progress is of importance to the national engagement in the tournament. Under Pia Sundhage, the Swiss huffed and puffed in their group, losing their opening match and flirted with disaster against Finland. But in stoppage time, Riola Xhemaili delivered glory against Finland.

French keep perfect record with imperious second half comeback

Paul Nicholson — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 22:31:28 +0000

Netherlands 2 France 5

July 13 – France rallied from behind to defeat the Netherlands 5-2 and claim top spot in Group D with a perfect record and in doing so eliminating Oranje and their departing manager Andries Jonker from Euro 2025.

The French fell behind 2-1 in the first half but came roaring back with a three-goal blitz after the hour mark to top the group with nine points,

England cruise past Wales to set up Sweden quarter final

Paul Nicholson — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 21:00:01 +0000

Wales 1 England 6

July 13 – England strolled into the Euro 2025 quarter-finals with a thumping 6-1 victory over neighbours Wales in St Gallen, confirming a last-eight meeting with Sweden and sending the tournament debutants home without a point.

Earlier in the day, St Gallen’s city centre was a canvas of colour and cheer. England’s white mingled with the red of Wales in a whirl of chants, paper flags,