Three players at Women’s Euro 2025 reminded me of why we all love football – Jamie Spangher | OneFootball

After 28 days of world-class football played among the backdrop Switzerland’s beauty, three players at Women’s Euro 2025 showcased everything there is to love about football.

Switzerland was a rollercoaster. The ups and downs, the rise and the falls. Knowing that I already loved football, but somehow finding an even deeper passion for the beautiful game.

Football may have come home, but that is not the reason we all love football. To water down the game’s purpose solely to the achievement of silverware would be to ignore football’s entire point.

The game is about growth, love, passion, community and belonging.

Switzerland meant more than just football. It meant sold-out stadiums, thousands on fan walks, daughters, mothers, fathers and sons. It meant the old ceiling now becoming the floor.

Three players at Euro 2025 reminded me why I love the beautiful game, Jamie Spangher writes…

Chloe Kelly – England

It was just six months ago when Chloe Kelly was dropped from the England squad. The 27-year-old was struggling for minutes at Manchester City, awarded just one Women’s Super League start under former manager Gareth Taylor.

“I’m posting this because I want to make you all aware that we as players dedicate our lives to our sport and our clubs, but our dreams can be crushed whilst we live in silence,” Kelly wrote earlier this year.

A deadline day move to Arsenal is what followed, and since then, the rest has become history.

Winning the Champions League with the Gunners seemed like it was the end of Kelly’s fairytale turnaround, but there was still more to come.

The loss to France in England’s opening game was tough, and had many wondering whether or not the Lionesses still had any bite left in them. Then came the Netherlands, where the Lionesses roared, followed by a big win over rivals Wales.

But it was the knockouts where Kelly showed the world just what she can do. Two assists inside 120 seconds and Kelly drew England back level from the most unlikely of margins against Sweden before her side would go on to win on penalties.

Just when the Lionesses seemed down and out against Italy, Kelly and Michelle Agyemang rose to the occasion, with Kelly helping to turn the game around yet again before scoring the winner to send England into the final, where she would play her most decisive role yet.

Kelly’s introduction yet again sparked a turnaround, crossing for Alessia Russo to score to send the game to extra time and then penalties. The 27-year-old would ultimately win the tournament for the Lionesses, firing her spot-kick high into the corner to send the England fans wild.

Kelly has cemented her place among England’s greats thanks to incredible resilience, hunger, hard work, and a hint of revenge. With two Euro titles to her name, Kelly has truly earned her place on the world stage.

Geraldine Reuteler – Switzerland

The Swiss maestro who got the host nation on their feet, Geraldine Reuteler made history.

The fast-paced midfielder inspired a nation with the ball at her feet. Reuteler’s non-stop work rate energised her side all the way to a history-making Euros quarter-final on home soil.

When 25,000 fans flooded the streets of Bern to join the Switzerland fan walk ahead of the nation’s knockout clash against Spain, you could almost taste the tangible effect that Euro 2025 is going to have on the growth of the women’s game in their country.

Switzerland may not have lifted the trophy, but the squad, especially Reuteler, will hopefully have forever changed the trajectory of women’s football in the nation.

Ann-Katrin Berger – Germany

At the end of it all, this tournament was not about the hot-shot forwards or the fast-paced wingers – it was about the goalkeepers.

Forever overlooked and eternally under-appreciated, these shot-stoppers proved decisive. From host nation underdog Livia Peng to European champion Hannah Hampton, the saviours between the posts had it all.

But I want to highlight one in particular, and that is none other than Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger.

Her diving save to palm away the chance for a French comeback in the quarter finals gave the depleted Germany side the energy to go on and win. Save of the tournament and a contender for one of the best of all time, Berger displayed the resilience and fight that is so fundamental to why we love football.

Having beaten thyroid cancer twice, Berger’s resilience has been truly inspirational.