Why you need to watch the UEFA Women’s Euro

The GIST: While the NWSL is on break, there’s incredible women’s soccer happening across the pond: The month-long UEFA Women’s Euro begins today in Switzerland, pitting the 16 best European squads against one another for continental glory. Let’s kick it.

⚙️ How it works: The 16 teams were divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D) for the round-robin group stage. There will be two games every day starting today through July 13th: the first at 12 p.m. ET and the second at 3 p.m. ET, with each squad playing three matches total.

• From there, the top two finishers in each group (based on points: three for a win, one for a draw, zero for a loss) will advance to the knockouts.

💪 The favorites: All eyes are on the world No. 5 Lionesses, who brought England its first soccer title in 56 years (women’s or men’s) with their 2022 home Euro win. Three years later, then–breakout stars, like forward Chloe Kelly, are now veterans tasked with maintaining dominance — even amid questionable roster shakeups and an unfortunate placement in the “group of death.”

• And then there’s the reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) champs, No. 2 Spain. While the technically savvy La Roja are expected to exit Group B with ease, keep an eye on two-time Ballon d’Or Féminin winner Aitana Bonmatí, who’s recovering from meningitis.

🐶 The underdogs: Two typically top teams are in their rebuild era, making them sleeper picks to go the distance: No. 3 Germany and No. 10 France. Both said goodbye to a host of veterans, but boast very strong attacks. Die Nationalelf are led by forward Lea Schüller, while Les Bleus rely on Marie-Antoinette Katoto, the leading scorer at last summer’s Olympics.