Host Nation Rocked as Finland and Norway Seize Control in Group A

Finland’s and Norway’s, Euro hopes are kept alive as they secure the first three points available during the opening matches of the 2025 Women’s Euro tournament.

Iceland vs Finland:

Iceland’s XI: Runarsdottir, Gudrun Arnardottir, Viggosdottir, Sigurdarottir, Gudny Arnardottir, Johannsdottir, Vihjalmsdottir, Antonsdottir, Eiriksottir, Jessen, Jonsdottir.

Manager: Thorsteinn Halldorsson

Finland’s XI: Koivunen, Nystrom, Oling, Koivisto, Tynnila, Kosola, O Siren, Kuikka, Franssi, Sallstrom, Summanen.

Manager: Marko Saloranta

Finland hold off Nordic rivals, Iceland, from securing any points in the opening game of the Women’s Euro Tournament, pushing their own dreams of advancing from the group stage for the first time since 2009 into sight.

Both teams, from kick-off, provided a high press, testing each other’s defence and exploiting  the gaps in the other’s defence, as both teams sought out to find an early opportunity to find the back of the net.

However this was soon disrupted as Emma Koivisto sent a perfectly timed tackle into the six-yard box, preventing what looked like an inevitable goal, for Iceland, from reaching the back of the net.

Despite chances from both teams, the score remained level at half-time.

However, injury concerns for Iceland’s Captain, Glódís Viggósdóttir, remained and was subbed off ahead of the second half, forcing the Iceland defence to reshuffle and become disturbed.

Finland’s domination, of the second half, was interrupted in the 56th minute following a long throw in from Sveindís Jónsdóttir.

However despite the accuracy in throw, a lack of control in the six-yard box allowed Finland to regain possession and drive the ball away from their own half.

Iceland’s chaos, didn’t end in the six-yard box as the 58th minute saw Hildur Antonsdóttir receive a second yellow card, putting her team down to ten players.

Finland, using their one player advantage to their advantage, went on to gain possession and keep control of the game.

However Iceland soon regained composure and almost found themselves ahead as a shot from Arnardóttir went slightly wide.

In the 70th minute, Katariina Kosola went on to find the back of the net, not only putting her team ahead but also securing the opening goal of the tournament.

Despite a last push, Iceland failed to find the back of the net, allowing Finland to take all three points into the next match day, marking Finland’s first Euro win since 2009.

Switzerland vs Norway

Switzerland’s XI: Peng, Beney, Calligaris, Stierli, Maritz, Riesen, Ivelj, Walti, Valotto, Reuteler, Xhemaili

Manager: Pia Sundhage

Norway’s XI: Fiskerstrand, Bjelde, Mjelde, Hansen, Bratberg Lund, Boe Risa, Graham Hansen, Engen, Maanum, Hegerberg, Reiten

Manager: Gemma Grainger

Despite an early lead, Switzerland fail to secure three points during their opening match of their home Euros against Norway.

Early on from kick-off, Switzerland made their mark on home ground, holding early domination in front of a euphoric home crowd; while Norway, leave gaps within their defence allowing for the Swiss forwards to easily weave through and create chances.

The domination up the pitch, for Switzerland, was reinforced by Livia Peng’s early saves which ensured her team didn’t concede early on.

The Host nation kept the high press, which inevitably created a chance for Switzerland as Géraldine Reuteler had a shot on goal, which made contact with the post instead of the back of the net.

However, a goal was quick to follow as in the 27th minute the Swiss struck as Riesen slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.

As half-time came, Switzerland held a deserving lead, while many fans were led to question why the Norwegian side wasn’t gelling.

In the 54th minute, Captain Ada Hegerberg scored her 50th goal and also Norway’s first goal of the tournament after receiving a well delivered corner kick from Vilde Bøe Risa.

Despite Switzerland quickly trying to regain the lead, a mistake at the back from Julia Stierli leads to an own goal, forcing the hosts behind.

Switzerland’s continued attempts to gain control once more, didn’t go unnoticed by the Norweigans, as all attempts on goal land safely in the arms of Cecilie Fiskerstrand.

With tensions running high and both teams attempting to gain the three points, a hand ball from Reuteler gave Norway a penalty.

Despite, Hegerberg’s experience the captain slots it wide of the target, failing to put her team further ahead.

Fueled by Norway’s penalty attempt, Switzerland pressed high but their run was quickly stopped as contact was made in the penalty area, raising questions to whether Switzerland are owned a penalty themselves, barely seconds after the last was taken.

However, the decision was quickly ruled out due to Switzerland’s Alayah Pilgrim being in an offside position.

A late, last minute, chance came for Switzerland, but the control in the Noway defence forced the Swiss side to settle for a corner.

Despite Switzerland’s late efforts to gain another goal, they left their home Euro opening game pointless.

What does this mean for Group A’s Table?:

After both Finland and Norway secured all three points, both teams sit comfortably at the top of the group both having a goal difference of one.

Similarly, after both Iceland and Switzerland failed to secure any points during their opening matches, they both sit bottom of Group A.

What’s Next for Group A?:

Finland’s next game is set to be played against Norway at Stade de Tourbillon on Sunday July 6th, at 17:00 BST.

Iceland and Switzerland are then set to face, on the same day, at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern for a  20:00 BST kick-off.

Who’s the HerGameHerStory Player of the Group?:

After early domination, control of the game and the opening goal of the tournament our HerGameHerStory Player of the Group is Katariina Kosola.