Italy’s women’s national football team is just one win away from reaching the European Championship final, a remarkable milestone coming only three years after the sport became professional in the country.
The Azzurre, led by veteran captain Cristiana Girelli, secured a 2-1 victory over Norway last week in the Euro 2025 quarter-finals. Girelli scored both goals, helping Italy reach its first semi-final at the tournament in 28 years.
Italy will now face defending champions England on Tuesday in Geneva for a chance to reach the final.
After the win over Norway, Girelli reflected on the team’s journey and the wider meaning of their success.
“It’s a great joy to be among the top four in Europe,” she said. “We know how important this is for Italy, and especially for the new generations. We do this for ourselves, but there’s a deeper meaning—we want to show that women can play soccer too.”
Until 2022, Italian female players were classified as amateurs under a 1981 law, limiting them to a maximum salary of 30,000 euros ($32,000) before taxes. Players had no access to social security, pensions, or medical protections for injuries and maternity leave.
That changed in April 2022, when Italy’s football federation approved new rules allowing female players to sign professional contracts starting July 1 of that year. Since then, the women’s game has made steady progress.
For many players like Girelli, the shift to professionalism was life-changing. Before 2022, several national team members worked part-time jobs in hospitality to support their football careers.
“There were difficult years where we really suffered a lot,” Girelli said.
Italy’s rise in women’s football gained momentum after the team’s surprise quarter-final run at the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Support from major clubs like Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma, and Lazio also helped grow the domestic game.
Though progress has been slower than in countries like England, France, and Spain, Italy is now showing it can compete on the international stage. Under coach Andrea Soncin, the team has enjoyed a strong Euro 2025 campaign.
“It’s something magical,” Girelli said. “Since arriving in Switzerland, and since the coach took charge, I’ve felt something special. And you know, women are never wrong with their feelings.”
Back home, public interest is growing. Italy’s quarter-final match against Norway attracted 2.4 million television viewers, with a 16.2% audience share. That number is expected to be even higher for Tuesday’s semi-final.
“We hope this love and support doesn’t disappear,” Girelli said. “We’ve reached something extraordinary, and however it goes, I hope this continues to build passion for women’s football in Italy.”
