Lionesses Euro 2025: Why England Can Go Back-to-Back

Lionesses Euro 2025 will test England’s reigning champions to the limit, yet there is ample evidence Sarina Wiegman’s squad can emerge from Switzerland with the trophy still in their possession. Drawn into a brutal group with France, the Netherlands and Wales, and missing stalwarts Mary Earps and Millie Bright, the Lionesses know the road is rocky. But tournament football is rarely about smooth rides; it is about peaking at the right moment, harnessing momentum and leaning on match-winners. Below, we break down six compelling reasons England can defend their crown.

Lionesses Euro 2025: Six reasons England can retain the title

1. Alessia Russo’s red-hot form in front of goal

Arsenal striker Alessia Russo finished the WSL season with a career-best conversion rate, silencing doubts after her high-profile move from Manchester United. Her movement between the lines has sharpened, and her link-up play with Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly has become telepathic. In qualifying, she averaged a goal every 92 minutes; that kind of ruthless edge wins tournaments.

2. Sarina Wiegman’s unrivalled tournament touch

No coach in the women’s game boasts Wiegman’s recent résumé: European champion in 2017 with the Netherlands, European champion in 2022 with England, and a World Cup finalist in 2023. Her calm decision-making—like switching to a back three mid-World Cup—shows she can out-think elite peers when the margins shrink.

3. A deeper, more versatile squad than ever

The losses of Earps and Bright hurt, yet they have accelerated the development of fresh options. Hannah Hampton is ready to seize the gloves, while Jess Carter brings composure to central defence. In midfield, Grace Clinton’s breakout year gives Wiegman a dynamic No. 8 who can press or create. England can now flip seamlessly between a 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-1-2 without weakening.

4. Set-piece supremacy

Assistant coach Arjan Veurink drills relentless routines on the training ground, and the data backs it up: since Euro 2022, 35% of England’s goals have come from corners, wide free-kicks or long throws. Alex Greenwood’s wicked left-foot inswingers and Leah Williamson’s near-post darts—Williamson returns from injury just in time—remain deadly weapons.

5. Battle-hardened experience

Switzerland 2025 will mark six consecutive major tournaments for Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh and Greenwood. They have navigated penalty shoot-outs, extra-time epics and the pressure of playing a home final at Wembley. When group-stage jeopardy arrives—France in Geneva, for instance—those memories will steady the ship.

6. Youthful fearlessness and squad harmony

Lotte Wubben-Moy, Katie Zelem and Lauren James inject fresh energy and refuse to be overawed. Crucially, Wiegman’s open-door communication style fosters genuine camaraderie; when fringe players feel valued, training intensity soars and injury stand-ins slot in smoothly.

The road through the group of death

France pose the first hurdle on 4 July. Hervé Renard’s side press aggressively, yet England exploited that high line in last year’s 2-1 friendly win, with Russo peeling wide to drag centre-backs out of shape. Four days later come the Netherlands, where Wiegman faces her homeland and former pupils. Wales round out the group; Gemma Grainger’s team defend deep, but their lack of goal threat should allow England to rotate if qualification is already sealed.

Potential knockout clashes: Spain rematch on the horizon

Finishing top of Group D is vital. Slip to second and the Lionesses likely meet World Cup holders Spain in the quarter-finals. Wiegman’s blueprint for avenging that Sydney heartbreak hinges on neutralising Aitana Bonmatí with a double pivot of Walsh and Clinton, then springing Russo and James on counter-attacks. Top the group, however, and a more favourable route via Group C’s runners-up—possibly Denmark—emerges.

Key players to watch

Leah Williamson

Back from an ACL tear, the 2022 skipper reads danger two passes ahead and pings line-breaking diagonals that open low blocks.

Lauren James

Her ability to beat players one-on-one provides the unpredictable spark England occasionally lacked in the last World Cup final.

Hannah Hampton

The Aston Villa goalkeeper’s reflexes are elite, but her distribution could be even more important if England build from the back to evade aggressive presses.

How England have prepared

A January-to-May schedule packed with WSL, Champions League and Arnold Clark Cup fixtures has given Wiegman data on each player’s load. England’s pre-tournament camp in the Swiss Alps emphasised altitude conditioning and team-building hikes, echoing the bonding sessions that preceded their 2022 triumph. Analytics guru Anton Caldwell has also introduced new GPS-based recovery metrics, helping fine-tune daily workloads.

Fixture list and broadcast details

• 4 July, Geneva: France v England (BBC/ITV)
• 8 July, Bern: Netherlands v England (BBC/ITV)
• 12 July, Zurich: England v Wales (BBC/ITV)

Knockout rounds run 16–27 July, with Basel’s St. Jakob-Park hosting the final.

Ticket and travel tips for supporters

Official UEFA allocations sold out quickly, but resale platforms such as the FA’s community exchange still release small batches weekly. Basel, Zurich and Geneva are linked by efficient SBB trains; a Swiss Travel Pass covers unlimited journeys and is cheaper than individual tickets if you plan to follow England across multiple cities. Aim to book accommodation near transport hubs—hostel beds vanish fastest on matchdays.

Historical context: defending champions at the Women’s Euros

Only Germany (1995–2013) have successfully defended the title. England seek to join that elite club and secure back-to-back wins for the first time in their history. The Lionesses Euro 2025 campaign therefore carries legacy-defining weight: emulate Germany’s dynasty and the team cements its place as an era-shaping force.

Final thoughts

Despite injuries and a brutal draw, England possess the fire-power, tactical intellect and psychological steel to lift consecutive European trophies. For a squad built on resilience, the hardest path could once again lead to the sweetest destination.

Opinion

If England stay clinical in both boxes—Russo finishing one end, Hampton commanding the other—the rest of Europe should brace for another Lioness roar in Basel.