Skip to main content
Transfer

Wiegman and 'proper England' ready and raring for Sweden clash

Wiegman and 'proper England' ready and raring for Sweden clash

Bagikan

England take on Sweden in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025, with Sarina Wiegman confident her team can edge closer to retaining their crown.

Sarina Wiegman is expecting a difficult game against Sweden in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025, but said her England team were ready and raring to go. 

The Lionesses take on Sweden at the Stadion Letzigrund on Thursday in what is a repeat of the semi-final in the same competition three years ago. 

England emerged 4-0 victors in that clash, in what was their only win against Sweden in their last six meetings across all competitions (D3 L2). 

But Peter Gerhardsson's side have impressed at this year's tournament, winning all three of their Group C fixtures, which included a 4-1 rout of Germany last time out. 

Indeed, in the group stage of Euro 2025, only Sweden can match England in terms of a higher expected goals (xG) figure, with both teams managing 9.3 xG in that metric. 

The Swedes are also one of two teams to eliminate England from the knockout stages of this competition twice, alongside Germany (1984 final, 1987 semi-final).  

"I expect a very competitive game where it is hard to predict the outcome. They have had a very good group stage with the three wins they had," Wiegman said. 

"But I think we are in a very good place, and we are ready to go, so I hope we can show that [on Thursday]."

England's campaign, however, started with a defeat to France, with that loss raising questions about retaining their crown in Switzerland this year. 

That prompted midfielder Georgia Stanway to urge the Lionesses to return to playing as "proper England", something that has become a mantra for Wiegman and her team. 

"Proper England is who we are and what we want to show. Of course, it has something to do with our tactics and how we want to play, but also our behaviour," Wiegman added. 

"How we want to support each other and work really hard and play to our strengths. When we do all of that, I think our chances of winning are at their highest."

Sweden are given just a 26.5% chance of beating England according to Opta's pre-match simulations, while the Lionesses are given a 49.4% win probability. 

The Swedes have won all three of their games at Euro 2025, but have never won four in a row in the competition before.

They have actually won six of their last seven games in the competition, except for that 4-0 loss to England in the semi-finals of Euro 2022. 

But head coach Gerhardsson believes his players can carry their good form into their last eight tie, but acknowledged the quality his team were coming up against. 

"There is a belief that we can win this match, but we also know we might lose, particularly against this kind of opposition," he said. 

"Nothing is obvious when it comes to the outcome."

Gerhardsson highlighted the plethora of attacking talents within Wiegman's ranks, but put particular focus on Lauren James, who starred in England's win over the Netherlands.

James has been directly involved in eight goals in six starts at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros - five goals, three assists), the most of any player across the 2023 World Cup and Euro 2025 (France's Kadidiatou Diani has seven).

The Chelsea attacker has also attempted the most dribbles in England's team (nine), completing a team-high total of three.

In addition, she has created four chances at the tournament, a total only bettered by Alex Greenwood (five), Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo (both seven) for the Lionesses. 

"I can't handle her. James is a special player and I like that kind of player because she has something special," Gerhardsson said. 

"She is doing the things she wants to do on the pitch. As a coach, sometimes you want structure, but I think James makes her own decisions.

"Every coach likes that kind of player. I hope that we can handle her tomorrow."

Wiegman and 'proper England' ready and raring for Sweden clash

England take on Sweden in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025, with Sarina Wiegman confident her team can edge closer to retaining their crown.

Sarina Wiegman is expecting a difficult game against Sweden in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025, but said her England team were ready and raring to go. 

The Lionesses take on Sweden at the Stadion Letzigrund on Thursday in what is a repeat of the semi-final in the same competition three years ago. 

England emerged 4-0 victors in that clash, in what was their only win against Sweden in their last six meetings across all competitions (D3 L2). 

But Peter Gerhardsson's side have impressed at this year's tournament, winning all three of their Group C fixtures, which included a 4-1 rout of Germany last time out. 

Indeed, in the group stage of Euro 2025, only Sweden can match England in terms of a higher expected goals (xG) figure, with both teams managing 9.3 xG in that metric. 

The Swedes are also one of two teams to eliminate England from the knockout stages of this competition twice, alongside Germany (1984 final, 1987 semi-final).  

"I expect a very competitive game where it is hard to predict the outcome. They have had a very good group stage with the three wins they had," Wiegman said. 

"But I think we are in a very good place, and we are ready to go, so I hope we can show that [on Thursday]."

England's campaign, however, started with a defeat to France, with that loss raising questions about retaining their crown in Switzerland this year. 

That prompted midfielder Georgia Stanway to urge the Lionesses to return to playing as "proper England", something that has become a mantra for Wiegman and her team. 

"Proper England is who we are and what we want to show. Of course, it has something to do with our tactics and how we want to play, but also our behaviour," Wiegman added. 

"How we want to support each other and work really hard and play to our strengths. When we do all of that, I think our chances of winning are at their highest."

Sweden are given just a 26.5% chance of beating England according to Opta's pre-match simulations, while the Lionesses are given a 49.4% win probability. 

The Swedes have won all three of their games at Euro 2025, but have never won four in a row in the competition before.

They have actually won six of their last seven games in the competition, except for that 4-0 loss to England in the semi-finals of Euro 2022. 

But head coach Gerhardsson believes his players can carry their good form into their last eight tie, but acknowledged the quality his team were coming up against. 

"There is a belief that we can win this match, but we also know we might lose, particularly against this kind of opposition," he said. 

"Nothing is obvious when it comes to the outcome."

Gerhardsson highlighted the plethora of attacking talents within Wiegman's ranks, but put particular focus on Lauren James, who starred in England's win over the Netherlands.

James has been directly involved in eight goals in six starts at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros - five goals, three assists), the most of any player across the 2023 World Cup and Euro 2025 (France's Kadidiatou Diani has seven).

The Chelsea attacker has also attempted the most dribbles in England's team (nine), completing a team-high total of three.

In addition, she has created four chances at the tournament, a total only bettered by Alex Greenwood (five), Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo (both seven) for the Lionesses. 

"I can't handle her. James is a special player and I like that kind of player because she has something special," Gerhardsson said. 

"She is doing the things she wants to do on the pitch. As a coach, sometimes you want structure, but I think James makes her own decisions.

"Every coach likes that kind of player. I hope that we can handle her tomorrow."

Berita terkait

Norway 1-2 Italy: Girelli scores last-gasp winner to book semi-final spot
FotMob· 27 menit yang lalu

Berita terkait

PertandinganLigaBerita