Women’s Euro 2025 Talk | Finland and Norway start with victories on a hot opening day
Our first daily newsletter which will be posting throughout this year’s Women’s Euros, with match analysis', previews, and thoughts on news stories that break during the tournament.
Well, that’s day 1 done and dusted, and it was an interesting opening day of the tournament as we saw Finland and Norway get off to the starts they would have wanted by winning their first Group A matches.
The build-up to yesterday’s opening day action centred around the heat that is currently having an effect in Switzerland, with high temperatures meaning that cooling breaks would be allowed during matches. The conditions were a talking point but ultimately, it was the matches themselves that would end as the talking points by the end of the night.
From some disappointing performances to an opening ceremony after the opening game of the tournament? Let’s get into the analysis of the two Group A matches from yesterday…
Kosola stars for Finland as they beat Iceland
The opening game of Women’s Euro 2025 ended in a 1-0 victory for Finland courtesy of a lovely goal from Katariina Kosola in the 70th minute. The victory for Finland was the first time they have won a match at the European Championships since 2009, ending an eight-match winless run in the competition in the process.
It wasn’t one of the more memorable opening matches at a major tournament and oddly, an occurrence where the tournament hosts weren’t involved either and the first half saw both teams take a bit of time to find their way. It was quite cagey and a bit scrappy in moments. Katariina Kosola forced a save out of Cecilía Rúnarsdóttir in one of the better chances of the half.
We had a red card brought out before we saw a goal in this one as Iceland went down to 10 players with Hildur Antonsdóttir receiving a second yellow not long after getting her first caution. Watching it live on TV, there was confusion as to why the red was shown, but replays showed that it looked like the correct decision as she did stamp on Eveliina Summanen’s ankle before the 58th minute.
It was advantage Finland and they capitalised on that when they went ahead 12 minutes after the red card incident. Katariina Kosola was found out on the far side, and she cut back inside, well to send a curling strike past Rúnarsdóttir to make it 1-0 and put her team in front.
Kosola was the star of this game by the end of it after an impressive showing from the Malmö winger. She was creating the better chances in the game for Finland and was very lively on that left wing. Very deserving of being named player of the match.
Iceland were starting to get more from the game as it neared its end, but they couldn’t find what they needed to earn at least a point from their opening game. A disappointing start to the tournament for Iceland who struggled a lot during the game and were a little surprising with the lack of quality that they showed considering they do have a couple of players capable of offering that.
Sveindís Jónsdóttir didn’t have one of her better games and it also kind of showed how reliant Iceland actually were on her. It was on the long throw attempts from Jónsdóttir where they were having much more opportunities, but also failed to make anything count off of those chances and never tested Anna Koivunen enough in the game.
Tactically, it looked like something wasn’t right about Iceland and it was in central areas where a lot of the problems occurred. They were sloppy on the ball and it meant they lost it so many times as they tried to get it up the pitch. Positionally as well they were quite deep which meant they didn’t have many options higher up so that they could progress forward.
Definitely some things to work on for Thorsteinn Halldórsson and his side, but they may have a cause for concern after one of their key names only featured for 45 minutes as Glódís Viggósdóttir went off with what was later revealed to be because of a stomach illness, and she had gone down twice for treatment in the first half where one time she had her teammates even surround her and the medical staff in a protective huddle. They’ll hope that their captain is back for the next game, but Viggósdóttir revealed post-match that she had been suffering from something for the last few days.
"It's terrible to lose and we feel frustrated, but that's how it is. It is an even group and we knew Finland were good, but our first half wasn't good enough. We played well in the second half, even though we were a player down for a big part of it – we played with courage under a lot of pressure, created a lot of chances and were unlucky not to score."
Iceland coach Thorsteinn Halldórsson’s comments in the post-match
"It's been 16 years since Finland last won at a major tournament, when the Women's EURO was played in Finland in 2009. Since then, we've had no victories at the 2013 and 2022 tournaments. I'm very satisfied to start with three points."
Finland coach Marko Saloranta speaking after the game
Norway come from behind to beat an impressive Switzerland
It was a case of a massive psychological barrier being beaten for Norway, who had to come from behind to beat the tournament hosts, and did so despite looking second-best for large parts against Switzerland, who performed well and will have been gutted to have not got anything from the game.
We had the opening ceremony to begin things, after the opening game but sure yeah, and is it just me that was looking at what they were holding and swinging around and then thought of the TV show Gladiators and what they use in the game ‘Duel’?
Anyway, moving on from the opening ceremony. Two beautifully sung national anthems then followed and the game kicked off with the host nation starting off brightly in an energetic beginning to the match where both sides had their moments, but the Swiss were getting a lot of joy in the wide areas in that first half which Norway allowed themselves to be exploited at. With the crowd fully behind them and up for the occasion, they ended up getting the breakthrough in the 28th minute.
Nadine Riesen had the ball come to her and she was able to sneak that ball in off the post to give Switzerland the 1-0 lead. It was made all too easy for them as the Norway players didn’t close them down and looked quite sluggish as they failed to put any pressure on the Swiss attackers. It was a common theme throughout the first half and ultimately they got punished.
It felt like a familiar tale with Norway as they went into the tunnel at half-time. A team that wasn’t clicking despite all the quality they have at their disposal, who have also played together enough times at major tournaments to be able to have that chemistry between them. But I almost wonder now if that is possibly part of the issue. Is there enough of a ‘team’ there within them rather than just a group of individuals who can produce quality moments? You need other elements to make things work too and perhaps a choice has to be made about who can best fit what it is Gemma Grainger wants to get across in this team, unless the plan was to sit off Switzerland and let them have some joy with the ball and try to pick them off afterwards.
The sound of cowbells was ringing around as the atmosphere was high in the St. Jakob-Park Stadium in Basel. However, that atmosphere was about to be brought to a halt in quick fashion. For all the poor play from Norway, they were back level with Ada Hegerberg scoring her 50th goal for her country. Switzerland keeper Livia Peng could have done better off the corner, but still Hegerberg was allowed to make the run into the area and get up unchallenged to head it in.
It got even better for Norway as they turned it around four minutes after going level. One simple long ball over the top worked in Norway’s favour, with Caroline Graham Hansen then able to cross in and almost find Hegerberg, but instead centre-back Julia Stierli ended up hitting the ball into her own net when trying to cut off the cross. It sent the Basel crowd into silence after the loud atmosphere when they were winning just minutes prior to that goal.
It felt like something had shifted slightly with Norway even though defensively there were still questions to ask of them, and Switzerland made sure to do that. We then got the most dramatic moments of the game as Norway got a penalty to make it 3-1, but Ada Hegerberg hit the ball wide of the left post and it stayed at 2-1. Then it got completely mad.
Switzerland’s first chance down the other end then led to the referee awarding a penalty to the Swiss to the delight of the home crowd. However, the decision would be overturned after the slightest offside in the build-up. Although even if there was no offside, it would have been checked by VAR and maybe even still overturned due to what looked like minimal contact on Nadine Riesen.
A few opportunities for both teams came after that with the home side having the better efforts, but they couldn’t bring things back level. and sadly for the hosts it was a defeat which meant they became the first hosting team to lose their opening game of a Women's European Championship. All the previous 12 have avoided defeat.
In terms of standout players, Ada Hegerberg was the best player for Norway - penalty miss aside. It was her experience which carried them through that one as she shone both in an attacking sense, but also did her bit defensively when needed during her time on the pitch.
On the Swiss side of things, you could pick out a few players who performed well. Iman Beney looked lively out on the wing in the early stages which would have excited Man City fans I’m sure.
But for me, Geraldine Reuteler was fantastic for them. She almost scored in the first half after hitting the woodwork before the opening goal, and she was so active on the pitch for them having started further up front. A hugely impressive showing by her and a Switzerland team that shouldn’t be too downbeat despite not getting a point from yesterday’s game.
"Switzerland started better than us. I have huge respect for them; I was not surprised. It was a strong talk at half-time – we have high standards in this team.”
"In football, you make your own luck. The games will be tight in this championship. Sometimes you want a perfect world where you perform and win; sometimes you perform and don’t win. I thought Switzerland were fabulous, but it was a game of two halves, and we came out the better in the second half."
Norway coach Gemma Grainger speaking in the post-match
"This was a fairly good game for the way we attacked, the way we played and created chances. We didn’t win the game because of set pieces and the own goal – such a small difference between being successful and not successful.”
"I am very disappointed, but it is important tomorrow to look at the performance. There are many things we can talk about boosting the players, team confidence, individual confidence, and then look at Iceland, who did not play the way Norway did."
Switzerland coach Pia Sundhage speaking in the post-match
Group B Match Previews
Belgium vs Italy | 17:00 BST
The first of today’s Group B matches is Belgium vs Italy in what could be a pivotal game for both of these teams in aiming to progress through to the knockout stages of this tournament. The two sides are meeting once again, just like they did in the group stages at the last European Championships.
Getting off to the best start possible is going to be a huge factor in both of these nations wanting to do well in this match. Belgium have been a little inconsistent with their form in 2025 and under Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir, while Italy have done okay under Andrea Soncin, they will want to live up to some of the hype that many have put on them with some, including myself, seeing them as dark horses at this tournament.
Andrea Soncin has talked in the buildup about having respect for his fellow Group B opposition, but also believes that his team has the strength and quality to win. Elisabet Gunnarsdóttir has spoken about her team needing to make sure they are alert when defending set-pieces and also trust their own strengths, with Gunnarsdóttir expecting to see an intense battle between two teams who like to attack.
Spain vs Portugal | 20:00 BST
The world champions kick off their campaign to win the European Championships when they face Portugal tonight in the later kick-off. Spain will be the overwhelming favourites heading into this match, but heading into this one they could have some players missing. Irene Paredes will definitely miss the match because of a suspension from 12 months ago.
Paredes was given a two-game suspension after getting a red card in a game against the Czech Republic in July last year. She hasn’t yet served the full ban, so will do and not feature in today’s game against Portugal.
There are at least two other concerns for Spain, one of which is Aitana Bonmatí and whether she features after she was in hospital with viral meningitis recently. She is with the Spanish squad, but head coach Montse Tomé has spoken about wanting to take things slow despite Bonmatí’s wish to play.
“I want to convey Aitana’s desire to play; we have to slow her down. According to the medical staff, her progress is positive. Obviously, her health is the most important thing, but her progress is positive.”
Montse Tome speaking at a press conference
Goalkeeper Cata Coll is another doubt after she too came down with an illness, but her progress in recovery has been revealed to have been positive, so she may be fine depending on her fitness.
Portugal boss Francisco Neto has spoken in the build-up ahead of his team’s game in Bern about how he thinks his team has to be ‘competitive and organised’, while also acknowledging how dominant Spain are as a team. He also spoke about the need for his team to take advantage of their opportunities.
It won’t be an easy one for Portugal and they have recently faced Spain in the Nations League. The first game ended 4-2 to Spain and the second was way more convincing as the Spanish scored seven goals against Portugal. Four of those goals were scored in the opening half an hour.