That's a wrap of the latest international break, so here is a wrap-up from international friendlies to the UEFA Nations League. While most of the headlines came from off the pitch, the EUROs team announced certain players who would have been on that flight two weeks ago aren’t. So, let's delve in…
🏴England
England needs an introduction about the headlines they have hit this June international ahead of the EUROS. We have two immediate retirements and one withdrawal later, and we have a 23-player squad.Lauren James is back after a Hamstring injury ruined her end to the domestic triple for the club, but now she can make an impact at her second manager tournament. Lucy Bronzes hits seven major tournaments for the country in her senior career. At the same time, Jess Park, Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse, Maya Le Tissier, Grace Clinton, Aggie Beever-Jones and Michell Agyemang make their senior tournament debut. But we say goodbye to Mary Earps and Fran Kirby, instrumental players in the Euros 2022 win, and for the moment, see you soon to Millie Bright. Oh, and a 5-0 victory over Portugal saw the second lioness hattrick at Wembley from Miss Beever-Jones, but the success came with a crushing defeat after going 1-0 to Spain to Barcelona through an epic goal by Alessia Russo they lost 2-1 and knocked out of the UEFA Nations League by the current holders.
🇺🇸 United States
The USWNT showcased strong form with a 3–0 victory over China and a 4–0 win against Jamaica. These performances highlighted the team's progress under coach Emma Hayes, with standout contributions from goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
🇨🇦 Canada
Canada secured a 3–1 win over Haiti in Montreal, continuing their preparations for upcoming competitions.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
The Football Ferns edged Venezuela 2–1 in a friendly held in Algeciras, Spain, as part of their build-up to future tournaments.
🇳🇬 Nigeria
Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2–0 in a friendly match, demonstrating their readiness for forthcoming challenges.
🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland
Ireland is set to face Belgium in a UEFA Women's Nations League promotion-relegation play-off in October. Manager Carla Ward acknowledged the challenge but expressed confidence in her team's capabilities.
🇩🇰 Denmark
Denmark secured a 1–0 win over Wales but suffered a loss to Sweden, leading them to a promotion-relegation play-off to maintain their League A status.
🇫🇷France
French international Kenza Dali expressed surprise at her exclusion from the Euro 2025 squad alongside veterans Wendie Renard and Eugénie Le Sommer. Dali plans to share her perspective after the tournament, citing personal challenges and a move to the NWSL as factors in her recent experiences.
🇩🇪 Germany
Germany's captain Giulia Gwinn addressed ongoing online harassment, including unsolicited explicit messages. Despite declining a Playboy offer in 2023, she remains focused on her football career and is set to lead Germany in Euro 2025.
🇸🇪 Sweden
Swedish forward Fridolina Rolfö suffered an injury during a Nations League match. Early assessments indicate no fractures, offering hope for her recovery ahead of the upcoming Euros.
🇪🇸 Spain
Spain's Teresa Abelleira is among the notable players dealing with injuries ahead of Euro 2025. Spain came from one goal behind to beat England 2-1 in Barcelona and the stadium's Esplonia for the first time playing in the city. They are on the hunt to maintain their Nations League title after a disheartening experience at the Paris Olympics and also a European trophy to add with the amazing super-sub of Claudia Pina, who made an impact within minutes of coming off for Spain against England, giving them the win and helping them win their Nations League group to head into the Quarter-finals.
🏴Wales
Wales Jess Fishlock, a legend for the Welsh, came on as a sub in a 4-0 defeat against Italy. She says Italian goalkeeper Francesca Durante was off her line. From approximately 35 yards out, Fishlock executes a precise lob that goes over the keeper's head and strikes the underside of the crossbar. While they were defeated in the UEFA Nations League group, only taking two points overall, it was an epic goal to soften the blow. But they keep their heads high as they enter their first major tournament this summer.
🏴Scotland.
The Scots had travel issues due to safety concerns. They had to leave on the day of their meeting with the Netherlands in Holland after they could not find an alternative private charter plane to fly them on Monday, the day before the match.
🇫🇮Finland
The errors off the pitch keep on coming. Defender Nanne Ruuskanen wasn’t included in the Finnish Nations League match against Serbia after manager Outi Saarinen accidentally called up a previous Finnish player with the same last name who hasn’t represented her country for twenty years.
The 51-year-old called Stina Ruuskanen was available to play according to the UEFA’s system and chosen over Nanne Ruuskanen the player intended.
The manager said “I am very sorry for the mistake”
she said in a football association statement which explained what had happened.
Nanne Ruuskanen was unable to play any part in the 1-1 draw on June 3rd as they could not change the UEFA system.
Finland’s FA added: “The reason is an error when entering the lineup into the UEFA system.
“Team manager Outi Saarinen mistakenly entered a former player with the same last name, still available in the UEFA system, in place of Nanne Ruuskanen.”
Now, with the June international break over, the next stop is Switzerland for the women's EUROs.
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