Women’s Euro 2025: Group B preview as World Champions Spain gear up | OneFootball

With the opening day of action done and dusted, it is Group B’s turn to take the stage. Spain, Italy, Portugal and Belgium gear up for an action-packed summer at Women’s Euro 2025.

Ready to kick off on Thursday July 3, these four nations will be sure to bring the excitement to Euro 2025. Full to the brim of dazzling forwards and headstrong defenders, Group B will certainly keep the popcorn flowing.

Here is all you need to know about all four nations in Group B ahead of the second day of Euro 2025.

Spain

Current World Cup holders Spain will be hungry to defend their name this summer as they set their sights on a maiden Women’s Euros title. Despite their recent success on the global stage, Spain have never topped their group at the European Championships.

The side have endured a tricky two years since being crowned World Champions in Australia, as their form continues to ebb and flow. A February loss to England in the UEFA Women’s Nations League left the side with questions, before all faults were corrected last month as a Claudia Pina brace stole victory over the Lionesses.

Recent news sent shockwaves through the Spain camp after two-time ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati was hospitalised with viral meningitis. The Barcelona superstar has since been discharged, and is back training with her nation.

One to watch: Arsenal star Mariona Caldentey will be key for Spain if they are to back up their incredible World Cup feat. The exciting and creative forward usually plies her trade on the wing for La Roja, meaning she will certainly be one to watch on the scoresheet.

Italy

Italy holds a real advantage heading into the tournament as the only team in Group B that has not faced the others in recent Nations League fixtures. This should bring an element of surprise to Andrea Soncin’s Italian outfit as they head into a tough group.

Italy enters their 13th appearance in the competition as the only nation in Women’s Euros history to have reached the final twice without ever claiming the title.

The Italians have been some form of kryptonite to Spain throughout history, winning four out of seven past encounters, drawing two and losing just one. Italy stole a 3-2 victory over Spain in the Nations League back in 2023, before the two sides drew 1-1 last October in a friendly fixture.

One to watch: Striker Cristiana Girelli will be ready to bang in the goals this summer, as Italy’s third top scorer of all time. The Juventus dynamo brings experience and composure to Le Azzure.

Belgium

Often overlooked following a 5-1 defeat to Group B opponents Spain just last month, Belgium are not just here to make up the numbers. England will know that the Belgians pack a punch after captain Tessa Wullaert scored a brace in a dazzling victory over the Lionesses in the Nations League.

The Red Flames will arrive in Switzerland with a sense of confidence, having recently dislodged group opponents Portugal in a 3-0 victory just last month.

One to watch: West Ham United centre back Amber Tysiak will be a key performer for the Red Flames if they are to withstand the firing frontlines in Group B. The towering defender is strong in the air on the ground, and will be a pivotal asset for Belgium at Euro 2025. The last time Tysiak featured at the Euros, she was not yet a professional football, but a working school teacher.

Portugal

Portugal prepare for their third consecutive Women’s Euros this summer, having never qualified for the tournament before 2017. The side are stacked full of promising talent, but are yet to make it out of the group stages at a major tournament. Francisco Neto and his side will be hungry to rewrite the narrative in Switzerland.

Neto’s side will certainly have a mountain to climb this summer following a recent 7-1 defeat to Spain in the Nations League. The side will need to shake off old demons as they prepare to face the World Champions on Thursday night.

Portugal have also encountered Belgium over recent months, taking away one win and one loss from the meetings.

One to watch: Plying her trade for NWSL side NJ/NY Gotham FC, Jessica Silva will be hoping to be the hero for Portugal this summer. With Barcelona forward Kika Nazareth in doubt for the opening fixture after suffering an ankle injury earlier in the year, 30-year-old Silva will need to be at her best in order to inspire her side in Switzerland.