England in Euro 2025 Group of Death
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
IN THIS WEEK’S ROUND-UP...
Picks from the pitch: Our top five WSL moments of the week
Latest headlines: Euro prize pot increases 156%
Fave finds: Beth England x Chicken
Kit drop: Arsenal x Adidas bomber jacket
What we’re watching: No football, no problem
Jobs: New opportunities in football
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⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH
Champions League group stage complete
This week was all about the Champions League. Sure, we knew which teams were going through but there was a little last-minute drama to see who’d finish first and second ahead of the quarter-final draw on 7 February.
Group winners will be drawn against the runners-up from another group. Arsenal’s win over Bayern meant they narrowly avoided facing Barcelona, Chelsea and Lyon in the draw.
HOME NATION RESULTS:
FC Twente 3-0 Celtic [highlights]
Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea [highlights]
Barcelona 3-0 Manchester City [highlights]
Arsenal 3-2 Bayern Munich [highlights]
QUARTER-FINALISTS:
Group A: Lyon, Wolfsburg
Group B: Chelsea, Real Madrid
Group C: Arsenal, Bayern München
Group D: Barcelona (Current Champs), Manchester City
🚨ICYMI
Top Headlines
📺 Netflix is going big on women’s football. In a first for a streaming service, it’s secured exclusive US broadcast rights to both the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups. It’s planning documentary programming in the run-up to the tournament, featuring players and the stories behind their journey to the top.
🥪 Subway is the new sponsor of the Women’s League Cup (previously known as the Conti Cup). They’ve signed a multi-year deal thought to be worth around £1million. The name change to the Subway Women’s League Cup comes just in time for the quarter-finals in early 2025.
🤑 UEFA has increased the EURO 2025 prize pot to €41m, a 156% increase from the 2022 tournament. The winners could take home €5.1m, and each federation €1.8m for qualifying (30-40% of which must go to players). For context in 2017, the prize money was €8m, and €16m in 2022 so the increase is significant.
👋 Becky Sauerbrunn has announced her retirement from professional football. At 39 years old she made over 200 appearances in the NWSL and 216 for the USWNT which she captained 42 times.
💰 The NWSL is in negotiations for the next expansion franchise with a group from Denver, the fee is understood to be between $105-120 million. Our number one question, and honestly the only one that matters, is whether their branding agency can come up with a better name than the last franchise, Bos Nation.
📚 WHAT WE’RE READING
Top Links
🏆 UEFA EURO 2025
UEFA Women’s EURO 2025: Group draw
The groups have been drawn and England has landed Group D, alongside France, Wales and the Netherlands. The remaining tickets from the current release are available on UEFA and the official platform Ticket Corner. A further release is planned for February.
👀 FAVE FINDS
Beth England: The hen and her chicks
We didn’t know we needed to see Beth England dressed as a chicken on her hen do. Well, we have now, and it got even better when the breakdancing started…
✍️ INSIDE TRACK
Casparij extends City contract
Kerstin Casparij has extended her contract with Manchester City until 2027. Her announcement video was an immediate classic, holding space for the lyrics of defying gravity mid-signature.
French International striker Kelly Gago has signed for Everton from FC Nantes for an undisclosed fee.
Lynn Williams is headed to Seattle Reign FC after two seasons with NJ/NY Gotham FC. The 31-year-old forward is part of a deal that sees Williams and goalkeeper Cassie Miller traded with an international roster spot and $70k in allocation money in return.
RUMOURS:
Everton is interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Kathrine Kühl. Apparently, Arsenal is open to a loan or long-term deal.
Nike Has the Perfect Gift for Everyone on Your List
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Discover performance gear that takes athletes to the next level or iconic sneakers that make any outfit pop. Keep them cozy with fleece apparel that brings warmth and comfort to their everyday style.
Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be stressful. With curated collections, seamless online browsing, and inspiration for every budget, Nike makes it effortless.
Celebrate the season with Nike and give the gift of sport to your loved ones.
👟 KIT DROP
Ball tech arrives for Euro 2025
Hot off the Euro 2025 group draw, Adidas has launched Konektis, the tournament match ball. The ball features connected ball technology for the first time, which gives officials more information about ball position and movement, allowing them to make penalty, handball and off-side decisions much faster. The official match ball is available here, or grab the standard version here
Lia Wälti, Arsenal midfielder and national team captain
Football’s bomber jacket game is heating up. First, we had Arsenal, and now Real Madrid is getting involved. Who does it better? Adidas x Arsenal VRCT collection. Adidas x Real Madrid Chinese New Year collection (inspired by the year of the snake).
🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA
Half-season tickets, now available
Why watch at home when you can support your club in real life? A mix of WSL and Championship clubs are releasing half-season tickets, a perfect last-minute pressie for those who’ve been too busy tracking down WSL Panini Stickers to do the Christmas shopping. Enjoy the last six home games of the 2024/25 season with your team of choice…
Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up.
🛋️ ACL WATCH + INJURY UPDATES
Greenwood has surgery
Alex Greenwood’s injury, sustained against St. Polten in the Champions League, has been confirmed as an MCL tear. It’s arguably a better outcome than the dreaded ACL, but either way, it’s a lengthy stint on the sidelines and puts Gareth Taylors injury-hit City under more pressure coming into the new year.
Greenwood has had surgery and although no timeline has been given, we’re expecting at least three months out, although depending on how severe the tear is, it could be up to 12. It could pose a problem for the Lionesses with Euro 2025 on the horizon.
📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST
What We’re Watching
The women’s football winter break is here and however much you love a cheesy Christmas movie, there’s only so much festive mush you can take. Here are our top seven football shows to get you through the festive period:
FOR THE TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY LOVERS:
It's All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football | 2024 · 15 · Documentary
Watch on Netflix
FOR THE HOPES AND DREAMERS:
Karen Carney: The State Of It | 2024 · Documentary
Watch on ITV
FOR THE SCANDAL LOVERS:
Untold: Hope Solo vs. U.S. Soccer | 2024 · 15 · Documentary
Watch on Netflix
FOR THE HISTORY LOVERS:
Copa '71: The Lost Lionesses - Storyville | 2024 · Documentary
Watch on BBC
FOR THE JEN BEATTIE LOVERS:
Icons of football: Jen Beattie | 2024 · Documentary
Watch on BBC
New Year Football:
Women’s FA Cup: 11-12 January - Fixtures
WSL: 17-19 January - Fixtures
Subway Women’s League Cup: 22 January - Quarter Final Fixtures
Women’s Champions League: The quarter-final and semi-final draw will be held on Friday 7 February
📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS
More Women Working in Football
Content Operations Manager - Production (1yr FTC) | The FA | Apply by 2 January
Football Operations Coordinator (Women's Professional League Limited) | The FA | Apply by 10 January
Positional Analyst - Women’s First Team (Consultant) | Arsenal | Apply by 8 Jan
Strength and Conditioning Coach - Women’s team | Charlton Athletic | apply now
Data Engineer (Junior or Mid) | Football Radar | Apply now
How are we doing? |
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