Sarina Wiegman bullish ahead of England's Euro 2025 quarter-final against Sweden – ‘We are in a very good place’

Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman says her players are “ready to go” as they prepare to face Sweden for a place in the Euro 2025 quarter-finals. The defending champions lost their opening group game to France but responded in style to book their spot in the knockout stages. They now have a mouth-watering quarter-final to look forward to on Thursday, with Norway or Italy awaiting the winner.

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England manager Sarina Wiegman cut a confident figure ahead of her side's UEFA Women's Euro 2025 quarter-final against Sweden on Thursday.

Sweden topped Group C with three wins from three over Germany, Poland and Denmark, earning them a clash with the defending champions after England finished second behind France in Group D.

However, after bouncing back from their tournament-opening defeat to France with big wins over the Netherlands and Wales, Wiegman is hopeful the Lionesses can build on that momentum.

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"I expect a very competitive game where it is hard to predict the outcome," she said. "They have had a very good group stage with the three wins they had.

"But I think we are in a very good place and we are ready to go, so I hope we can show that tomorrow."

The shock factor of England’s 2-1 loss to France was matched only by concerns over the performance level on display. The 90 minutes were littered with careless mistakes at the back and little in the way of quality going forward, but Lucy Bronze hailed the way the team responded after the setback.

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In every aspect, the Lionesses were far improved during dominant 4-0 and 6-1 victories over the Netherlands and Wales respectively, re-establishing them among the tournament favourites.

Bronze said: "Coming from the French game, it has brought the team a lot closer together and you saw that in the two performances that came from that.

"We are not focused on the noises around other teams or us, we are only focused on what we do on the training pitch and what we do in-game."

There can be no doubt about the commitment to the cause, whatever the outcome on Thursday.

Bronze, who likes to plough forward when given the chance, said she will "give everything" for her country, and is happy to temper her attacking instincts to get the better of the Swedes.

"I do whatever she [Sarina Wiegman] tells me," insisted the Chelsea right-back. "So if you analyse the game, I am in position to benefit the team.

"I like to attack but I also like to defend, I can do whatever roles are asked of me. We know the threat Sweden have from wide positions but at the same time, we are a good team.

"We don't want to change much and play to our strengths."

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