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- Williamson wary of ‘relentless’ Sweden
- Wants to see more respect for opponents
- Determined to seal spot in semi-finals
Sarina Wiegman’s squad bounced back from an opening loss to فرنسا by hammering the Netherlands and Wales in their remaining group stage fixtures, but the challenge ahead promises to be a whole new level. Sweden arrive at the quarter-finals in top form, having dominated Group C with three consecutive wins. Their emphatic 4-1 triumph over Germany in their final group match turned heads across Europe, further cementing their status as a tournament powerhouse.
Since 2017, Sweden have reached the quarter-finals in every major tournament, a feat only matched by England and France. Their record includes six wins from their last seven Euro matches, the only blemish being a 4-0 loss to England in the semi-finals of Euro 2022.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Williamson was full of admiration for Thursday’s opponents. She acknowledged Sweden’s consistency and discipline, suggesting that they don’t always get the praise they merit.
“Sweden’s previous results at tournaments are incredible. They are relentless when it comes to tournament football,” said Williamson.
“Maybe ‘disrespectful’ is too strong a word, but I do think they deserve a little bit more recognition. When you have a team who work for each other like Sweden, then you don’t need to necessarily have a crazy standout threat because everyone plays their roles. They are hard to prepare for in that sense. The discipline for them all to complete their jobs on the pitch makes them a dangerous side.”
After a slow start to their campaign, England appears to be hitting their stride just when it matters most. Following a disappointing defeat to France in their opening group game, the Lionesses turned things around in style, first by dispatching the Netherlands 4-0 and then dismantling Wales with a dominant 6-1 victory.
As both teams prepare for their quarter-final clash under the lights in Zurich, there is a palpable sense that this could be one of the standout matches of Euro 2025. For players like Stina Blackstenius and Kosovare Asllani, this match presents a chance to avenge that painful semi-final defeat and push their country one step closer to European glory. England may have the momentum, but Sweden carries the aura of a battle-hardened side and could pose the biggest hurdle the Lionesses face yet.
