Can the Lionesses stay cool, both literally and figuratively?
England play France in their European Championship opener (Nick Potts/PA)open image in gallery
England play France in their European Championship opener (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)
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England kick off their European title defence against 2022 semi-finalists France on Saturday in Zurich.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the big talking points ahead of the Lionesses’ tournament opener.
Staying cool
Can the Lionesses stay cool, both literally and figuratively?
This is the first time England have entered a major tournament as the defending champions after securing the European title on home soil. Sarina Wiegman’s much-changed side enter this tournament in Switzerland with huge expectations to bring the trophy home again.
The worst of the heat wave in Zurich – where it hit 34 degrees on Wednesday – has subsided, but the mercury is still set to hover around 26 degrees even at the 9pm local (8pm UK) kick-off.
Lauren James watch
Chelsea forward Lauren James marked her return from three months out of action with an assist in England’s 7-0 send-off victory over Jamaica in Leicester after coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute.
When she is fit, the 23-year-old, who scored three goals and added the same number of assists at the 2023 World Cup, is one of the most potent weapons in Wiegman’s arsenal, and successfully managing her return – as well as how best to employ her – could be key to England’s success.
No room for error
Group D is arguably the tournament’s Group of Death, with 10th-ranked side France and 2017 champions the Netherlands one place below them, as well as newcomers Wales keen to prove they will not be satisfied with a participation ribbon.
Unlike the World Cup, when England got off to an uneven start in a group comprised of much lower-ranked opposition in China and Haiti, there will be little margin for error here, if any.
Who will score England’s first goal?
Arsenal forward Beth Mead started every game of England’s 2022 triumph, and was that Championship’s Golden Boot winner as well as the player of the tournament.
But much has changed since, including the ascendance of her Arsenal team-mate and this season’s Women’s Super League Golden Boot winner Alessia Russo, who will be itching to assert herself early at Euro 2025.
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Where’s Wendie?
Former France captain Wendie Renard’s omission from Laurent Bonadei’s side came as a shock to many – including former Lyon team-mate and England defender Lucy Bronze – and it now remains to be seen whether or not that decision was correct.
Centre-back Renard, 34, has played 168 times for France, scoring 39 goals, and was left out alongside France’s top goalscorer Eugenie le Sommer, 36. While both have had tremendous success with Lyon, France’s best result at the Euros was in 2022, when they reached the semi-finals.