Tournament ambassador Lara Dickenmann looking forward to UEFA Women's EURO 2025
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
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With an ambitious legacy plan and a record prize money pot, Swiss football legend Lara Dickenmann is looking forward to a UEFA Women EURO 2025 to remember.
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UEFA Women's EURO 2025 ambassador Lara Dickenmann was on hand to discover Switzerland's group stage opponents at the final draw in Lausanne this week.
The 39-year-old conducted the draw alongside a number of other prestigious players who have represented their country at a EURO, including Leonardo Bonucci, Verónica Boquete, Sami Khedira, Jill Scott, Caroline Seger, Xherdan Shaqiri and Raphaël Varane.
Dickenmann hung up her boots in 2021 after making 135 appearances and scoring 53 goals for Switzerland, but will keep a keen eye on the host nation as they take on Norway, Iceland and Finland in the group stages.
"I've been excited ever since we knew the tournament would be hosted by Switzerland," she said. "As a former player, my heart is with the Swiss women's football team. I'm looking forward to watching every game, but especially Switzerland's matches."
Accelerating the growth of women's football in Switzerland
With Switzerland set to welcome Europe's best female players, Dickenmann is hopeful Women's EURO 2025 can significantly advance the development of women's football in the country at both a grassroots and elite level.
This will be facilitated by UEFA and the Swiss Football Association (SFA)’s joint legacy plan, 'Here to Stay'.
"One of the goals of the legacy programme is for the number of girls and women playing football in Switzerland to double, from 40,000 to 80,000," explained Dickenmann, who won the UEFA Women’s Champions League twice with Lyon and scored in the 2011 final.
"Of course, someone needs to take care of these girls, so the aim is also to get more coaches and referees, as well as building the necessary infrastructure."
"I'm really hoping the tournament can grow and develop women's football across the entire country."
Alongside doubling the number of female players, referees and coaches in Switzerland, 'Here to Stay' will aim to promote the next generation of young footballers and strengthen the standards, venues and visibility of the national Women's Super League.
The SFA will also encourage structural changes at a social level to improve the representation of women in football and build capacity for new female leaders.
Record Women's EURO prize money
Excitement for Women's EURO 2025 ramped up as the 16 participating teams were drawn into their four groups.
On the same day, UEFA and adidas unveiled the official tournament match ball, named KONEKTIS, while a record Women's EURO prize pot was also announced, with players to receive a guaranteed share of the rewards for the first time.
The UEFA Executive Committee approved a total €41 million prize money pot, representing a 156% increase on the figure from 2022, while club benefits payments are set to increase to €6 million.
With the tournament shaping up to be the biggest and best sporting event Switzerland has ever hosted, Dickenmann believes Women’s EURO 2025 presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for players.
"If I were 10 years younger, I would give anything to be in it," she reflected.