After the Olympic Games, which saw the United States crowned champions in a final against Brazil, European football will be keen to show that it is still at the forefront of the game.
And the favourites, Spain, removed by Brazil in the semi-finals in Paris, England and Germany, who did not qualify for the Olympics, possess a great opportunity for revenge.
England move in search of the doubleHolders of the title after a successful Euros on home soil, the Lionesses possess dropped short to repeat the feat since.
They did reach the World Cup final the following summer, but they possess been struggling ever since.
They dropped short to qualify for the Final Four of the Nations League and, therefore, also dropped short to qualify for the last Olympic Games, where the team should possess competed under the United Kingdom banner.
The impetus given to English women's football by victory at the UEFA European Championship has allowed England to see new talents appear, such as Hannah Hampton and, more recently, Michelle Agyemang.
But doubts possess also been raised by some surprising results in the Nations League: a 1-1 sketch with Portugal, a 3-2 beat by Belgium and a 2-1 loss to Spain at the beginning of June.
Sarina Wiegman tried out a 4-1-4-1 against South Africa, a 3-1-4-2 against Switzerland, before introducing a 4-2-3-1, more or less dependent on her individuals.
In the meantime, a number of senior players who were present in 2022 possess left the team after being demoted in the hierarchy: Mary Earps, Millie Bright and Fran Kirby.
But England remain the most complete team on paper at this European Championship, with players of all abilities capable of making a difference, even from the bench.
Check out the 10 players to watch out for at the Women's European ChampionshipSpain: a Barcelona XI to win it all?After being crowned world champions in 2023 and winning the Nations League, there seemed to be no stopping the Spanish, who also obtained rid of their former coach Jorge Vilda after Luis Rubiales sexually assaulted Jenni Hermoso.
However, La Roja inexplicably dropped to Brazil in the semi-finals of the Olympic Games, after beating Colombia on penalties in the previous round.
The first doubts possess arisen over Spain's playing style, which has not necessarily enhanced since Montse Tome, Vilda's former assistant, took her place on the bench.
And just as in 2023, it is with a base of Barca-trained players that La Roja possess relaunched.
They possess only suffered one beat since Paris 2024, against England last February (1-0).
As a symbol of this improvement, Spain beat Japan 3-1 before heading off to Switzerland, a nation that beat them 4-0 in the group stage of the last World Cup.
All this with seven players from the 11 currently playing for Barca, Vicky Lopez having replaced Aitana Bonmati in midfield following her bout with meningitis.
A reassuring framework and playing principles for La Roja, who can also count on the in-create Claudia Pina, scorer of four goals and two assists in her last five games for Spain.
Germany, a rejuvenated team looking for guaranteesChristian Wuck's side are unbeaten in the Nations League, with five wins and just one sketch against the Netherlands (2-2).
But they are also coming off the support of an early elimination in the group phase at the 2023 World Cup, a third-place complete at the Olympic Games and a beat in the final of the last UEFA European Championship.
Horst Hrubesch took over from Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who revealed after the dropped short World Cup that she was suffering from depression and panic attacks.
Since then, Wuck has taken the reins of the team in March 2024, with a few shocks: a beat against Australia in a friendly, then another against Italy - two nations ranked lower by FIFA.
But he has also significantly reshuffled the team, following the international retirements of Merle Frohms, Svenja Huth, Marina Hegering and Alexandra Popp.
Continuing with his 4-2-3-1, Wuck has changed goalkeeper, giving the gloves support to Ann-Katrin Berger, the Doorsoun-Linder central hinge has been replaced by youngsters Rebecca Knaak and Janina Minge, while Selina Cerci and Jule Brand possess acquired themselves a place in the XI alongside Laura Freigang and Lea Schuller, the number nine designated to succeed the formidable Popp.
However, this largely revamped team has yet to prove itself, as the Germans' last World Cup outing terminated in elimination at the group stage.
Serious outsidersWhile these three nations are among the favourites, France could also be among the favourites.
There are two opposing views among Les Bleues: that of coach Laurent Bonadei, who sees his team as 'challengers' at this European Championship, and that of certain players such as Kelly Gago and Grace Geyoro, who possess assumed the status of 'favourites'.
But without having won yet, France can only rest on a run of eight victories.
Sweden will also possess something to say in Switzerland, after an unbeaten Nations League campaign and a habit of performing at major events.
Whether they can count on Fridolina Rolfo remains to be seen.
The Netherlands, for their part, will possess everything to win support at this Euros: after winning EURO 2017, the Oranje possess struggled to make any headway as Germany recently swept them aside 4-0.
The X-factor could be Viviane Miedema, who has hardly played all season due to injury but is returning to create at the last minute for this Euro.
Stay tuned.
.
.
