🤯 The biggest shocks in Women's EURO history | OneFootball

The UEFA Women's Euro, the most prestigious continental tournament in European women's football, has been the stage for great feats, but also for unexpected results that have left fans and experts alike open-mouthed.

From victories of teams considered "Cinderellas" to historic thrashings, we review the biggest surprises that have marked the history of this championship.

1984: Sweden, the first unexpected champion

The inaugural edition of the Women's Euro, held in 1984, did not have a traditional final phase, but a format of semifinals and final over two legs. In a tournament dominated by uncertainty, Sweden lifted the trophy after beating England in the final on penalties (4-3) after a 1-1 draw. Although the Swedes had emerging talent, their victory against a more experienced England surprised many and set a precedent: in the Women's EURO, no one is ruled out in advance.

2017: Austria gives Spain a slap in the face in the quarterfinals

Austria made its debut in the Women's Euro in 2017 and left an indelible mark. Against all odds, the Austrians reached the semifinals after eliminating Spain in the quarterfinals on penalties (5-3) after a goalless draw in a forgettable match for Jorge Vilda's team. The team, led by the charismatic Nina Burger, surprised with its defensive solidity and its ability to compete against established powers. Although they fell to Denmark in the semifinals, their performance was a fairy tale that inspired a new generation of players in Austria.

2022: France steamrolls Italy in 45 minutes

In the 2022 edition, France gave a display of offensive power by thrashing Italy 5-1 in the group stage, with a devastating first half in which they scored all five goals. Grace Geyoro became the protagonist by scoring the first hat-trick completed before halftime in the history of the tournament. The Azzurra, known for their defensive solidity, could not contain the French onslaught, and this unexpected result marked a turning point in the tournament, consolidating Les Bleues as favorites.

2022: Belgium, the surprise guest in the quarterfinals

Belgium, another team considered an outsider, surprised at EURO 2022 by reaching the quarterfinals after overcoming a difficult group stage that included France and Italy. Their 1-1 draw against France and 1-0 victory over Iceland were results that few anticipated. Although they fell to Sweden in the quarters (1-0), the Red Flames demonstrated that European women's football is more competitive than ever, with emerging teams capable of challenging the great powers.

A tournament of unpredictable emotions

The Women's Euro has shown throughout its history that football does not understand favoritism. From the emergence of Sweden in 1984 to the feats of Austria and Belgium in recent editions, this tournament has gifted moments that have defied forecasts and have consolidated its place as one of the most exciting competitions in the sport. With the 2025 edition in Switzerland just around the corner, what new surprises will European women's football bring us?

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