As Euro 2025 looms just days away, The Halfway Line previews seven young stars who will be eager to steal the spotlight in Switzerland.
This summer will be full to the brim of high quality football and a vast array of household names ready to make their mark on the European Championships. But as the eve of the tournament approaches, we highlight the young guns ready to make their name known.
For the Lionesses, Euro 2022 wrote the fairytale of the ‘super-sub’. This time around, fans will be ready for a rebranded Russo backheel and a game-saving Ella Toone chip.
The Halfway Line previews seven young stars ready to make a mark at Euro 2025.
Ellen Wangerheim – The Swedish striker looking to shine at Euro 2025
Having made her senior debut for Sweden just last year, Ellen Wangerheim will be hoping she brings her golden boots on the flight to Switzerland. The ever-reliable and majestic striker for Damallsvenskan side Hammarby, Wangerheim has so far scored 10 goals in 11 starts for the Swedish side.
Vicky López – Spanish Maestra ready to take on Euro 2025
At just 18 years of age, Vicky López is already at summit of the world football mountain. Plying her trade for both FC Barcelona and Spain, the exciting attacker is oozing with talent.
Usually deployed on the wing, López will have the luxury of playing behind some of the world’s best forwards. Able to also shift into more of an attacking midfield role, López will provide youthful versatility for La Roja.
Smilla Vallotto – Swiss star ready to wow home fans
21-year-old Smilla Vallotto is ready to impress home fans as Switzerland prepare to host Euro 2025. The vibrant and technical midfielder has played 63 games for Hammarby since signing for the Swedish club in August 2023. Frauen Bundesliga giants VfL Wolfsburg recently announced the signing of Vallotto who will join the side after the Euros.
Vallotto has made 22 appearances for Switzerland and will be key to the side’s attacking prowess if they are to dislodge Norway, Iceland and Finland in Group A.
Did you know? Vallotto was born in Geneva but grew up in Norway. The midfielder has Swiss, Italian and Norwegian citizenship.
Aggie Beever-Jones – Chelsea star netting the goals for the Lionesses
Fans of the Women’s Super League will know the name Aggie Beever-Jones, but her profile on the international stage is just getting started. Netting a hat-trick in England’s 6-0 demolition of Portugal just weeks ago, the Chelsea forward will play a key role off the bench for the Lionesses during Euro 2025.
Able to play down the flank, up top and in the high midfield, Beever-Jones will offer Sarina Wiegman an exciting package in Switzerland.
Veerle Buurman – The Dutch defender
Signing for Chelsea on deadline day in the summer of 2024, Veerle Buurman plied her trade for her former club, PSV Eindhoven, on loan throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
The rock-solid centre back played for Dutch boys academy side Sportclub Bemmel at an under-17 level, before joining the PSV academy in 2022, where she kickstarted her senior career. Having played for a boys academy side just years ago, Buurman has since debuted for the Netherlands senior team, earning herself a well-deserved call up to Euro 2025.
Starting recent Nations League fixtures for Oranje Leeuwinnen, Buurman will certainly be one to watch in Switzerland.
Carrie Jones – Wales looking to make history
Wales will be ready to make history this summer as the side enter their first ever major tournament. 21-year-old Carrie Jones will play a vital role as one of the nation’s brightest stars inside the engine of midfield.
Once showcasing her talent for Bristol City, Jones departed the Robins following their relegation from the top-flight at the close of the 2023/24 campaign. Jones signed for Swedish side Norrköping, and has since made 24 appearances for the side heading into Euro 2025.
Playing as a wide option and a high-striker for Wales, Jones’s adapted midfield role for Norrköping may provide Rhian Wilkinson with key versatility heading into the fairytale tournament.
Cora Zicai – German goalscorer ready to make a mark
Zicai has plied her trade at her hometown club SC Freiburg since 2017, rising through the ranks to make her senior Germany debut in November 2024. The dynamic striker brings stature and fight to the German frontline, who will be hoping to avenge their second-place finish at Euro 2022.
Like Vallotto, Cora Zicai is ready to sign for VfL Wolfsburg after the conclusion of the Euros. The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the German giants.
