{"id":75570,"date":"2025-07-16T09:32:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T23:32:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=75570"},"modified":"2025-07-16T09:32:49","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T23:32:49","slug":"the-stage-is-set-who-will-progress-to-the-final-four","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2025\/07\/the-stage-is-set-who-will-progress-to-the-final-four\/","title":{"rendered":"The Stage is Set &#8211; Who Will Progress to the Final Four?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After an eventful three rounds of group stage matches in the 2025 Women\u2019s Euros, the road to glory becomes clearer as our last eight prepare to go head to head in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n<p>Norway plays Italy, Sweden meets England, Spain takes on Switzerland, and France faces Germany.<\/p>\n<p>Two thrilling sides of the bracket unfold, and the pathway to the final becomes sharper for Europe\u2019s best.<\/p>\n<p>So, who will make it all the way to Basel for the Final?<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83c\udfc6 The final eight are locked in \ud83d\udd10<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WEURO2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#WEURO2025<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZRFhxwHxlJ\">pic.twitter.com\/ZRFhxwHxlJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; UEFA Women&#39;s EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WEURO2025\/status\/1944513850281443692?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Norway managed to top Group A with three wins in three games, and will host an Italy side who scraped through Group B with four points.<\/p>\n<p>Gemma Grainger\u2019s Norway fought from behind to secure a 2-1 win in their opening game of the tournament against host-nation Switzerland, who dominated much of the encounter.<\/p>\n<p>Their second match against Finland was also unconvincing, with FC Barcelona midfielder Graham Hansen scoring a late winner in another game that saw them outplayed by their opponents.<\/p>\n<p>With two of their four goals being scored by their opposition, fortune favoured the Norwegians as they rose to the top of the table.<\/p>\n<p>While their start was sluggish, their 4-3 victory over Iceland to secure qualification was a far better example of their quality, albeit chaotic in the final ten minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Norway overturned an early goal and surged to a 4-1 lead with two goals on either side of the break, but a crazy ten-minute spell after the 80th minute saw them concede twice and get a red card.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Group A \u2705<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WEURO2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#WEURO2025<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/k7UV06CVfS\">pic.twitter.com\/k7UV06CVfS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; UEFA Women&#39;s EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WEURO2025\/status\/1943435069827191167?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Italy, on the other hand, showed promise but only secured progression by the skin of their teeth.<\/p>\n<p>A 1-0 win over Belgium presented a strong start, with the Azzurri dominating the Red Devils in a tightly contested clash.<\/p>\n<p>But reality struck in the next game when, despite completely dominating Portugal for almost eighty minutes, they conceded a late equaliser and were forced to accept a 1-1 draw. The Italians were then taught a lesson by World Champions Spain, who bested them 3-1 in Bern.<\/p>\n<p>Given the status of their opponent, they can take positives from a competitive performance that saw them briefly lead in the first half.<\/p>\n<p>So, who will progress when these two sides meet?<\/p>\n<p>My prediction is that Norway\u2019s luck runs out, and Italy\u2019s persistence pays off in a slender win in Carouge.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Building up to the quarters \ud83c\udfd7\ufe0f\ud83d\udc77\u200d\u2640\ufe0f<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NORITA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NORITA<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WEURO2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#WEURO2025<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Azzurre?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Azzurre<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/LeAzzurreSiamoNoi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#LeAzzurreSiamoNoi<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MWcT0wIXHt\">pic.twitter.com\/MWcT0wIXHt<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Italy \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f (@Azzurri_En) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Azzurri_En\/status\/1944729339506958701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 14, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>In arguably the most exciting match-up in the quarter-finals, Sweden will face the current European Champions, England, in a thrilling showdown in Zurich.<\/p>\n<p>Sweden cruised through Group D with a commanding 1-0 victory over Denmark, before obliterating Poland in a 3-0 win that still felt like an understatement.<\/p>\n<p>They faced Germany in their first major test, passing with flying colours courtest of a 4-1 win that was aided by a first-half red card for DFB-Frauen.<\/p>\n<p>England started their title defence with a sobering 2-1 defeat against France in Group D.<\/p>\n<p>A late Keira Walsh goal flattered them in what was a subpar start in the tournament\u2019s Group of Death.<\/p>\n<p>Any doubt was efficiently quashed with a powerful 4-0 victory over the Netherlands, and the Lionesses secured second place with an emphatic 6-1 win over the Welsh.<\/p>\n<p>A firm statement that their opening day defeat was long behind them.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to predict a winner between these two European powerhouses, but we think Sweden will edge the title-holders in a high-scoring battle at Stadion Letzigrund.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Great performance from the girls to top the group and take us into the quarter finals. Thanks for the amazing support in the group stage \ud83e\udef6\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\udc99\ud83d\udc9b <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZryAtCMldx\">pic.twitter.com\/ZryAtCMldx<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Magdalena Eriksson (@MagdaEricsson) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MagdaEricsson\/status\/1944340651266756814?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Now onto France vs Germany. A blockbuster in any meeting.<\/p>\n<p>France made an early statement with their 2-1 triumph over England.<\/p>\n<p>But they didn\u2019t stop there, smashing the Welsh in a thorough 4-1 result in St. Gallen.<\/p>\n<p>Facing the Netherlands in a must-win game for the Dutch, Les Bleus came out swinging after the break, fighting from behind in a stunning 5-2 victory!<\/p>\n<p>Total supremacy to top the toughest group with a perfect record.<\/p>\n<p>For Germany, progression was secured after two games.<\/p>\n<p>The record-champions overcame Poland with a positive 2-0 performance before battling from behind to defeat Denmark 2-1.<\/p>\n<p>A superior display not quite reflected in the scoreline.<\/p>\n<p>While their 4-1 defeat to Sweden may raise questions, it\u2019s important to note that they were only trailing 2-1 before a red card and subsequent penalty in the first half created an uncomfortable battlefield that they ultimately fell on.<\/p>\n<p>France has won eleven consecutive games, while Germany has lost only once in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Their last four meetings have ended with two wins apiece, and each game has been decided by a one-goal margin.<\/p>\n<p>Given France\u2019s momentum and their demonstrated ability to get the job done over top sides in this tournament (and Germany\u2019s lack thereof), France will have the quality to progress in Basel.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"fr\" dir=\"ltr\">Bonne f\u00eate nationale \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7\ud83c\udf89 <br \/>Les Bleues \ud83d\udc99 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FiersdetreBleues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FiersdetreBleues<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WEURO2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#WEURO2025<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hLfFBOO3Aa\">pic.twitter.com\/hLfFBOO3Aa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Equipe de France F\u00e9minine (@equipedefranceF) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/equipedefranceF\/status\/1944660974968987835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 14, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>When Spain meets Switzerland, they will walk onto the pitch as favourites.<\/p>\n<p>A 5-0 decimation of Portugal, followed by a 6-2 mauling of Belgium, and proceeded by a straightforward 3-1 win over Italy.<\/p>\n<p>They boast the most goals scored in the tournament, and the best defensive record behind Sweden.<\/p>\n<p>Switzerland, who have fought bravely as tournament hosts, can take confidence in their hard-fought 2-1 defeat against Norway &#8211; a game they greatly dominated.<\/p>\n<p>Their 2-0 win over Iceland was a better reflection of their potential, and their last-gasp equaliser over Finland earned progression in another game that they greatly controlled.<\/p>\n<p>Their first major challenge will be Spain, and it will likely be their last as La Furia Roja should have more than enough resources to overcome the hosts.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8 Silky Spain \ud83e\udd24<\/p>\n<p>Alexia Putellas \ud83e\udd1d Athenea <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WEURO2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#WEURO2025<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nBeG13772h\">pic.twitter.com\/nBeG13772h<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; UEFA Women&#39;s EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WEURO2025\/status\/1943814873374248982?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 11, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>If we were to see a semi-final of Sweden vs Italy and Spain vs France, we\u2019d put our money on a Sweden vs Spain Final.<\/p>\n<p>But, at the end of the day, football doesn\u2019t follow a straightforward script. It all comes down to who steps up on the day, and with Europe\u2019s finest competing for a place in the semi-finals, there are no guarantees.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83e\udd29 461,582 fans made history with us in the highest attended Women\u2019s EURO group stage EVER. <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s keep breaking records in the knockouts! \u26bd\ud83d\udc4a <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WEURO2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#WEURO2025<\/a> || <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SummitOfEmotions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#SummitOfEmotions<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/RmkDTdpWZk\">pic.twitter.com\/RmkDTdpWZk<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; UEFA Women&#39;s EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WEURO2025\/status\/1944736979985567839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 14, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>From heavyweights &amp; World Champions to underdogs and proud hosts, eight teams are fighting for glory, and those eight teams won\u2019t go down without a fight.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After an eventful three rounds of group stage matches in the 2025 Women\u2019s Euros, the road to glory becomes clearer as our last eight prepare to go head to head in the quarter-finals. Norway plays Italy, Sweden meets England, Spain takes on Switzerland, and France faces Germany. Two thrilling sides of the bracket unfold, and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":75571,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9440,8,598,344],"tags":[],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-75570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football-unpopular-opinions","category-soccer","category-special-interest","category-sports"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":null,"md_tip_date_end":null,"md_market_url":"","tip_date":"16\/07\/2025","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75570","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/52"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75570"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75570\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75571"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75570"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=75570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}