England go in search of the double
Holders of the title after a successful Euros on home soil, the Lionesses have failed to repeat the feat since. They did reach the World Cup final the following summer, but they have been struggling ever since.
They failed to qualify for the Final Four of the Nations League and, therefore, also failed to qualify for the last Olympic Games, where the team should have competed under the United Kingdom banner.
The impetus given to English women's football by victory at the UEFA European Championship has enabled England to see new talents emerge, such as Hannah Hampton and, more recently, Michelle Agyemang.
But doubts have also been raised by some surprising results in the Nations League: a 1-1 draw with Portugal, a 3-2 defeat 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 have 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 Championship
Spain: 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 got rid of their former coach Jorge Vilda after Luis Rubiales sexually assaulted Jenni Hermoso.
However, La Roja inexplicably fell to Brazil in the semi-finals of the Olympic Games, after beating Colombia on penalties in the previous round. The first doubts have arisen about Spain's playing style, which has not necessarily improved 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 have relaunched. They have only suffered one defeat 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-form Claudia Pina, scorer of four goals and two assists in her last five games for Spain.
Germany, a rejuvenated team looking for guarantees
Christian Wuck's side are unbeaten in the Nations League, with five wins and just one draw against the Netherlands (2-2). But they are also coming off the back of an early elimination in the group phase at the 2023 World Cup, a third-place finish at the Olympic Games and a defeat in the final of the last UEFA European Championship.
Horst Hrubesch took over from Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who revealed after the failed 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 defeat 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 back 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 have earned 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 ended in elimination at the group stage.
Serious outsiders
While 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 have assumed the status of 'favourites'.
But without having won yet, France can only rest on a run of eight victories. Sweden will also have 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 have everything to win back at this Euros: after winning EURO 2017, the Oranje have 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 form at the last minute for this Euro. Stay tuned...