After emphasising their status as favourites for the title with a superb start to the tournament, Spain are the best-represented nation in GOAL's XI

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Secure your Women's Euro 2025 tickets for this summer's international tournamentLocation: SwitzerlandStadiums: Various, including St. Jakob Park, Stadion Wankdorf, Stade de Genève and moreDate: July 2 – 27Final: July 27, St. Jakob Park

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Women's Euro Tickets

Secure your Women's Euro 2025 tickets for this summer's international tournamentLocation: SwitzerlandStadiums: Various, including St. Jakob Park, Stadion Wankdorf, Stade de Genève and moreDate: July 2 – 27Final: July 27, St. Jakob Park

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Women's Euro Tickets

Secure your Women's Euro 2025 tickets for this summer's international tournamentLocation: SwitzerlandStadiums: Various, including St. Jakob Park, Stadion Wankdorf, Stade de Genève and moreDate: July 2 – 27Final: July 27, St. Jakob Park

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This summer's European Championships has certainly started with a bang, with the tournament's group stage featuring plenty of thrills and spills as the Netherlands, the 2017 winners, fell at the first hurdle while hosts Switzerland qualified for the knockout stages for the very first time.

We've had some blockbuster match-ups, between the likes of Germany and Sweden and France and England, and that is only going to continue as the quarter-finals prepare to get underway, with Saturday's clash between France and Germany catching the eye in particular.

But, before we start to look ahead to the knockout portion of this tournament, Euro 2025 has granted us all a few days to reflect on what we've seen already. So, it's time to take a look at the individuals who have shone through the first three matchdays to earn themselves a spot in GOAL's Team of the Group Stage…

Getty ImagesGK: Lisa Lichtfus (Belgium)

So far, Euro 2025 has been a tournament about goals rather than clean sheets, with there not too many truly outstanding goalkeepers or defenders to pick from for this XI. When it comes to the shot-stoppers, Jennifer Falk has been very solid for Sweden and Switzerland's Livia Peng has had some encouraging performances after a big summer move to Chelsea. However, it's Lisa Lichtfus who gets the nod here.

Belgium might have gone home already but Lichtfus still managed to catch the eye, making more saves than any other goalkeeper in the group stage. The 6-2 loss to Spain will have been bitterly disappointing but that was more to do with La Roja's world-class attack rather than reflecting badly on the Red Flames' shot-stopper, who was arguably her team's best player in their two other group stages outings. Throw in that it was the 25-year-old's first major tournament as Belgium's No.1 and it makes her level even more impressive.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Iman Beney (Switzerland)

It's turning into quite a big summer for 18-year-old Iman Beney. Just last month, she completed a monumental transfer to Manchester City and she has shown just why the English giants moved for her with her performances at Euro 2025. Starting at right wing-back for Switzerland, only a year on from the bitter disappointment of missing the Women's World Cup due to a brutal ACL injury, the teenager has been a serious asset in attack in particular.

Switzerland's second most creative player through the group stages, Beney has caught the eye with her energy and confidence and while her defending can still improve, she has certainly contributed on that side of the ball, too, with only one team-mate winning more tackles so far.

Getty ImagesCB: Nathalie Bjorn (Sweden)

No team has looked more assured at the back in this tournament than Sweden and Nathalie Bjorn has been crucial in that. Coming into the Euros off the back of a terrific season with Chelsea, both in terms of her individual displays and the three trophies she helped the Blues win, the 28-year-old has only continued that great form in Switzerland.

Making the performances of Bjorn, and this Sweden defence overall, all the more impressive is the fact that Peter Gerdhardsson has made changes in the back line for every game so far. Indeed, the Chelsea star has had three different centre-back partners to date. Her reliable consistency and growing leadership, as well as her obvious quality, are big reasons why that hasn't proved disruptive.

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Getty ImagesCB: Alice Sombath (France)

France didn't actually keep a clean sheet in the group stage and yet, Alice Sombath has been one of the most impressive central defenders on show at Euro 2025. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Les Bleues in the last few months and, in particular, the centre-back position, thanks to head coach Laurent Bonadei's stunning decision to drop long-time captain Wendie Renard from the squad.

With Griedge Mbock Bathy then suffering an injury on the eve of the tournament, there was serious concern about how the France defence might look, especially with them in 'the group of death'. But Sombath, playing in her first senior major tournament, has stepped up marvellously to alleviate some of those fears. The 21-year-old has looked composed, assured and wise beyond her years.

نجح منتخب كينيا في خطف نقطة من أنياب نظيره الأنجولي، بعد التعادل بهدف لكل فريق، في مباراة جمعت بينهما، اليوم الخميس، في كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين.

والتقى منتخب كينيا نظيره أنجولا، اليوم الخميس، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من المجموعة الأولى لدور المجموعات ببطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين.

طالع| فيديو | التعادل يحسم مباراة السودان والكونغو في كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين

وسجل منتخب أنجولا الهدف الأول مبكرا عن طريق خواكيم باسينسيا، في الدقيقة السابعة من زمن الشوط الأول.

وتعادل المنتخب الكيني سريعا عن طريق لاعبه أوستن أوديامبو، في الدقيقة 12 من زمن الشوط الأول، من ركلة جزاء.

وشهد اللقاء تعرض لاعب كينيا، مارفين أوموندي للطرد في الدقيقة 21 من عمر الشوط الأول، ليكمل منتخب بلاده المباراة بعشرة لاعبين.

ونجح منتخب كينيا، في تصدر مجموعته برصيد 4 نقاط، بينما حصد منتخب أنجولا، أول نقطة ليأتي في المركز الرابع.

وتضم مجموعة كينيا وأنجولا، منتخبات: المغرب والكونغو الديمقراطية وزامبيا.

Former Australia captain Tim Paine has slammed the SCG pitch produced for the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Tasmania as an “absolute disgrace”, after 24 wickets tumbled on the third day with the visitors bowled out for 68, but there remains confidence in the quality of surfaces for upcoming matches including the New Year’s Test against Pakistan.The clatter of wickets came across just 63 overs on Thursday, as batters were confronted with extreme seam movement and uneven bounce. Tasmania fell well short of chasing 143 after the home side had themselves lost 9 for 55 in the second innings.”That wicket was absolute disgrace,” Paine told SEN Tassie. “This a Test venue in the strongest state in the country, and they rolled that up. That’s embarrassing. The ball was seaming sideways, it was going up and down, it wasn’t fit for first-class cricket. That was a disgraceful wicket.”I haven’t spoken to people, but you could see it on the screen it had those cracks where it’s like got grass over it. You don’t even see that in club cricket.”Related

• Hopes high for a competitive SCG Test in Warner's farewell

• Tremain dismantles Tasmania for 68 on SCG pitch that divides opinion

• Carey finds form but Victoria hold on for victory after Agar scare

Paine questioned how such a surface could be produced at a major Test venue, and said that it undermined the Sheffield Shield competition.”What’s going on at Cricket New South Wales or the SCG? That was such a bad wicket to play cricket on,” he said. “Whether we won or lost, whatever, I could have bowled on that and taken wickets. It’s not good enough.”How that can happen at one of the premier Test venues around the world is a disgrace. That was below standard for grade cricket and this is meant to be the premier first-class cricket competition in the world, and that is meant to be one of the iconic Test match venues… and that’s what we are getting served up.”New types of grass are being used at the SCG this season, with the Shield surfaces comprising a different variety than will form the Test pitch against Pakistan in early January. ESPNcricinfo understands that there are no concerns about the quality of pitch that will be brought up for that Test, which is shaping as David Warner’s farewell from the format, and will be played on one of the centre wickets used for TV games.Nathan Lyon, who played in the Tasmania match, was sure the pitch for the Test match would bear little resemblance. “I expect totally different,” he said.The ground will also host three BBL matches before the Test, with Sydney Sixers facing Melbourne Renegades (December 8), Adelaide Strikers (December 22) and Melbourne Stars (December 26).However, it also understood that elements of the pitch preparation will be reviewed with the proximity of the WBBL double-header matches on November 26 a potential factor as well as some poor weather.Chris Tremain, the New South Wales quick who claimed 6 for 31 in Tasmania’s second innings, defended the groundsmen by saying they had been hampered in the build-up by the weather and that the surface had started soft which caused divots to form that then hardened to create the uneven bounce.”Don’t think that wicket was poorly prepared,” Tremain told ESPNcricinfo. “In the balance of bat versus ball obviously ball was the winner, but I wouldn’t be too quick to hang the groundsman out to dry.”Tasmania captain Jordan Silk, while more measured than Paine in his views, said conditions had been skewed too far towards the ball.”I’ve played quite a lot Shield cricket, and can’t say I’ve played on a wicket quite like that where the ball was nipping around a lot. There were cracks on lines, and it was snaky,” he said. “You had not just the sideways movement but you also had a few balls climbing up then some climbing down.”Think you can cop a bit of wear and tear over the course of a game; but when there’s been 40 wickets in 160 overs of cricket, you probably think it’s a bit too heavily weighted towards the bowlers. And that’s coming from someone who is really keen on having some sporting wickets, but it was slightly too far towards the bowling side.”

Moises Henriques and Ollie Davies hit half-centuries in tricky batting conditions

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff28-Nov-2023

Some middle-order resistance helped New South Wales fight back on a rain-interrupted opening day of their Sheffield Shield clash with ladder-leaders Tasmania.Ollie Davies’ unbeaten 58 pushed the Blues to 178 for 7 at stumps at the SCG on Tuesday. While nowhere near a defendable total, NSW will be happy with the response after they were left reeling at 26 for 3 in tricky batting conditions under grey skies.Tasmania quick Lawrence Neil-Smith snared his second first-class five-wicket haul, vindicating the decision to bowl first after winning the toss.Following an innings loss to Tasmania in the last round, NSW decided to blood teenage talent Sam Konstas for his first-class debut.The 18-year-old was presented with his NSW cap by former Australia allrounder Shane Watson before coming in to bat at No. 3. Konstas made 10 in tough conditions before falling to Tasmanian allrounder Beau Webster.NSW captain Moises Henriques helped steer the Blues out of trouble, combining with Davies for a vital 81-run stand for the fifth wicket.Neil-Smith returned to break the stand when Henriques was caught behind and two balls later had Matthew Gilkes caught in the slips.Test spinner Nathan Lyon was back in the NSW team after being rested for the Blues’ thumping defeat in Hobart last week. Lyon is working his way back to full fitness after tearing his calf during the Ashes.NSW will be determined to put on a stack of runs when play resumes on Wednesday morning, with Tasmania’s batting line-up having been in scintillating touch to start the season.

Club could seek to sell historic Nevil Road Ground after more than 130 years of residence

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-2023Gloucestershire County Cricket Club have confirmed they are exploring the possibility of selling their historic home ground in Bristol, and moving to a bespoke stadium outside of the city.The Nevil Road Ground in central Bristol has been Gloucestershire’s base since 1889, when the land was gifted to the club by WG Grace, and has been a regular venue for England men’s and women’s white-ball internationals since the 1999 World Cup.However, in recent seasons, the ground has been beset by drainage issues that caused the abandonment of each of its last four ODIs, including both of its fixtures at the 2019 World Cup, and most recently Ireland’s visit in September.Gloucestershire’s domestic season was similarly disrupted, with their opening fixture of the County Championship, against Yorkshire in April, being abandoned on the third scheduled day without a ball being bowled. According to their most recently published accounts, the club lost £570,000 to the year ending January 31, 2023, having recorded a profit of £92,000 in 2021-22.Due to its central position, the opportunities to overhaul the ground’s existing infrastructure are limited, and following a report in the Telegraph last week, which estimated that the land could be worth £40 million if it was sold to developers, Gloucestershire have confirmed that a consultation is underway.”To ensure the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of Gloucestershire Cricket, we must look at the possibility of relocating the club and are now looking to enter into more active negotiations around a potential move to an appropriate new site,” the club wrote.”Whilst the current ground is still able to deliver the very highest level of cricket and customer experience at Nevil Road, we have to also prepare for the future. As we continue to grow, the strain on infrastructure and facilities at Nevil Road will become increasingly challenging, as will access to and from the ground.”The opportunity to relocate is a highly exciting prospect for the club to explore, one that would allow us to enter the next stage of our history and thrive in the future as we continue to adjust with the modernisation of cricket, how it is delivered and the diversification of the overall business.”The club’s preferred site is close to the M4 in South Gloucestershire, on the outskirts of Bristol, making it “more accessible to larger parts of the county”, and also allowing it to be “purpose-built to host the highest level of world cricket events including ICC fixtures”.Gloucestershire Cricket chair, David Jones, said: “This is a significant turning point for cricket in Gloucestershire and Bristol as we look to secure the club’s long-term future in an ever-changing sporting world.”As well as delivering for our members the modern and low-carbon facilities they deserve in order to showcase an ever-wider range of world class events here in the South West, we are keen to continue our active role in the community to widen participation and inspire the next generation of sports women and men.”We look forward to engaging with our members, neighbouring residents, stakeholders and the public as we continue a journey that WG Grace started many years ago.”Richard Gould, the ECB’s chief executive, and a former CEO of Bristol City Football Club, hailed the club’s “ambitious plans for growth”. With the board currently in consultation with counties over the future of the Hundred, one possibility being tabled is that two new teams will be introduced, including one in the South West, which would potentially add to the rationale of the development.”We are clear on the importance of Bristol, Gloucestershire and the South West to the game and recognise that continued investment at all levels is vital for the ongoing growth of cricket across the region,” Gould added. “It’s fantastic to see Gloucestershire displaying the ambition to provide cricket fans in the West Country with a state-of-the-art sports and leisure arena.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Neste sábado (29), às 15h, no Sesc Protásio Alves, em Porto Alegre, o Internacional recebe o Juventude pelo jogo de volta da semifinal do Campeonato Gaúcho Feminino. Depois de vencer o Jaconero na ida por 2 a 0, o Colorado deve confirmar a vaga na final do torneio estadual. Na fase de classificação, o Alvirrubro obteve a segunda melhor colocação da competição, com 11 pontos em 5 partidas.

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Fora das quatro linhas, a diretoria do Inter tem buscado patrocinadores para fortalecer a modalidade. Com cinco parceiros comerciais para as camisas de jogo – Banrisul, Marquespan, Unimed, Estrela Bet e Vero -, o Colorado tem conseguido verba para manter um elenco de alta qualidade e lutar pelos principais títulos da temporada.

Leonardo Menezes, gerente de futebol feminino do Internacional, celebrou os investimentos recebidos pelo Colorado na modalidade feminina.

– Os patrocínios que conseguimos captar para o futebol feminino são essenciais para podermos otimizar nossa estrutura organizacional. Essas parcerias são fundamentais para atingirmos nossos objetivos e termos equipes cada vez mais competitivas.

Dentro de campo, o projeto do Internacional tem alcançado diversos resultados positivos. Em setembro, as Gurias Coloradas foram vice-campeãs do Campeonato Brasileiro Feminino na categoria principal. Além disso, em julho, a equipe venceu o São Paulo na final e ficou com o título da modalidade Sub-20. Em abril, o time bateu o Santos e levantou o caneco do Sub-17.

Em relação ao duelo da volta contra o Juventude, Leonardo completa: – O Internacional tem expectativa de vitória, classificação e evolução permanente da equipe no Campeonato Gaúcho Feminino. Esperamos poder unir isso tudo com uma boa apresentação, que brinde nosso público com uma grande atuação coletiva – finalizou.

Tottenham fans have been told to get excited about summer signing Kota Takai after he proved his ability against Cristiano Ronaldo.

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• Spurs confirmed Takai signing
• Set to link up with first-team
• Japanese football expert gives lowdown on defender

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tottenham confirmed the signing of Takai from Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday, with the Japan international moving to north London in a £5 million ($7m) deal, making him the most expensive J1 League sale of all time. Now, Japanese football expert Alan Gibson has claimed that the centre-back could end up being a bargain.

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  Takai has won four caps for Japan at the age of 20, and he has played against some of the very best in the AFC Champions League. He was on the winning side as Kawasaki beat Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr, with Gibson claiming he had the Portugal superstar, Sadio Mane, and Jhon Duran "in his pocket".

• WHAT JACOBS SAID

  Jacobs told talkSPORT: "He's very, very good. He's very fast.

  "He's registered at 6 foot 4, 6 foot 3 and a half, which is very unusual for a Japanese player and shouldn't be a problem in the Premier League if size matters. And he's only about 80, 82, 83kg at the moment. So he might need a bit of beefing up"

  "I think some of the highlights you've probably seen were in the Asian Champions League semi-final when he played against Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Jhon Duran, and basically he had them in his pocket all game."I didn't realise Ronaldo was playing for about 60 minutes. Seriously, I was watching it on a small screen, and I really had forgotten that Ronaldo was there."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Spurs kick off their pre-season preparations against Reading on July 19 as Thomas Frank gets his first look at his Spurs players in action.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and his son have received death threats from Galatasaray fans instructing them to sanction Victor Osimhen's move to the Turkish club.

De Laurentiis family pressured by fansOsimhen's move to Galatasaray on holdSuper Lig club negotiating with NapoliFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

De Laurentiis and his son Edoardo were handed death threats by a Galatasaray fan who seemed angry at Osimhen's transfer saga. The Napoli chief's son was sent vulgar messages on WhatsApp, commanding him not to oppose Osimhen's permanent move to the Super Lig side, and a screenshot was shared on X by Turkish journalist Samet Cayir.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

After spending four seasons at Napoli since his move from Lille in 2020, Osimhen joined Galatasaray last summer on loan. He shone bright and recorded 45 goal contributions in 41 games, which was made up of 37 goals and eight assists. His impressive form led to the Turkish club urging a permanent transfer. However, his parent club Napoli have laid out certain terms which are deemed unacceptable by Galatasaray. Napoli had requested €40 million plus €35m to be paid by 2026 and a percentage from any future resale, while the Super Lig side wanted to delay the second instalment to 2027 and remove the resale clause. With such rigorous negotiations, Osimhen's future is yet to be sorted out.

DID YOU KNOW?

Osimhen, who has 26 goals in 41 games for Nigeria, was the Super Lig's top scorer last season with 26 goals, five more than Basaksehir's Krzysztof Piatek.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR OSIMHEN?

Talks are continuing between Galatasaray and Napoli, with the Italian champions certain that the striker does not have a future at the club.

Juan Mata says his family told him to leave Manchester United when Jose Mourinho became manager, having had difficulties with him at Chelsea.

Mata opens up on Mourinho difficultiesPortuguese sold Spaniard at ChelseaWere quickly back together at UnitedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Mata was a key player for Chelsea but soon became surplus to requirements when Mourinho returned for his second stint at Chelsea. The former Spain international was quickly shipped off to United in January 2014, but a little over two years later Mourinho had been appointed at Old Trafford, with Mata a key member after two positive seasons with the club.

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Mata would end up outlasting Mourinho at United, with the current Fenerbahce boss eventually given the boot by United in late 2018, whereas the midfielder stayed until 2022. He ended up making 285 appearances for the Red Devils but has now revealed he was urged by his grandfather to pack his things and leave when it was announced Mourinho would be managing him again.

WHAT MATA SAID

Appearing on the  podcast, Mata said: "The first call that I received was from my family and from my granddad saying, 'You have to leave. What's going to happen?' And I said, 'No, I'm going to see how it goes. I don't have any problem with him, and he doesn't have any problems with me.'

"It is one of the things that I'm most proud of in my career is to have remained, to be calm and say, 'No, I'm going to try to show that I can play in his style.' And I did so. Our relationship was very natural. Actually, we have a good relationship.

"I played games and we won things together. I played in all the finals, so I felt like an important player in his squad. My family told me, 'Okay, you were right,' but they were panicking a little bit."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Mata did end up making himself an important part of Mourinho's squad at United, starting victorious finals against Southampton and Ajax in the Carabao Cup and Europa League respectively. He had also helped them win the 2016 FA Cup when Louis van Gaal was still in charge.

India are propped up on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s shoulders, the 22-year old opener making more than half of their runs (179*) on day one of the Visakhapatnam Test.The head coach Rahul Dravid had asked for big hundreds in the aftermath of the loss in Hyderabad and Jaiswal delivered at the first time of asking, but the rest of his team-mates were unable to back him up. The next highest score in the innings so far is Shubman Gill’s 34. The partnerships for the first five wickets put on at least 40, but the highest was only 90. England did not let India off the hook all through the day and with a couple of late wickets – Axar Patel and KS Bharat mirror-imaging each other in their dismissals, left- and right-handers, cutting balls to point – the score at stumps was 336 for 6.The pitch might have had something to do with that. “Initially the wicket was a little bit damp and there was spin and bounce and even the ball was seaming also,” Jaiswal told the host broadcaster after the first day’s play.This prompted him to be careful, but also be on the lookout for scoring opportunities. “I had in my mind that I had to play session by session. I was just trying to make sure that if they are bowling well that I just made sure that I play that spell.Related

• Jaiswal stands tall and alone for India as England edge the day

• Jimmy vs Jaiswal: a who-is-gonna-do-it thriller

• 'To get Rohit as my first wicket was very, very special' – Shoaib Bashir

“When I was in the middle in the afternoon, the wicket was a bit settled. But when the ball got older and older, there was a bit of spin and bounce also they were getting. And I was just thinking how to manage the shots, what I can play and how I can play till the end as Rahul sir and Rohit bhai, they keep giving me messages, like need to convert it big and make sure you are playing till the end.”I would love to double it up and make sure I just keep going and make sure I play till the end for my team and I will try my best tomorrow.”Jaiswal’s team-mates understand how big of an innings he has played, and also that they haven’t given him enough support. The debutant Rajat Patidar looked quite solid for his 32 off 72 balls and enjoyed a particularly thrilling spell of play where he reverse swept Joe Root from the stumps for four and then drove him inside-out through cover for another four. The 30-year old looked the part in his first innings in international cricket, playing with soft hands and with purpose, but fell, a little ironically, when one ball dribbled back after he defended it with those same soft hands and hit his stumps.”If I say my innings, it was good but I have to make it big,” Patidar said in the post-match press conference. He has been playing first-class cricket since November 2015, but was philosophical about how opportunities to play for the Test team don’t come around too often. “Waiting for so long is common in Indian cricket. There are lot of players. I was just focussing on things that are in my hands. So year at the age of 30 I came here, feeling pretty good.”