The European Championships quarter-final clash between England and Sweden is a repeat of the 2022 semi-final in the same competition, a game England won 4-0 en route to lifting the trophy. The English will hope it’s a similar story here after a mixed bag at the Euros thus far.
Manager Sarina Wiegman entered the tournament with a remarkable Euros record of 12 wins out of 12 but all that would change in England’s opening game when they lost 2-1 to an excellent France side. It seems to have been the wake-up call the holders needed and, in their two group games since, England have scored 10 goals and conceded just once. They will also take heart from the fact that it often seems those teams that emerge triumphant at tournaments open with a disappointing result.
The 4-0 win over the Netherlands followed by the 6-1 thumping of Wales ensured England finished runners-up in the group and were, oddly enough, rewarded with perhaps an easier route to the final than if they’d topped the group. Spain, France and Germany are all on the other half of the draw while the winner of this quarter-final takes on Italy, which advanced past Norway in a meeting of tournament long shots.
Sweden are not to be underestimated, though, having won all three of their group stage matches. The last of those, a 4-1 drubbing of Germany, was a statement victory that made abundantly clear the Swedes are not in Switzerland simply to make up the numbers.
All the talk before the tournament was about Wiegman’s flawless record and it seemed almost inevitable that the French would spring a shock. There was a feeling that the England boss got the big decisions wrong in that opener but she has more than steadied the ship and got things spot on tactically for the rest of the group stage, the reward a clash against a team England have met regularly in recent years.
England’s starters were the same for their last two matches and likely it will be the same team again. Lauren James out wide and Ella Toone retaining her place after having been overlooked for the opener.
England vs Sweden odds
Odds via Betfair
- England win: 6/5
- Draw: 12/5
- Sweden win: 13/5
Time: Thursday, 8 p.m. BST (3 p.m. ET)
Venue: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
Prediction
England 2, Sweden 1
The consensus is that England might have gotten lucky by finishing second in the group and the Swedes will undoubtedly look to punish any hubris. The teams have played twice since the last Euros and both matches ended in draws (1-1 and 0-0) so this one could go the distance. England and their manager have the experience of going all the way, though, and that can make all the difference in tournament football so the Lionesses could just edge it.
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(Photo of Georgia Stanway: Fabrice Coffrini / AFP via Getty Images)
