December 17 – Women’s Euro 2021 champions England will open their title defence against France at the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland next summer.
In what is a tough Group D, they will also face 2017 champions Netherlands and neighbours Wales.
On Monday, the draw was held for the continent’s 16-team flagship women’s tournament. The four groups set up a number of blockbuster ties and local rivalries.
In Group B World champions Spain will open against Portugal. They also face Italy and Belgium.
In Group C Germany were handed a tricky task, opening against Poland before meeting 2017 runners-up Denmark and the 2022 semi-finalists Sweden.
England manager Sarina Wiegman, who will face her native country in Group D, said: “The group is tough. But at the same time these are the facts and we knew, with how the pots were, that it would be difficult anyway. The women’s game is developing so quickly so I don’t think there are easy things anymore. We have seen in the Nations League we have two tough games and we just have to be ready. Straight away, you have to be at the top level when we go into the tournament and that makes us really sharp.”
Dutch manager Andries Jonker echoed her comments: “I think the winner of this group can win the whole tournament because that is the quality and the strength of the group [D].
“It is a lot easier when you compare our group to Group A. We have three top teams in Group D and no top team in Group A with all the respect to them. But our team is used to handling situations so it is the way it is. It is always special [facing Wiegman] because we’re friends. Normally with friends you wish them the best but as sports people we want to beat the other one. We both want to win. That means you have to hurt your friend. But we are both on the same page and the respect for each other won’t change.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1737599620labto1737599620ofdlr1737599620owedi1737599620sni@i1737599620tnuk.1737599620ardni1737599620mas1737599620