Ready for KICK-OFF!

Former England ace ELLEN WHITE and ex-Wales star HELEN WARD on their teams' hopes for victory

- SEAN MARLAND

WOMEN'S EUROS LIVE WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, TIMES VARY, BBC1, BBC2 & ITV1 SPORT

Fresh from hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in May, Switzerland takes centre stage again as thousands of football fans flock to the country for the 2025 Women's Euros.

The 14th edition of the competition will see 16 teams, split into four groups, battling for glory, beginning on Wednesday 2 July when Iceland take on Finland (kick-off 5pm, ITV1). Home nations England and Wales - who have been drawn together in Group D will have to wait until Saturday 5 July to begin their campaigns.

Having made history by qualifying for their first major tournament, Wales will face the Netherlands, while the Lionesses, defending the title they won three years ago, will square up to France.

Only two teams from each group go through to the knockout stages.

If they progress, Wales and England may come up against well-fancied Spain or eight-time winners Germany in the quest to make it to the final in Basel on Sunday 27 July.

Here, former football stars Ellen White and Helen Ward, who will be reporting on the action for the BBC, join TV Times for exclusive chats about what to expect...

ELLEN WHITE

Born in Buckinghamshire, the former striker, 36, is the Lionesses' all-time top goalscorer, earning 52 goals in 113 appearances. She retired from the team shortly after England's Euros victory in 2022.

You were part of the squad that won the Women's Euro final 2-1 against Germany three years ago, Ellen. What are your memories of the moment your teammate Chloe Kelly scored the winning goal?