As the Women’s Euros 2025 gets underway with its opening matches, some of the tournament’s brightest talents will be missing out, sidelined by injury. These absences not only impact the players but also alter squad depth, tactical planning, and the emotional fabric of national teams. Here’s who’s out and why it matters:
Ella Morris (England) – ACL Tear
Fresh off her first senior England call-up, Tottenham defender Ella Morris suffered a devastating ACL injury during training at St George’s Park in late May. This severe knee ligament tear usually demands six to nine months of rehabilitation, ruling her out of the Euros. England loses a rising defensive talent just as they were preparing to infuse new energy into the backline.
Millie Bright (England) – Burnout (Physical and Mental)
While not injured in the traditional sense, Millie Bright withdrew from England’s final squad due to long-term physical and mental exhaustion. As vice-captain and a defensive anchor with 88 caps, her absence deprives England of leadership and experience at a crucial point.
Lena Oberdorf (Germany) – ACL & MCL Knee Injury
Germany’s rising midfield star Lena Oberdorf, dubbed the midfield engine, tore her ACL and MCL in the summer of 2024. Although she’s back running in training, she’s not match-ready and will remain out for Euro 2025. Her absence removes Germany’s balance and intensity in midfield.
Ramona Bachmann (Switzerland) – ACL Tear
Host nation Switzerland will miss veteran forward Ramona Bachmann, who suffered an ACL tear in June. With a decade of international experience and crucial goals, her loss robs the Swiss team of both scoring threat and home-grown leadership.
Giulia Dragoni (Italy) – Ankle Deltoid Ligament Operation
AS Roma midfielder Giulia Dragoni underwent surgery on her right ankle deltoid ligament in May, an operation that ended her season prematurely and ruled her out of Italy’s Euro campaign. With little clarity on recovery timelines, Italy loses a creative midfield presence and depth.
Katrín Ásbjörnsdóttir (Iceland) – Hamstring Injury
Iceland winger KatrínÁsbjörnsdóttir picked up a hamstring strain during the final warm-up period and was replaced in the squad. Iceland loses some width and attacking energy from the flanks.
What the Absences Mean
Each player’s injury reshapes their national team:
England
- Missing depth and leadership in the back with Morris gone.
- Bright’s mental and physical withdrawal removes a key experience base.
Germany
- Without Oberdorf, their midfield loses both driving force and tactical balance.
Switzerland
- Bachmann’s absence dents their home-field hopes and cutting edge in attack.
Italy & Iceland
- Dragoni and Ásbjörnsdóttir’s injuries chip away at depth and tactical flexibility for underdog sides.
Beyond the Pitch: The Bigger ACL Story
Three ACL injuries, Morris, Oberdorf, Bachmann, underscore a sobering pattern in the women’s game. Female players are up to six to eight times more likely than men to suffer ACL injuries. Experts attribute hormonal factors, poor pitch conditions, match congestion, and inadequate medical support as key contributors.
Recovery, Resilience & Tournament Adaptation
For teams left with replacements and fresh faces, the Euros become a crucible of adaptation. Yet absence also opens opportunity; newcomers can shine, medical teams are tested, and depth becomes crucial. But for the missing stars, this is a challenging crossroads, a painful entry to injury rehab, watching teammates from the sidelines, and wondering about future careers.
Sources
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/womens-euro-2025-injuries
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9wgj578q7po
https://theglobalherald.com/sport/football/injury-concerns-loom-as-key-players-prepare-for-euro-2025
The Injury Times 
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