England faces tough opener against France in Euro 2025
- The Euro 2025 tournament is taking place in Switzerland, featuring defending champions England.
- The Lionesses will begin their title defense against France on July 5 in Zurich, amidst a challenging group.
- This opener sets the stage for a competitive tournament, with both teams under pressure to perform well.
Switzerland is hosting Euro 2025, where the defending champions England will kick off their campaign against France in Zurich on Saturday, July 5. This highly anticipated match is part of what has been dubbed the 'group of death,' featuring strong contenders such as the Netherlands and Wales. England, who defeated Germany in the Euro 2022 final, are seeking to retain their title after reaching the World Cup final in 2023. Both teams face significant pressure to secure a strong start in the tournament. England's squad is led by Sarina Wiegman, who faces selection challenges, particularly regarding Lauren James, recently returned from injury. Meanwhile, France's head coach Laurent Bonadei made surprising choices in his squad selection, omitting key players like Wendie Renard, aiming to achieve new results from the team. The historical rivalry between England and France adds extra excitement to this clash as it sets the tone for the tournament. In addition, Lucy Bronze emphasized the importance of facing strong opponents early on, which ensures that the team remains focused. This opening match could have significant implications for the progressing teams in the tournament, highlighting the competitive nature of the championship.