Laia Cervelló Herrero

Spain may not have won – but at least this tournament shows how much has changed For years, Spain's players were hampered by a lack of off-field support. But Euro 2025 showed their fight for elite conditions has paid off

The world champions may have lost to England in the final but this summer represents a huge step forward for the women's game in Spain.

📝 @laiacervello.bsky.social

Will Patri Guijarro be the next Spain midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or? In both the men’s and women’s game, Spanish midfielders have a hold over the award. Guijarro could be next in line

Forgot to post this the other day...a profile of Patri Guijarro, probably the most consistent player at Euro 2025. With @laiacervello.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

Spain may not have won - but at least this tournament shows how much has changed

Spain did not win the final, but this Euro felt different.

The soundtrack in the dressing room was 'El principio de algo' (the beginning of something) by La La Love You and this is just what this Euro was.

All the changes Spain has made in 2 years.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

Paralluelo interview: 'I couldn't give my all because of the pain. I had to stop'

Paralluelo is in front of the chance of winning the only title she has yet to win, and at just 21 years old: the Euros.

Months ago she had to take a break, her body simply couldn't take any more.

I chatted with her about how giving up athletics affected her body.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

The Barcelona effect on Spain: The pros and cons of a club dominating the national side

One of the secrets of Spain's success is having a core group of players from the same team behind it, and that team is one of the best in Europe, FC Barcelona.

How many FC Barcelona players play for Spain?

Why is that, and what are the pros and cons?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...

Aitana Bonmati interview: 'I found myself in a situation of suffering. You feel alone'

Aitana Bonmati is in great shape for the final stretch of the Euro and we interviewed her before she faces Switzerland.

This is how she experienced the meningitis she suffered days before the start of the Euro.

How was her prodigious recovery?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...

The Spain-born player who earned a last-minute call-up... for Switzerland

The case of Laia Balleste is an interesting story. She has dual Spanish and Swiss nationality, and decided to play for Switzerland.

A Swiss grandfather who had to move to Catalonia due to illness.

An emotional debt to her maternal family.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...

Was Del Castillo's equaliser for Spain the best goal of the Women's Euros so far?

I keep thinking about Alexia's flick and Athenea's goal. Is it the best goal of this Euro so far? I wrote about it after the match.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...

Thanks for sharing!

Can Barcelona really return to the Camp Nou next month?

Barça will return to Camp Nou this season.

We explain what the return will be like and the questions that still remain to be answered.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...

Switzerland's Sydney Schertenleib, an Instagram DM and why Barca wasted no time signing her

One of Barça's most promising young talents is playing this Euro at home: Sydney Schertenleib.

We spoke to the scout who discovered her in 2022 and how negotiations began with a DM on Instagram:

"You didn’t need a special eye because she stood out so much".

www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...

Nico Williams turns down Barcelona transfer, signs eight-year Athletic extension

Plot twist of events: Nico has renewed for Athletic Club for 10 years

www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...

With Jenni Hermoso left out, who will be Spain’s star striker at Euro 2025? Hermoso was key at the World Cup in 2023, scoring three times and winning the Silver Ball award for the second-best player of the tournament

Today Spain makes its Euro debut, and it does so without Jennifer Hermoso. Without her, who is the team's next top scorer? Here are my candidates.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...

Why Irene Paredes will miss Spain’s Euro 2025 opener – for a red card received 12 months ago Paredes, 33, will serve the second of a two-game suspension during Thursday's group stage fixture.

Spain defender Irene Paredes will miss her side’s 2025 European Championship opener against Portugal due to a red card she received 12 months earlier.

More from @laiacervello.bsky.social ⬇️

The Radar - Women's Euro 2025: The Athletic picks 25 players to watch

And here is the radar of the competition, made by The Athletic's women's football writters. A lot of hard work and a lot of analysis. I leave you the link below 👇🏼

www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...

Euro 2025: Spain team guide - have things finally settled for the World Cup winners?

So Euros have officially started. Spain makes its debut tomorrow against Portugal and here is a guide to everything you need to know.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...

Spain's Bonmati diagnosed with viral meningitis ahead of Euro 2025

I'm back from holiday with some bad news...

www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...

Barcelona's title-winners – by the early coaches who helped shape them

Barcelona are back on top thanks to a group of players that made the fans believe again.

We spoke to some of their first coaches to hear about this group of champions’ early years in football…

www.nytimes.com/athletic/638...

The five moments that defined Barcelona’s La Liga-winning season It has been a brilliant season for Barca. Here, we chart the ups and downs of their title triumph...

Barça was the best team in La Liga and the winner of the “honest title”. These are the 5 moments that defined the season:

◾️The Clásico of the offsides
◾️Shit November
◾️The comebacks
◾️Kounde's goal in the CR final
◾️Yamal's blossoming against Inter

www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...

Barcelona lost to Inter, but won back respect – this is ‘the beginning of the comeback’ While Barcelona's treble dreams may have been dashed, this loss is by no means a catastrophe for Hansi Flick's team - there is more to come

Barça is out of the Champions League, but they did so to the applause of fans who proudly bid farewell to their European campaign.

‘Where others see the end, we see the beginning of the comeback,’ Iñigo said after the game.

And, in fact, we all agree.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/633...

How Barca could win a treble of trebles across men's, women's, youth teams

Triplete is one of the most repeated words in Barcelona since the Copa del Rey final. Barça could win it again but that's not all.

The club could achieve a treble of trebles in its men's, women's and youth team (already achieved)

When could that happen?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...

Barcelona have taken their first step towards a treble. Can they do it?

Barcelona has won the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid and taken the first step towards regaining the treble.

Kounde, the unexpected hero.

‘Viva la vida’ rang out once again in celebration, the soundtrack to Pep Guardiola's treble.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/631...

Leo Román is playing the game of his life. Barça could easily be 4-0 up but they are 1-0 instead.

Ansu Fati is a starter against Mallorca.

Lamine Yamal and Gavi are at the Estadi Johan Cruyff watching the women's team play the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals. Club players.

Gavi isn't a regular starter for Barcelona right now but is embracing his role

Yesterday Flick again chose Fermin over Gavi in Leganes.

How is Gavi managing this season after returning from injury?

His new role and his special relationship with Hansi Flick.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/627...

Lamine Yamal is a superstar at 17. Barcelona and Flick need to look after him for the run-in Lamine Yamal shone for Barcelona against Borussia Dortmund as they won 4-0 on Wednesday evening

Lamine Yamal is 17 years old and is already a superstar. A talent that goes beyond figures and statistics.

Barcelona are inches away from the Champions League semi-finals, and so is Yamal.

His elegant finish in the 4-0 and his game against BD 👇

www.nytimes.com/athletic/626...

Explained: Why a Spanish court overturned Dani Alves' prison sentence for sexual assault

Together with a lawyer, we explain the details of the new sentence for Dani Alves that absolves him of the crime of sexual assault 13 months after being sentenced to 4 years in prison.

Why did the sentence make a 180 degree turn?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...

Gavi has been very involved in the team's needs despite the fact that his prominence has diminished this season. He accept it, he work for the team without losing Flick's trust. What a well-deserved goal!

Agree. Probably the toughest rival Barcelona will face before playing the LaLiga Clásico.