Women’s EURO: Tura, Zafferani and Barducci in Basel for forum and final

The senior leadership of the San Marino Football Federation – President Tura and Secretary General Zafferani – accepted UEFA’s invitation to its member associations to attend the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 final in Switzerland. With them, from the eve of the match that confirmed England on top of the Old Continent, was also Raffaele Barducci. The occasion was their participation in the forum dedicated to Unstoppable – UEFA’s new strategic plan and communication campaign for women’s football. Presenter Semra Hunter opened proceedings by involving Giorgio Marchetti and Nadine Kessler, before giving the floor to Glenn Micallef – European Commissioner for intergenerational fairness, youth, culture and sport. With her, the discussion focused on the celebration of the unique values of women’s football and its community, such as its ability to bring together its stars through an inclusive pathway that transcends cultures, borders and generations.

Clare Daniels, Marianne Miettinen and Aleksandra Stojković then led an interactive presentation on the creation of inclusive programmes, development support systems, backing for the women’s grassroots game and genuine engagement of the people Unstoppable is aimed at. The topic of creating opportunities for growth, both within a professional playing career and – with a broader outlook – beyond retirement, was explored in greater depth thanks also to the contribution of Philippe Senderos. The fourth and final pillar of UEFA’s strategic plan for the women’s game is closely tied to the concept of sustainability and investment in the sector. Concrete case studies from industry leaders were presented on stage, as they discussed strategies to make women’s football even more sustainable, economically efficient and attractive to investment.

To conclude, together with Chelsea Women head coach Sonia Bompastor, participants examined at close quarters the latest trends in tactics, pre-match strategies and – in that context – predictions for the UEFA Women’s EURO final which, as we know, ultimately rewarded England. The legacy that debutant associations at a European Championship final tournament will leave within their respective football systems was the final topic of the morning – and certainly not the least important – addressed on the opening day of the forum.

True to its forward-looking approach, UEFA opened the afternoon programme by presenting the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Innovation Programme – supporting the Unstoppable strategy by bringing together partners and Swiss institutions. UEFA Director of Financial Sustainability & Research Andrea Traverso guided participants through the details of the programme, presenting a range of insights into collaborations with the Geneva University of Art and Design, Disney and Amazon – to name but a few.