We are now only a few days away from what looks to be a very exciting summer of football for the Women’s game. Every major tournament introduces the world to a new wave of talent and this summer’s Euro 2025 promises to be no different. While the stars we know and love will light up the stage, it’s the rising stars, the ‘breakout ballers’, who could define the story of this summer.
In this blog, FA Learning Experience Lead Katie Sorenson, delves into 4 players across the group stages from outside the England National Team, that you will want to remember before everyone else knows their name.
Group A focus
Sveinds Jane Jonsdottir – 24 – Winger / Forward – Iceland
She’s electric, explosive, and almost impossible to contain. Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir isn’t just one of Iceland’s brightest hopes, she’s one of the most exciting attacking players heading into Euro 2025. Known for her blistering pace and direct style, Jonsdottir thrives off stretching defences and creating chaos in the final third. After another strong season in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, where she combined goals, assists, and relentless work rate, she has been snapped up by Angel City. Her standout domestic performances include 4 goals in a 25-minute period of Wolfsburg’s Champions League fixture vs AS Roma (https://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/history/video/0296-1d003649674f-88b67d7734fc-1000--women-s-champions-league-goals-analysis-sveindis-jonsdot/) . Internationally, she already has 50 caps for Iceland, scoring 13 goals. This includes goals in shock wins against both Germany (3-0 win) and Poland (1-0 win) in the Euro Qualifiers. Iceland will look to her not only for goals and assists but to spark counterattacks and lift the tempo when games get tight. She might not be a household name just yet, but this summer, she has every chance to change that. If Iceland are to make noise in this tournament, expect Jonsdottir to be at the centre of it — outrunning, outmuscling, and outshining defenders along the way.
Group B focus
Vicky Lopez – 18 – Attacking Midfield – Spain
At just 18, Vicky Lopez plays with the maturity and confidence of someone who has played on the international stage for the last 15 years. A silky playmaker with elite technical skills and vision beyond her years, Lopez is already part of a golden generation at FC Barcelona and she’s set to shine on the international stage this summer. Whether she is utilised as a midfielder, winger or even a false 9, Lopez’s adaptability and versatility is a valuable asset in Spain’s set up. With already great exposure to International Tournaments, Lopez has represented her country at two U17 European Championships and the U17 World Cup, winning the latter in 2022 (https://x.com/fifawwc/status/1912426381532680437?s=46) . Winner of the 2024 Golden Girl award (Europe’s best U21 player), she enters Euro 2025 fresh off a title-laden season, contributing key goals and link-up play for Barca. Whether she is drifting between the lines to get on the ball or threading passes through tight spaces, or gliding past defenders, Lopez brings calm creativity to Spain’s high-intensity system. This season domestically for Barcelona, she has made 17 appearances, scoring 10 goals and chipping in with an assist. This could be her breakout tournament, a chance to step out from under the spotlight of Spain’s stars and announce herself as one of the next global greats.
Group C focus
Hanna Lundkvist – 22 – Full back – Sweden
Steady, smart, and seriously quick, Hanna Lundkvist is the kind of modern full back every top team wants. After cementing her place in the NWSL with San Diego Wave, and experiences in Spain with Atletico Madrid and Sweden with AIK and Hammerby, she’s now set to make a real mark for Sweden at Euro 2025. She’s relentlessly effective, reading the game well, rarely getting beaten 1v1, and showcases her attacking prowess with well-timed overlapping runs. With strong defensive stats and a growing presence in the final third, she’s proving herself on both sides of the ball. This is why she has been a mainstay in the San Diego Wave team this season, making 27 appearances across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists (https://x.com/sandiegowavefc/status/1933693257797808558). Internationally, she has so far earned 17 caps with Sweden, after coming through the Sweden international pathway from U17 (19 caps) into U19 (12 caps) and U23 (12 caps) football. If Sweden go far this summer, do not be surprised if Lundkvist quietly becomes one of the tournament’s most consistent and important performers, the kind of breakout baller you only fully appreciate when you realise nothing gets past her.
Group D focus
Wieke Kaptein – 19 – Midfielder – Netherlands
Composed, commanding, and already wise beyond her years, Wieke Kaptein is the kind of midfielder who makes everything look effortless. Despite her age, she has gained significant experience in top-tier competitions, including the Women's Super League and UEFA Women's Champions League. At just 19, she’s quietly become a central figure for Chelsea after a successful loan at FC Twente during the 2023/24 season, and is now ready to bring that calm control to the European stage with the Netherlands. In fact, at just 17, Kaptein became the youngest Dutch player to feature in a Women's World Cup, highlighting her readiness to compete at the highest levels. She blends defensive discipline with smooth ball progression. She can break up play with a well-timed challenge one moment, then launch an attack with a pinpoint pass the next (https://x.com/oranjevrouwen/status/1911785898242355364) . Her maturity and awareness in midfield have made her a standout in the Eredivisie and the Women’s Super League, and a rising star in Netherlands’ new generation. At Euro 2025, Kaptein could be the engine that keeps the Dutch midfield ticking; an essential presence whose influence will only grow with every game.
Summary
While the headlines this summer may focus on the big names, it is players like Jonsdottir, Lopez, Lundkvist, and Kaptein who could truly shape Euro 2025. Each brings something different; Jonsdottir’s explosive energy, Lopez’s creative flair, Lundkvist’s defensive reliability, and Kaptein’s calm control in midfield. Together, they represent the next wave of European talent. This summer might just be the moment the football world takes full notice.