Sarina Wiegman’s England Women continue the defence of their Women’s European Championship crown against Sweden Women on Thursday at 8pm (UK time).
England Women predicted lineup vs Sweden Women
England Women (4-2-3-1): Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Carter, Greenwood; Walsh, Stanway; James, Toone, Hemp; Russo.
The Lionesses had a rough start to the tournament, beaten by France in their opening group stage game. Some counted them out from there, with a tough second match against the Netherlands. But England won that match 4-0 to put their knockout stage destiny firmly in their own hands.
Another big win over Wales in their final group game sealed England’s spot in the quarter-finals, though they did have to settle for second. And that set up this tie against surprise Group C winners Sweden.
England Women team news vs Sweden Women
Wiegman doesn’t tend to change her side at major tournaments. And she looks to have settled on her favoured XI. Beth Mead started the opening defeat against France but has dropped to the bench since, replaced by Ella Toone.
Toone’s arrival at No.10 has allowed Lauren James to be pushed back out onto the right, where she can influence the game a lot more. And England have already reaped the rewards for that.
Lauren Hemp will join Toone and James in an attacking trio playing just behind striker Alessia Russo. England have thrived in attack with the fluidity of the front four, something they’ve missed for a long time. Toone was booked in the opening game against France so is still walking the suspension tightrope.
The only other change from the opening defeat to France was not a personnel one. After seeing Jess Carter struggle at left-back, Wiegman opted to switch her to centre-back, with Alex Greenwood pushed out wide.
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That will likely be the case once again, with Leah Williamson and Lucy Bronze making up the rest of the defence. Hannah Hampton will play in goal.
And after a poor first match, the partnership of Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh has grown in the double pivot. There shouldn’t be a change here.
What does history say about England’s chances?
Women’s Euro 1997 was the first edition of the tournament to include the group stage. In the eight tournaments since — including Women’s Euro 1997 — the eventual winner has been a group winner six times. The only two exceptions were Germany in 1997 and 2013, who finished second in their group on both occasions.
Of course, the history is skewed a little bit by the fact that Germany dominated women’s European football — winning six tournaments in a row. However, slightly worrying for England is the fact no team has lost their opening game at a Women’s European Championship and gone on to win the trophy (since the addition of a group stage).
Germany drew their opening game in both 1997 and 2013, and they only lost a group match in the latter tournament. But four points from three games was enough for them to secure second. More recently, at Euro 2022, all four of the quarter-finals were won by the group winners.