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Perennially tipped as contenders but still without a major title triumph, France once again have high hopes for this summer

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France are hoping to make good on what they see as a golden era for their women's national side and build on their run to the semi-finals at the last edition of the Euros. Having gradually built their way up into contention for silverware in the 21st century, establishing themselves as perpetual quarter-finalists who just need a little bit of luck to go their way. They got just enough of that at Euro 2022 to reach the semi-finals before falling to Germany. The two sides exchanged victories in qualifying for this year's tournament, and will clash once again in their opening game of Euro 2025. With Wales and the Netherlands making up the rest of a tough group, it should be a very interesting summer for France. .. one way or the other. The squad called up to face Nigeria and Spain in friendlies in November/December 2024 was as follows: Euro 2025 qualifying April 5: France 1–0 Republic of Ireland, Stade Saint-Symphorien, Metz, France April 9: Sweden 0–1 France, Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. May 31: England 1-2 France, St James' Park, Newcastle, England June 4: France 1-2 England, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St Etienne, France July 12: France 2–1 Sweden, Stade Gaston Gérard, Dijon, France July 16: Republic of Ireland 3–1 France, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland 2024 Olympics July 25: France 3–2 Colombia, Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, France July 28: France 1–2 Canada, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne, France July 31: New Zealand 1–2 France, Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, France August 3: France 0–1 Brazil, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, France Friendlies October 25: France 3–0 Jamaica, Stade Auguste-Bonal, Montbéliard, France October 29: Switzerland 2–1 France, Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland November 30: France 2–1 Nigeria, Stade Raymond Kopa, Angers, France December 3: France 2–4 Spain, Stade de Nice, Nice, France Women's Nations League February 21: France v Norway, Toulouse Stadium, Toulouse, France February 26: France v Iceland, Stade Marie-Marvingt, Le Mans, France April 4: Switzerland v France, venue TBCApril 8: Norway v France, venue TBC May 30: France v Switzerland, Stade Marcel-Picot, Tomblaine, France June 3: Iceland v France, venue TBC Euro 2025 July 5: France v England, Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland July 9: France v Wales, Arena St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland July 13: Netherlands v France, St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland An experienced youth coach and assistant manager who once had a spell as interim manager as Saudi Arabia men's boss, Bonadei is now in his highest-profile job yet after stepping up from an assistant role to fill Hervé Renard's shoes after the Olympics. Bonadei is yet to take charge of a competitive game as national team boss, but will have the chance to test himself in the Nations League in the run-up to the Euros. With all-time leading goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer no longer scoring at her previous blistering rate, it looks likely that it will fall on three-time French league top scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto to provide for France. The 26-year-old, who is number 26 in Four Four Two's best players right now list, was instrumental in France topping their group in qualifying, scoring the decisive winning goals against Ireland, England and Sweden. She then carried that into the Olympics, scoring all but one of her country's six goals at the tournament. Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,  We Are Terriers. com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023. Spain Women Euro 2025 squad: Aitana Bonmati leads star-studded world champions Limited time and high stakes: Why the January transfer window is CHAOS for clubs, agents, and players Wrexham vs Birmingham: the League One fixture with a global future Four Four Two is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. ©

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