Wales welcomes being underestimated after tough Euro 2025 group allocation

Wales is prepared for their debut in a major final, expressing contentment with being underestimated following a challenging Euro 2025 group draw. Their initial match will be against the Netherlands during the tournament’s opening weekend. Having secured qualification for a women’s major tournament for the first time, Wales is set to compete against formidable opponents in Switzerland: current titleholders England, 2022 Euro semi-finalists France, and 2017 champions the Netherlands. Rhian Wilkinson, the head coach for Wales, indicated satisfaction with the demanding draw, stating: “There’s no easy group, but there is a harder one – and I think we’re in it, which is just exciting for us.” Jess Fishlock, who holds the records for Wales’ all-time leading goalscorer and most caps, conveyed that the team, making its tournament debut, is prepared to deliver an unexpected performance next summer. During the draw event in Lausanne, Switzerland, Fishlock commented: “You don’t get to a major tournament and the top 16 teams in Europe without being a good side.” She added: “I’m sure people will write us off in that group, which is fine. I wish them the best with that.” Fishlock further asserted: “I know who we are, the people that we are, the group that we are, the players that we are and what we stand for – and I know we’re going to go into this tournament and into that group and show everybody what team we are.” Jon Grey, Wales’ assistant coach, represented the team at the draw as Wilkinson was unable to attend due to a pre-existing commitment that could not be rescheduled. Grey stated: “Let them write us off at their peril,” adding, “We’ll go about our business, hopefully we’ll do well and go well in the group.” As the lowest-ranked team in the draw, Wales will commence their tournament against the Netherlands in Lucerne. Their subsequent match will be against France in St Gallen, a team they challenged significantly in two defeats during the 2023 World Cup qualification campaign. A significant focus of media attention is expected to be on the match against England, a team Wales has historically never defeated. The two neighbouring nations last competed during the qualification phase for the 2019 World Cup, where Jayne Ludlow’s team secured a draw against the Lionesses in Southampton before experiencing a 3-0 loss at Rodney Parade. Wilkinson, however, stated that she is not preoccupied with the anticipation surrounding the match, which is scheduled to be Wales’ final group stage fixture. She commented: “I think that will be outside noise,” clarifying, “A derby is for one-off games, not tournament games.” Wilkinson acknowledged: “Obviously it will be big for the fanbase and we can’t pretend it isn’t, but all three of our opponents are top, top level opposition that are going to challenge us to our maximum.” She concluded: “It’s not a game that will be more special than others, it’s just another top opposition that we will have to be at our best for.” Wilkinson expressed her delight at Wales’ name being drawn among Europe’s top teams, marking a historic achievement for the nation in reaching the tournament. Fishlock conveyed similar enthusiasm, delivering an early motivational message. Speaking to BBC Sport Wales, she stated: “In truth I didn’t care where we came out, I just wanted to see our name up there where it belongs,” adding, “We’re going to come to a tournament like this and we will play great teams no matter what. It will be fun, it will be tough, but it will be a group where we can go out and ensure we are ready to compete. ” Fishlock further remarked: “They’re all good teams – but so are we. We shouldn’t put our heads down about it, it’s actually the opposite – now we grow bigger and go ‘OK, this is where we’re at now…so let’s go do it.'” Regarding the Netherlands, Wilkinson described them as “a side that frequently has little dips but picks it right up for big tournaments. They are former winners who know how to win and grind out results, and have a really deep and talented squad.” On France, she commented: “Since I was a player they are the most surprising team in that they have almost always got a winning team, but they frequently fall short.” Wilkinson continued: “It’s only a matter of time before they fall into their stride because they do have some incredible talent at their disposal. It really is incredible that they haven’t won yet, they are a very dangerous team.” Pertaining to England, Wilkinson stated: “They’re the last winners, another team that with the excitement and growth of the WSL have had a lot of attention, a lot of talent and a big player pool, so I expect a top England team to be at the tournament.”