euros preview: group d

The EUROS are nearly here so here’s a quick preview of every group. I’ll start each with a brief group overview before doing some team-by-team synopsis. We all know the big name talents, but one of the most fun parts of international tournaments are non/not yet- star talents causing a bit of ruckus. So I’m also attempting to pick out a player from every team to be excited about when they get on the pitch.

group d overview

England | France | Netherlands | Wales

Pour some out for Wales y’all. They ain’t do nothin but use lots of consonants and have cool names like Ffion, so I’m not sure why the Lord decided they should be punished in this way.

However, a couple other teams are entering the EUROS with some weird vibes. Mary Earps suddenly retired from international play, seemingly upon learning that Hannah Hampton would be Wiegman’s chosen starter. Then Fran Kirby also retired from the national team and Millie Bright removed herself from selection for the EUROS squad. Players in camp will either galvanize, or be fractured due to loyalties to an important trio for the England team. Knowing when to move on and refresh a national team is hard, but it’s supposed to be done a bit smoother than this.

However, England are still wildly talented and used their home EUROS win in 2022 as a springboard to the World Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Spain. Netherlands and France are on their own journeys of trying to remain competitive while refreshing their squads. This group will tell us a lot about how each project is going (for every team but Wales, mae'n ddrwg iawn gen i).

• FIFA Rank: #5

• Latest results

  • England 7-0 Jamaica

  • Spain 2-1 England

  • England 6-0 Portugal

expectations

England appear to be cookin recently, but the start of their Nations League campaign featured a 1-1 draw with Portugal in February and a 3-2 loss to Belgium in April. The only team to have beaten them since is Spain, and well that’s just fine.

What remains a question mark is how much players still trust Sarina Wiegman. Results help, but trust is tested in major tournaments and there’s been a lot of weird around the team. If Wiegman has done a good job of re-centering everyone, they’ll be fine and could make their way to yet another final.

But if not, questions will be asked (and asked loudly) about decisions that led to the self-yeeting of several once important players. We’ll have an idea which path England are headed down within the first two matchdays of the group, when they face France then Netherlands.

player to watch

Grace Clinton
Midfielder
Manchester United

England’s young midfielders are scary, and this could be the tournament in which we start seeing less Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone, and more Jess Park and Grace Clinton.

Marc Skinner (lol) used Clinton in several midfield roles, but she seemed to shine the most in attacking midfield or as an attack-minded box-to-box player, since she does love a bit of a scrap. That will likely create an issue for Wiegman, especially if Georgia Stanway or Keira Walsh pick up an injury. Barring that, Jess Park and Grace Clinton will be scrapping with Ella Toone for playmaking minutes.

While Park is an energizer bunny type of player, Clinton has a stoic presence and plenty of athleticism as well. Clinton also led the WSL in completed throughballs, and led 3rd place Manchester United in key passes (passes leading directly to a shot).

• FIFA Rank: #10

• Latest results

  • France 3-2 Brazil

  • France 5-0 Belgium

  • Iceland 0-2 France

expectations

France had their own mini-drama when it came to team selection for the EUROS. Perennial defensive presence Wendie Renard was left at home by new head coach Laurent Bonadei. He also didn’t call up Eugenie Le Sommer or Kenza Dali, the latter of which has been in great form and cuttin up in the NWSL. It also seems that there is more to the story than we currently know.

Apart from that, France still have a strong squad. Though looking at the defense, there are four players 21 or under and just a couple veteran names—Griedge Mbock Bathy and Elise De Almeida. I’m no coach, but that doesn’t read to me like a defensive unit with no room for Wendie Renard.

Anyway, things get a lot more veteran-heavy in midfield, which might help make things more predictable for their young defense. France’s attack is where they truly shine though, and where they have their most unique talents and biggest advantage.

France face England first, which will likely be their toughest test of the group. But they have Wales after, which could help them either bounce back or capitalize on the momentum of a big win.

player to watch

Oriane Jean-François
Midfielder
Chelsea

There was a moment, even after Chelsea brought in Keira Walsh, in which they needed a damn adult in midfield. Someone to keep things calm, but scrap when necessary. Walsh is good at distribution and being a calm presence, but not so much when things get scrappy. That opened the door for 23-year-old Oriane Jean-François to become that adult.

Jean-François didn’t start a league match until early March, then started six times through the end of the season. France have a lot of players who want to go forward and do hoodrat stuff with their friends, but need a base to hold up as they do. A deeper midfield duo of Jean-François and Grace Geyoro could be exactly what France need.

• FIFA Rank: #11

• Latest results

  • Netherlands 2-1 Finland

  • Netherlands 1-1 Scotland

  • Germany 4-0 Netherlands

expectations

Netherlands are another squad in the middle of a project with their national team, but I’m liking their approach. They still have a lot of their veteran talents, but that hasn’t stopped them from bringing in a lot of their younger players. If I’m reading their squad makeup accurately, they’ll be in positions to rely on some of that younger talent too.

That can of course go one of two ways, but in terms of keeping an eye on the 2027 World Cup, this experience is important. As for what that will mean for their progress in this tournament will likely hinge on what they’re able to do against France.

Netherlands face Wales first, so as long as they get the dub (and a couple goals for the GD) they can build themselves up to their next matches, first with France, then final match of the group against England.

player to watch

Wieke Kaptein
Midfielder
Chelsea

You’ll have to forgive another bit of Chelsea’ing but it’s for a good reason. Kaptein is the second youngest player in the Dutch squad, and still a teenager until August. This season she found herself starting in Chelsea’s midfield for 8 league games (16 appearances) and 7 UWCL matches (10 appearances).

Kaptein has the capability to thread some incredible passes, but can also get lost or caught out of position in midfield. Group D features some of the strongest midfield units in the competition, so Netherlands will need the good Wieke to show up.

• FIFA Rank: #30

• Latest results

  • Wales 1-4 Italy

  • Denmark 1-0 Wales

  • Sweden 1-1 Wales

expectations

There’s a chance I am underestimating mighty Wales here. They were placed in a Nations League group with Sweden, and twice played them to 1-1 draws. Unfortunately they still finished at the bottom of the group after losing to Italy and Denmark twice each. Ok so maybe I was not underestimating mighty Wales.

Still, it’s worth noting what Wales are up against. This is the first major tournament they’ve qualified for, and have a lot of players who are in second divisions. It’s a cool story that they’re here, and I’m hoping they get their unforgettable tournament moment to savor.

But this group is cruel. England, Netherlands or France wouldn’t be out of place in the eventual semifinals, but one won’t make it out of the group. Margins will likely be tight, so goal difference could become crucial, and every team will look at Wales as not just three points, but a chance to pad goal differential. Cruel world.

player to watch

Ffion Morgan
Forward
Bristol City

An ACL tear early in Ffion’s career derailed her momentum, but since recovering she’s been a mainstay on the national team and has turned into a solid player in the WSL Championship (now WSL 2). Bristol City had a mediocre 24/25 campaign, but Morgan still managed to drop a respectable 6 goals and 4 assists in 18 appearances (14 starts).

There are rumors that Morgan could be headed to a WSL club as soon as this summer, so having a moment or two in the toughest group would be a big boost if a new challenge is on the horizon. Morgan is also dropping some quality ‘day in the life’ content on TikTok. It’s always fun to see a bit of what life is actually like for players at a major tournament. The series might not last too long though, so erm, yeah.