Sarina Wiegman braced for Euro 2025 ‘Group of Death’

Sarina Wiegman faces her steepest challenge yet

Sarina Wiegman heads to Switzerland with a glittering résumé that includes back-to-back European crowns and consecutive World Cup finals, yet Euro 2025 already feels different. England’s Lionesses will tackle hosts France, Wales and Wiegman’s former side the Netherlands in what many are calling the tournament’s “Group of Death”.

Key absences rock the Lionesses

The departures of goalkeeper Mary Earps, who retired in March, and centre-back lynchpin Millie Bright, sidelined by a knee injury, have ripped two pillars from Wiegman’s spine. Rising shot-stopper Hannah Hampton and versatile defender Leah Williamson, fresh from her own injury lay-off, must now anchor a back line that will be tested from matchday one.

Tactical tweaks on the horizon

Without Earps’ distribution and Bright’s aerial dominance, Wiegman is expected to revert to a double pivot, asking Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway to protect an inexperienced defence while Lauren James drifts centrally to spark attacks. Whether this more cautious set-up can still unleash the high-pressing, possession-heavy football that delivered Euro 2022 glory remains the key question.

Third straight European title on the line

Should England navigate the group, Spain or Germany loom in the knock-outs. Achieving a historic third successive continental crown would cement Wiegman’s legacy as the pre-eminent coach of her generation—yet failure could invite the first real scrutiny of her reign.

Opinion: belief will decide England’s fate

Euro 2025 is Wiegman’s sternest examination, but her track record of moulding adversity into triumph cannot be ignored. If the patched-up Lionesses buy into her adaptable game plan, another deep run is possible. Doubt, not talent, is their biggest opponent.