Ignore the keyboard warriors: bring on Swiss cliches and Euro 2025

With the Lions Tour, Wimbledon, the second cricket Test between England and India and Copa Gianni all in full swing, the last thing all us sports fans who are so spoiled for summer choice need is keyboard warriors on social media abominations complaining about women’s football being “forced down our throats”. Especially given that, like each of the other sporting events listed above, watching Euro 2025 is still not compulsory. Due to take place in Switzerland over the next 25 days, the tournament kicks off on Wednesday, with Iceland taking on Finland in the early game before hosts Switzerland take on Norway in one of 22 out of 32 games that are already completely sold out.

While Proper Football Men such as @FirstNameBunchOfNumbers are likely to be as performatively uninterested in the competition as we’ve come to expect, home fans and many of their travelling counterparts have certainly bought into it. Thus far, ticket sales have already topped 600,000, in a state of affairs that suggests interest in the European women’s game is now higher than many of the Alpine peaks that will serve as picturesque backdrops in the various TV montages containing Toblerones, clocks, cheese, yodelling men, pocket knives and brown cows with bells around their necks that would almost certainly materialise in the coming weeks if Football Daily had won the rights.

“I sincerely thank the Swiss Football Association and its president, Dominique Blanc, for their tireless efforts in preparing for this event, and the host cities, volunteers and fans whose energy and support will leave a lasting legacy,” honked Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin in his pre-tournament address. “The stage now belongs to the 16 outstanding teams chasing the dreams of European glory. I wish them all good health, to be on top of their game, to make their nations proud, and to write a new chapter in football history.” Of the teams who qualified, approximately five are considered genuine contenders to lift the trophy, even if most experts seem to have flagged up Spain, the World Cup holders, as the most likely winners.

England will be hopeful to retain the title they won at Wembley three years ago but have also been earmarked as potential high-profile early croppers amid some talk of unhappiness in a camp that includes high-profile absentees. Lioness legends Mary Earps, Millie Bright and Fran Kirby all withdrew from contention (or in some cases learned they weren’t in contention) in the week leading up to the announcement of Sarina Wiegman’s squad, prompting accusations that their Dutch manager was presiding over a disharmonious squad being rent asunder by excessively big egos. “That is not the case,” sniffed Wiegman at the time, upon being asked if her team is in crisis. “We are going with these 23 to the Euros now and I feel very comfortable with this team. I am very happy with the team and I am very excited, and I am looking forward to it. For me, it doesn’t feel like a crisis at all.” Yet to taste defeat as a manager at the Euros going into her third tournament, Wiegman is a wily veteran, unlike Wales and Poland, who will be making their debuts in this showcase of a sport that has never been in more rude health.

Join Barry Glendenning from 5pm BST for MBM coverage of Iceland 1-1 Finland in the Euro 2025 opener, with Scott Murray on deck at 8pm for Switzerland 2-1 Norway.

I’m my own worst critic. If I’m not happy with it, it doesn’t go out. It simply doesn’t happen. When it came to [Swindon’s] Don Rogers, for instance, I cut that head off six times! It’s kind of scary when you do that” – Alan Herriott is among the sculptors who detail the pressure of preserving a player’s likeness and legacy for expectant fans in this entertaining piece.

During what used to be the close season for football I would fill some of the void by watching Wimbledon. Seeing the line judges ducking 140mph serves – or not – was particularly enjoyable. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that, from this year, all the major calls are made by someone watching camera-assisted footage on a screen. Still, it seems these decisions are made more quickly and accurately. Perhaps football should consider something similar? Oh” – Justin Johnson.

Surely commentators must be aware that goalposts and crossbars are inanimate objects? The posts aren’t making last-ditch tackles, nor is the crossbar putting its body on the line by bravely throwing itself in front of goal-bound shots. So, for the love of Diego (other deities are available) please stop saying someone was ‘denied by the woodwork’. Otherwise my long-suffering wife will have to go on hearing me shout at the telly like a demented idiot who believes the commentators can actually hear him” – Mark McFadden.

Re: Diego Maradona’s choice of icy refreshment (yesterday’s Memory Lane, full email edition). From left to right: Pop-eye (limón); Frigo pie; Frigurón (in the form of a shark); Capitán Cola. Just FYI” – Tim Cole.

Please send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s winner of our letter o’ the day competition is … Justin Johnson, who gets some Football Weekly merch. We’ll be in touch. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. 

Newcastle United pride themselves on making headlines with their flags – they even have a fans’ group dedicated to organising them so St James’ Park looks its best on matchdays. But in the past 24 hours the club’s use of one in a video has drawn attention for the wrong reasons. In a video to promote the Magpies’ new third kit, which featured fan and young local rocker Sam Fender, the club included a flag that resembled the Rising Sun ensign used by Japan’s army in the second world war. Yep, many people find it offensive. Ah. Time to roll out an apology. “The reaction to our new third kit with Adidas has been special, but the launch video contained a scene that could inadvertently cause offence,” said a club statement. “We apologise for that. We’ve removed the scene from the film to make sure that as many fans as possible can enjoy it.”

Chelsea have added João Pedro to their Copa Gianni squad after signing the forward from Brighton in a deal worth up to £60m. And yes, he has penned a seven-year deal.

Centre-back Jarell Quansah has skedaddled from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £35m. “It’s a great role and challenge for me to be part of the current Leverkusen rebuild,” whooped the 22-year-old.

Another player who has been signing things is Chloe Kelly. The 27-year-old has completed a free transfer to Arsenal after her successful loan from Manchester City. “Learning from an incredible manager and continuing to build relationships with an excellent team is a journey I’m looking forward to continuing,” cheered the England forward, from somewhere in Switzerland.

Morecambe are on the brink of entering administration after talks between the club’s directors and the owner, Jason Whittingham, failed to find a breakthrough regarding a potential takeover.

Real Madrid are into the Copa Gianni quarter-finals after Gonzalo García’s goal was enough for a 1-0 win over hot-and-bothered Juventus. “Ten players asked to be substituted,” wheezed Juve boss Igor Tudor. “The exhaustion was incredible … this heat … really gets to you.”

Reports in Brazil say that Botafogo boss Renato Paiva was hoofed through the door marked Do One for not allowing chief suit John Textor to interfere by picking the team. “All I can say is that I’m shocked, and the staff and players are open-mouthed about the decision,” sniffed Paiva.

And Roy Hodgson and Thomas Tuchel have crossed paths at Wimbledon today. Let’s hope this was a friendly chat about tactics and not an argument over whose seat it was.

Euro 2025 is a moment to sense the sheer scale of progress, writes Jonathan Liew.

Hammerings, history and hard times: the seven ages of Sarina Wiegman’s England. By Tom Garry and Suzanne Wrack.

Nick Ames on how Switzerland is hoping for a festival of football to get the Euros party started.

How was the Copa Gianni for Manchester City? Jamie Jackson looks at the good and the not so good from their time in the USA USA USA.

Has a team ever won Big/Bigger Cup without beating any champions? The Knowledge has the answer.

It was a desperate exit to Guatemala in the Gold Cup for Canada. Joe Callaghan reviews what is going wrong for Jesse Marsch.

And the Rumour Mill brings you all the latest tittle-tattle for your enjoyment. Today there is a suggestion an England winger will swap Chelsea for Arsenal.

To a mud bath at Kenilworth Road as Sweden celebrate their triumph over England on penalties at Euro 1984, the game having gone the distance after finishing 1-1 after two legs. At the front right you may spot Pia Sundhage, who is leading hosts Switzerland into the current tournament as manager.