France Women coach Laurent Bonadei described Germany as a “benchmark” opponent ahead of their quarter-final clash at the Women’s Euro 2025.

Having qualified from the group stages with a 100 per cent record, including impressive wins over England and Netherlands, France are now gearing up for the last-eight contest in Basel.

Germany are a powerhouse of European football having won the competition on eight occasions but France have scored 11 goals with nine different scorers from three games.

Speaking ahead of the game, Bonadei said: “This is a new summit, a new challenge.

“After England and the Netherlands, here comes Germany. They are a benchmark opponent. But it’s also a fantastic opportunity to grow.

“I scheduled a tough match against Brazil just before the finals precisely to prepare for this type of encounter. It’s in these big moments that we see if we’ve taken the next step. And our young players need that.”

One last SF ticket up for grabs!#WEURO2025 pic.twitter.com/bwOlOhcJ5a

— UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 19, 2025

Germany were hammered 4-1 by Sweden in their final pool game in a match where Carlotta Wamser was sent off.

Consequently, coach Christian Wueck described the French as favourites to progress but emphasised the need to put the Sweden disappointment firmly out of their minds.

“If you look at the raw numbers, the French won nine points in the group stage, we won six, that’s why I think the French are the favourites,” Wueck said.

“It’s incredibly important that the disappointment from that (group) game against Sweden is now gone.

“I think we’ve managed to ensure that we’re not just looking forward to this quarter-final, but that we’re approaching this knockout phase in such a way that it’s now really clear to us that the performance on the pitch will decide whether we stay in the tournament or not.”