UEFA Women’s EURO: The Rising Stars of the International Stage

The UEFA Women’s EURO is an opportunity to shine a light on the rising stars in the women’s game. More and more young talents are emerging, with several making their major tournament debuts this summer.

These individuals are the future of women’s football. Young players bring a new perspective to the game and continue the positive legacy within the sport. Although so many youngsters are rising to the occasion, there are five players who have taken the major tournament by storm: Michelle Agyemang, Vicky Lopez, Iman Beney, Alice Sombath and Wieke Kaptein. 

Only eight nations remain in the tournament; they all contain twenty-three player squads full of top players who are living out their EURO dreams. But did these five players make the difference between their nations securing qualification for the knockouts, and departing Switzerland on an early flight?

Michelle Agyemang 

England youngster, Agyemang, is looking to bring new levels to this year’s tournament. In recent years, the youngster has been a regular in the Under-19 Lionesses camp, where she has developed as an international football and enhanced her experience and talent. In this tournament, she wants to showcase her potential.

She made her major tournament debut in the eighty-sixth minute of England’s opening game against France in the group stages. Despite this ending in a 2-1 defeat, she made a huge impact and posed an attacking threat against a top French defence. This impact shortly led to Keira Walsh scoring England’s goal, just one minute after Agyemang stepped onto the pitch.

 Agyemang made her senior debut on the eighth of April against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League. Having been at St George’s Park with the U-19s squad, head cach, Sarina Wiegman saw her potential and gifted her an opportunity to join the senior camp in the absence of top forward, Alessia Russo. Although England lost 3-2 to Belgium, Agyemang had her time to shine: she scored her first senior international goal in just forty-one seconds. This statistic proves her potential, perhaps why Wiegman chose such a young player to feature in such a prestigious tournament.

Agyemang could be the impact player that the Lionesses need to progress further in the tournament, especially after a troublesome start.

Vicky Lopez 

Aged eighteen, Lopez is experiencing her first major tournament with Spain this summer. In a squad of world-class players, she  started their opening game against Portugal. With questions surrounding this decision, Lopez omitted any doubts with her immediate impact, scoring just seven minutes into the match.  

Lopez made her senior debut at the age of seventeen in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, replacing Jenni Hermoso in Spain’s 3-0 win over the Netherlands. Before, she featured in several major tournaments with the Under-17 Spanish national team. This bolstered her experience and exposed her to the intensity for the both the EUROs and the FIFA Women’s World Cup from a young age.

 In the run up to the EUROs, Lopez gave Spain the lead in their send-off game against Japan. She made her mark on the national team ahead of their trip to Switzerland, adding to a 3-1 win.

 Already, Lopez started two of Spain’s must-win group stage fixtures; the manager puts her trust in the young midfielder, and knows she has a lot to add to an experienced Spanish squad.

Iman Beney 

Swiss eighteen-year-old, Beney, has played a part in Switzerland national football from a young age and is becoming a remarkable player for the senior squad.

 She was selected to represent her nation in the Under-17 UEFA Championship, where they made it to the semi-finals. Despite receiving her first major tournament call-up in 2023 for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, her dreams were shattered with the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. In camp, on the horizon of her first ever major tournament, she suffered a period on the sidelines.

 However, the young forward has worked her way back up to success. Recently, Manchester City announced the signing of Beney on a four-year-contract. This is an exciting move for the Swiss international, as she embarks on the next journey in her footballing career. The Barclays Women’s Super League is a competitive stage, where she will no doubt shine.

On an international level, Beney started every match in the group stages, assisting Switzerland in their progression to the quarter finals. There is no question she will be starting every game. As the host nation hope to impress their home fans, ahead of a tough last eight clash with Spain, the youngster could be the key to unlocking the door to the semi-finals on home soil.

Alice Sombath 

French right back, Sombath, has been consistent choice for France in group stages, with ninety minutes in two of three fixtures. Laurent Bonadei’s French side won all three matches, to top Group D. Despite facing the ‘group of death’ they only conceded four goals. This is credit to the defensive structure and prowess, where Sombath’s talents lie.

 With the surprise omission of Captain, Wendie Renard, Sombath stepped up to the starting eleven. This is an excellent opportunity to show her talent and become a key figure in the future of women’s football in France. Renard has some big boots to fill, but the young defender is a rising star of the game and ready to elevate her football to the next level.

 However, Sombath’s experience on the international scene began several years ago. Her nation debut was made with the Under-15s in the youth ranks. Since, she has been a regular in major tournaments as she progressed to the senior team.

 France is yet to keep a clean sheet in the EUROs, so ahead of their quarter final clash with Germany, the young defender will be looking at this. With a new level of experience upon her shoulders, she is a reliable and dominant presence in the backline and will be play a vital role in France’s tactical plan to reach the semi finals next week.

Wieke Kaptein 

Nineteen-year-old, Kaptein, made her senior EURO debut for the Netherlands only this year, as they beat Wales 4-0. This opening fixture was a must-win for the team.

Since Under-15s, Kaptein has been part of the international setup. As she developed, she was selected for international tournaments at both Under-17s and Under-19s. In fact, she even had the opportunity to Captain the Dutch at youth level. This level of experience at such a young age highlights her professionalism and potential as a future star of the team.  

For her club, Kaptein also contributed significantly. This season, Cheslea won the domestic treble, and the midfielder became a regular starter throughout all competitions. Her character makes her a valuable team player, who contributes to the collective effort and dominates the midfield to challenge to opposition’s defence.

Despite the Netherlands early exit from the tournament, Kaptein deserves an honourable mention. The Dutch struggled to escape the ‘group of death’. However, Kaptein made her mark in the national team, showcasing her impressive hold up play and vision in the middle of the pitch. There is no doubt she will become a key presence in the team for years to come.