UEFA Women’s EURO 2025: How Spain became tournament favourites, on the cusp of an international clean sweep

Spain are, factually, the best women’s football side in Europe.

In the latest FIFA World Rankings, they are second only to the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT).

Such acclaim on the international stage is a result of their emphatic run of form that saw them win the 2023 World Cup, followed swiftly by the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League in 2024.

Home to some of the best players in the world, including two-time Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, it’s no wonder they have become a dominant force.

The hunger and desire to be better, to win more, is what keeps them at the top of their game.

As far as major silverware goes, bar an Olympic gold, the European Championships is the one they are yet to add to their growing list of accolades.

“I think [EURO 2025] will be unique,” professes Putellas.

“It’s the trophy we’re missing, and we feel it could be now, but we’re facing very good teams, and we know it’s a hard, hard journey.”

On the eve of Spain’s curtain raiser against Portugal, Olympics.com looks at why the Spaniards have had such a triumphant edge at the top.

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