Latest news from QueenBallers

Norway will kick off Euro with a match against Switzerland. Frida Maanum will also be playing for Norway. She is the top scorer in the qualifiers and the reigning European champion with Arsenal. What is her story?

• Frida grew up in Baerum, a suburb west of Oslo known for its stability and middle-class life—an ideal environment that supported her football journey.
• Her older sister Hanna, also a talented player, spent most of her career at Stabaek and always spoke highly of Frida’s potential. Hanna’s career was unfortunately cut short by injury. She later studied psychology.
• Though she stayed only about eight months in Stabaek  before transferring to Linköping, Frida left a lasting impression thanks to her talent and character.

Learn more abiut Frida here. 

The Euro, which begins on 2 July, is being held in Switzerland. The tournament will kick off with a match between the Swiss national team and Norway. The Swiss team is led by captain Lia Wälti. What is her story?

• Lia Wälti became the first girl to train with BSC Young Boys’ U16 boys’ team in 2009. Her ability to read the game, close spaces, and win possession led coaches to accelerate her development.
• After four years at Young Boys, Wälti moved to Turbine Potsdam (2013–2018) and then signed for Arsenal in 2018, winning the WSL (2019), two League Cups, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League (2025).

Explore Lia's full story here.

• Sweden's Magdalena Eriksson and Denmark's captain Pernille Harder will face each other in the Euros—a scenario they had hoped to avoid but now embrace as an exciting challenge.
• However, this will not be the first time for them. Sweden and Denmark have already played each other this season in the Nations League. Both teams bet that the loser would have to wash the dishes at home.
• Magda and Pernille have been a couple since 2014, when they played together for Linköping. They played together for Chelsea and now for Bayern Munich, with whom they won the title.

Explore their story here. 

Sweden has the oldest team in the tournament on average. However, 20-year-old Ellen Wangerheim, who plays for Hammarby, is Sweden's rising star. Manchester City and Wolfsburg are reportedly interested in her. Here is her story:

• She made a comeback back to pitch after a 382-day absence from football, marking a challenging and emotional journey through injury and recovery.
• The article emphasizes her mental determination and the emotional grind behind her physical rehab—underscoring her commitment to return stronger.

Find more here. 

The Euro kicks off on Wednesday, 2 July. The Guardian has published a list of players who are on track to become the top scorers of the European Championship.

• Alessia Russo (England, 26)
  Entering Euro in peak form, Russo claimed a share of the WSL Golden Boot with 12 goals and was Arsenal’s top scorer in the Champions League—bringing aerial strength, pressing intensity, and leadership to England’s front line.
• Lea Schüller (Germany, 27)
  The instinctive Bayern striker netted 16 goals last season, including a DFB-Pokal final hat-trick, and was Germany’s leading scorer at the Olympics and Nations League—providing a focal point in their attack.
• Clàudia Pina (Spain, 23)
  Technical brilliance marked her season—24 goals across competitions, Champions League’s top scorer, and a pivotal cameo in the semi-final vs Chelsea. Her national resurgence adds potency to Spain’s attack.

But the list is longer, find out more players here. 

• American international midfielder Kristie Mewis officially departed West Ham United as her contract expired and she moves on from the London club.
• Mewis is dating australian international Sam Kerr. She gave birth to their son, Jagger, in May 2025, and club manager Rehanne Skinner highlighted that parenthood has now rightly become her priority.

Read the full story.

• Prince William, patron of the FA, made a surprise appearance at St George’s Park, to suprise The Lionesses before the start of European championship.
• He spoke warmly about Princess Charlotte’s interest in goalkeeping and shared that his children have received personalized Lionesses jerseys—underscoring the royal family's ongoing connection to the game.

Find the full story here.

• Bayern Munich Women's team made Arianna Caruso’s winter loan move from Juventus permanent, securing her on a contract running through 2028.
• The 25-year-old Italy international joined on loan in February 2025, contributing in seven appearances, and quickly earned praise for her leadership and technical quality.

Learn more here.