🔎 Women's EURO Group B: Spain face questions and a point to prove | OneFootball

The world champion leads a group full of talent, physical uncertainties, and great parity. Italy wants revenge, Belgium dreams of an upset, and Portugal clings to the talent of its golden generation.

⭐ One player from each team to watch

📸 Luca Amedeo Bizzarri - 2025 Getty Images

🇪🇸 Ona Batlle (Spain). The FC Barcelona full-back perfectly embodies the new Spanish total football: technique, tactical aggression, and constant physical output. In the absence (or with limited minutes) of Aitana Bonmatí, the creative weight shifts to other areas of the pitch, and Batlle emerges as a key player both in defense and attack. Her ability to push up the flank, create numerical advantages, and deliver assists from the byline can unlock tight matches. Furthermore, her competitive maturity after winning the World Cup makes her a silent reference within the group.

🇵🇹 Jéssica Silva (Portugal). The Benfica forward is one of the most experienced players on the Portuguese team. Versatile, explosive, and with great one-on-one skills, Silva will have to take on the offensive leadership of Portugal if Kika Nazareth doesn’t make it in time. Used to competing in the Champions League and with a past in leagues such as the American and French, her international experience will be crucial to guide a young generation in a particularly demanding group. If she’s inspired, she can decide matches from the wing or by drifting into central areas.

🇮🇹 Manuela Giugliano (Italy). The 27-year-old Roma midfielder is the creative brain of the team. With a notable ability to control the pace of play, provide assists from set pieces, and participate in build-up, Giugliano leads a midfield without an absolute star, but with collective balance. She was nominated for the Ballon d'Or for her campaign, and her recent Champions League experience has raised her level. Her role will be key for Italy to play fluidly and maintain a firm offensive approach.

🇧🇪 Tessa Wullaert (Belgium). The most lethal striker of the Red Flames, scorer of five goals in the qualifying phase, will be the clearest threat in Belgium’s attack. Her goal-scoring instinct and speed will be crucial to try to unsettle opponents like Spain and Italy. With more than 130 international caps, Wullaert will look to turn her experience into points for a team that knows how to compete to the limit.

❌ The most notable absences and injuries

Spain faces the tournament with two major question marks. Aitana Bonmatí, recently hospitalized for viral meningitis, remains doubtful just days before the debut. Her absence reshapes Montse Tomé’s midfield, who has already left out Jenni Hermoso, Misa Rodríguez, and Sheila García from the squad list. Laia Codina, a regular in defense, is also out due to pubalgia. The world champion arrives shaken, but not sunk.

Portugal is still monitoring the physical condition of Kika Nazareth, one of its biggest stars. Injured in March (ankle lateral ligament), she has returned to training with limitations. Although the final squad list has not yet been published, everything indicates her participation will be minimal if she makes it. Italy and Belgium, meanwhile, have been able to complete their preparations without any last-minute absences or significant physical setbacks.

🗓️ The most important match of the group stage

Spain – Portugal (July 3, Wankdorf Stadion, Bern)

The Iberian derby will set the pace for this Group B from the very start. For Spain, it will be an immediate test of their favoritism and their ability to adapt without their big star. For Portugal, it’s a chance to break the script and prove they’ve come to this tournament to truly compete. The result will carry psychological and qualifying weight, and could push Italy or Belgium to dream of more than just second place.

📊 Who are the favorites to advance?

📸 BEN STANSALL - AFP or licensors

Spain remains the main candidate to top the group, but no longer seems as unbreakable as a few weeks ago. Bonmatí’s fitness doubts and the lack of goals after Hermoso’s absence could take a toll in tight matches. The collective talent and experience are still there, but the alert is on.

Italy presents itself as the main alternative: defensive solidity, a veteran generation that knows the trade, and the ability to snatch points from any opponent. Belgium, for its part, already showed at EURO 2022 that it knows how to compete. If Wullaert is inspired, they could cause an upset. Portugal, with the possible partial return of Kika and the presence of Jéssica Silva, has talent, but seems a step below. However, in such a balanced group, an unexpected draw or victory could completely change the order.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 VIRGINIE LEFOUR