By Santiago Carneri
Benidorm will be one of just three cities in Spain chosen to host an official fan zone during the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. The Costa Blanca’s tourism capital will join in the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the Spanish national team as they compete in the continental championship, with a free fan space set up on Friday 11 July for supporters to watch the crucial match between Spain and Italy live.
The event will take place in Plaza de SS.MM. los Reyes from 7pm, featuring a full programme of entertainment and activities for all ages. Although the match — to be held at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, Switzerland — kicks off at 9pm, festivities will begin much earlier, with a DJ, interactive games, freestyle football displays and official merchandise giveaways. A large turnout is expected, as both tourists and local residents are set to enjoy what promises to be a lively evening lasting until around 11pm.
Since their appearance at the last Women’s Euro, held in England in 2022 — where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by the host nation and eventual champions — Spain’s women’s football team has undergone a historic transformation, marked by unprecedented sporting success and significant internal changes.
FIFA Women’s World Cup
The team’s most notable achievement came in August 2023, when they were crowned world champions at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Spain defeated strong sides such as the Netherlands and Sweden in the knockout rounds and went on to beat England 1–0 in the final, with Olga Carmona scoring the decisive goal to secure the nation’s first ever senior women’s title.
Goalkeeper Cata Coll, midfielder Aitana Bonmatà — named player of the tournament and later awarded the 2023 Ballon d’Or — and forward Salma Paralluelo were among the standout figures in that historic triumph.
However, this sporting success coincided with a period of major institutional upheaval. The moment that brought tensions to a head came during the trophy presentation, when then-president of the Spanish FA (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, kissed player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. The act sparked international outrage and triggered a nationwide debate about sexism in Spanish football. Rubiales eventually resigned, and head coach Jorge Vilda was dismissed shortly afterwards.
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