According to FBref, only Portugal’s Inês Pereira (0.4 goals saved per 90) has averaged a better goals-saved rate than Rúnarsdóttir in Europe’s top five leagues this season. With an 82% save percentage, she allowed nine fewer goals than expected based on the post-shot expected goals model.
At 6-foot-2, she is tall but has excellent reflexes to pull off saves from close range and is also quick to get down low when needed. But there are still areas to improve. She doesn’t often adopt a proactive approach to stopping opposition crosses by coming out to claim the ball, and her ability to punch clear isn’t the most reassuring either.
Still, at just 21, she looks set to become a mainstay for Iceland for years to come.
Ellen Wangerheim gives Sweden another dimension up front. Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images Wangerheim has been making waves in Sweden since the start of 2025 and the young Hammarby striker has already scored 10 goals in 10 games for her club so far in the Damallsvenskan.
The 21-year-old shares a lot of traits with her compatriot Stina Blackstenius , who scored the winner for Arsenal in this year’s UEFA Champions League final vs. Barcelona, and her main strength is her movement, which allows her to attack a defender’s blind side and appear unmarked at the far post.
Wangerheim has an innate understanding of the timing and path of runs in behind, allowing her to consistently get on the end of high-quality chances. Her pace is also key in being able to generate an extra yard of space for a shot and, despite being 5-foot-6, she is also able to get on the end of crosses and offer an aerial threat.
She has room to improve her ball striking, success rate in duels, and decision making under pressure. But in a Sweden attack that primarily relies on stars from the FIFA Women’s World Cup six years ago, Wangerheim is a breath of fresh air and will help exploit tired defenses this summer.
Poland have qualified for their first-ever major competition and while all eyes will be on her Barcelona teammate and Europe’s top goal scorer this season, Ewa Pajor , Szymczak will be tasked with helping to keep things tight at the other end.
The young midfielder-turned-defender has been involved in the lead up to the tournament, playing a part in Poland’s qualifying games against Austria , and has 10 caps for her country despite not making a senior appearance for Barcelona yet.
Szymczak’s main strength lies in her ball-playing ability. She loves to orchestrate play from deep, has the range and vision to launch accurate long balls, and can springboard her side from defense to attack with one swift pass. But she also has a good reading of the game, which allows her to position herself well to disrupt opposition attacks, and is not afraid to use her physicality to bully players off the ball and be aggressive to win her duels.
Of course, at 19 and with little senior experience, she isn’t a finished product yet and can improve her shielding of the ball better, as well as her 1-vs.-1 battles. But if Poland are to continue making history at Euro 2025, she will surely play a large part.
