By Nicole Powell
Sarina Wiegman has called for “a proper England” performance as the Lionesses gear up for a heavyweight quarter-final clash with Sweden at the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro.
The Dutch manager, calm but assertive in her pre-match press conference, echoed Georgia Stanway’s rallying cry, making it clear that the time for hesitation is over.
A tough test awaits
England head into the eagerly awaited clash off the back of a goal-laden group stage, but Wiegman knows that Sweden – unbeaten so far – will be the toughest test yet.
“It’s going to be what kind of game we expect. I expect a very competitive game where it’s very hard to predict the outcome. They’ve had a very good group stage series in the three games that they had,” she said.
“But I think we are in a very good place too. We’re ready to go, so hopefully we can show that.”
The Lionesses’ head coach dismissed any concerns over complacency, insisting that the squad are ready.
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Focus, fitness, and collective strength
Wiegman underlined the importance of unity and focus, pointing to her side’s evolution throughout the tournament.
After a rocky start in the ‘group of death’, England found rhythm and ruthlessness, and now face their Scandinavian rivals with momentum on their side.
The emphasis, though, wasn’t on individual brilliance, but collective execution.
“Of course it has something to do with our tactics and how we want to play but also our behaviours. 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.”
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