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On Thursday evening, two of Europe’s heavyweights will arrive in Zurich for what promises to be one of Euro 2025’s most enthralling battles as of yet. While all eyes remain focused on the fixture and minds continue to whirr over which players could prove decisive for either nation, the sheer mention of semi-finals may shock many fans. A lengthy qualification process of a Nations League group stage across the fall and winter of 2023, and a following two rounds of play-offs in February a year later made the opening match on July 2 feel that of a speck on the perpetual horizon of footballing fixtures. However, with the group stage completed and narratives for each nation already spun- and for half, still spinning- the first twenty four matches appear to have flown by.
The business end of the tournament now awaits the remaining eight nations, with Group C winners Sweden hoping to put a stop to an already testing campaign for Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses on Swiss turf. The reigning champions commenced their title defence on July 5, with a disappointing and even slightly concerning performance against France raising unforeseen questions for fans, journalists and pundits alike. Les Bleues’ Delfine Cascarino and Sandy Baltimore had what is typically described as a field day against England fullbacks Jess Carter and Lucy Bronze, who struggled to compete with the pace or skill of either winger for large spells of the match. While only the latter secured her name on the scoresheet after some fine trickery and an even more impressive strike, goalscorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s tap in while unchallenged by a Leah Williamson-gone-wandering proved sufficient in clinching all three points.
The 2-0 deficit and French domination was, however, not only due to England’s defensive instabilities but a midfield three of Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Lauren James which proved incapable of regaining possession and advancing play from the centre of the field. In quite paradoxical fashion, midfielder Sakina Karchaoui was instrumental in France’s build-up play and often got the better of Stanway. The evident contrast in midfield success stems mostly from possession, with England’s continuous handing over of such through misplaced passes proving the third and final factor in how a Walsh consolation and late surge was ultimately futile for the Lionesses.
While they failed to string sequences of passes together in what was a disconcerting display from Wiegman’s side, possession was England’s key to domination over the Dutch. During the France post-mortem, frantic fans had offered their input as to who Wiegman should start, with proposals including a back five, Grace Clinton to replace Stanway in the midfield, and several other striking suggestions. Wiegman’s decision to defy her stubborn, one starting XI per tournament stereotype and instead make two changes proved just the right call.
The Netherlands-born boss chose Ella Toone to replace James in the 10 role, with England’s star player instead starting on the right flank in the place of Beth Mead. While England’s midfield could not gain a foothold in the match against France, the duo of Stanway and Toone ensured history was not to repeat itself days later. The pair provided standout performances in England’s 4-0 victory against the Netherlands, as the latter excelled on the attack and Stanway provided the defensive cover with her robust challenges – while also showcasing her longstanding ability to hit a long range shot as she scored England’s second.
Toone further excelled in England’s 6-1 rout against their noisy neighbours Wales last Sunday, as the Manchester United midfielder recorded a goal and two assists. The 25-year-old was, however, pipped to the player of the match award, with England’s linchpin Walsh being attributed the accolade for dictating the play across her 66 accurate passes.
With the Lionesses midfield now thriving, a quarter-final against Sweden will further test the trio’s ability to take control of proceedings from the centre. Peter Gerhardsson’s side also possess a balanced midfield, with Kosovare Asllani proving the standout. The 35-year-old secured an assist in each of Sweden’s three group stage fixtures, with the timing of her movement and impressive footwork crucial to the Blågult’s success. Her two midfield teammates Filippa Angeldahl and either the creative Hanna Bennison or physical Julia Zigiotti Olme have also impressed. In Sweden’s opening match against Denmark, Angeldahl secured the winning goal, while also showcasing her vision and understanding of when to push up and drop back in her side’s 3-0 victory over Poland and unprecedented 4-1 thrashing of Germany.
It will certainly, therefore, be interesting to see which midfield comes out on top and who Gerhardsson elects to play alongside Angeldahl in the holding role. If the Swedish boss opts for Zigiotti Olme, the player will very much match the talents of Stanway in providing robust challenges to break up the play. While Angeldahl’s vision mirrors that of England’s Walsh, with Asllani and Toone battling it out to be the contest’s superior No.10.
Another area which could prove crucial in the quarter-final is the extent of England’s ability to close down play on the Swedish flanks. While, as aforementioned, Lioness fullbacks Carter and Bronze failed to contain France’s pacy Cascarino and Baltimore, it will be Greenwood’s turn to stifle the advances of Sweden’s star player Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. The majority of the nation’s attacks have come through Kaneryd on the right flank, with the winger’s ability to take players on and deliver a threatening cross toward striker Stina Blackstenius something England will be much aware of. Thankfully for the Lionesses, Wiegman’s subtle swap of left-back Carter for Greenwood has seen both look much more comfortable defensively and offensively ahead of their toughest challenge yet.
It will certainly be tiring work for all 22 players on the pitch, with a final factor to consider that of each nation’s squad depth. While France outmuscled England, substitute forward Michelle Agyemang immediately ruffled the side’s feathers as she proved equal competition for the physical outfit. Meanwhile, a 4-0 lead at half-time against Wales allowed Wiegman to ring the changes. Mead and striker Aggie Beever-Jones impressed with their second half displays, as both provided an assist for the other to score. With an abundance of attacking options at England’s disposal, the side’s impact substitutes could help settle the presumably tight contest. A squad as established as Sweden is not, however, without their own array of more than capable substitutes, as striker Lina Hurtig has already proved with her two goals matching that of Blackstenius.
The quarter-final will, therefore, certainly be an enticing watch, with various elements being vital to either nation advancing in their journey to the title. While history is on the Lionesses’ side with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over the Blågult in the Euro 2022 semi-finals, Sweden will perhaps use their previous heartbreak as an advantage. The nation’s captain for the defeat, Magdalena Eriksson said on the upcoming quarter-final: “We have that game in the back of our mind, knowing that if we’re not ready, if we’re not 100% there, they can punish us.”
The 31-year-old also recognised that “many years have passed since the game” and that both teams are different now. While England captain Williamson echoed Eriksson’s words, her teammate Toone insisted Sweden “should be scared”. The midfielder will hope her warning rings true with the Lionesses performance, otherwise their coveted trophy will be certain to have a new name etched into its plaque.
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