Wiegman and ´correct England´ prepared and raring for Sweden conflict

Sarina Wiegman is anticipating a troublesome recreation in opposition to Sweden within the quarter-finals of Euro 2025, however mentioned her England workforce had been prepared and raring to go.

The Lionesses tackle Sweden on the Stadion Letzigrund on Thursday in what’s a repeat of the semi-final in the identical competitors three years in the past.

England emerged 4-0 victors in that conflict, in what was their solely win in opposition to Sweden of their final six conferences throughout all competitions (D3 L2).

However Peter Gerhardsson’s aspect have impressed at this yr’s match, profitable all three of their Group C fixtures, which included a 4-1 rout of Germany final trip.

Certainly, within the group stage of Euro 2025, solely Sweden can match England when it comes to a better anticipated targets (xG) determine, with each groups managing 9.3 xG in that metric.

The Swedes are additionally one in all two groups to remove England from the knockout levels of this competitors twice, alongside Germany (1984 ultimate, 1987 semi-final).

“I count on a really aggressive recreation the place it’s exhausting to foretell the end result. They’ve had an excellent group stage with the three wins that they had,” Wiegman mentioned.

“However I feel we’re in an excellent place, and we’re able to go, so I hope we are able to present that [on Thursday].”

England’s marketing campaign, nonetheless, began with a defeat to France, with that loss elevating questions on retaining their crown in Switzerland this yr.

That prompted midfielder Georgia Stanway to induce the Lionesses to return to enjoying as “correct England”, one thing that has grow to be a mantra for Wiegman and her workforce.

“Correct England is who we’re and what we need to present. After all, it has one thing to do with our techniques and the way we need to play, but additionally our behaviour,” Wiegman added.

“How we need to help one another and work actually exhausting and play to our strengths. Once we do all of that, I feel our possibilities of profitable are at their highest.”

Sweden are given only a 26.5% likelihood of beating England in keeping with Opta’s pre-match simulations, whereas the Lionesses are given a 49.4% win chance.

The Swedes have received all three of their video games at Euro 2025, however have by no means received 4 in a row within the competitors earlier than.

They’ve really received six of their final seven video games within the competitors, aside from that 4-0 loss to England within the semi-finals of Euro 2022.

However head coach Gerhardsson believes his gamers can carry their good type into their final eight tie, however acknowledged the standard his workforce had been developing in opposition to.

“There’s a perception that we are able to win this match, however we additionally know we’d lose, significantly in opposition to this sort of opposition,” he mentioned.

“Nothing is clear in terms of the end result.”

Fullt fokus på torsdagens kvartsfinal mot England pic.twitter.com/69OwPDzIPY

— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) July 15, 2025

Gerhardsson highlighted the plethora of attacking abilities inside Wiegman’s ranks, however put explicit deal with Lauren James, who starred in England’s win over the Netherlands.

James has been instantly concerned in eight targets in six begins at main tournaments (World Cup/Euros – 5 targets, three assists), essentially the most of any participant throughout the 2023 World Cup and Euro 2025 (France’s Kadidiatou Diani has seven).

The Chelsea attacker has additionally tried essentially the most dribbles in England’s workforce (9), finishing a team-high complete of three.

As well as, she has created 4 probabilities on the match, a complete solely bettered by Alex Greenwood (5), Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo (each seven) for the Lionesses.

“I can’t deal with her. James is a particular participant and I like that form of participant as a result of she has one thing particular,” Gerhardsson mentioned.

“She is doing the issues she desires to do on the pitch. As a coach, typically you need construction, however I feel James makes her personal selections.

“Each coach likes that form of participant. I hope that we are able to deal with her tomorrow.”