Sweden will take on England at Zurich’s Stadion Letzigrund on Thursday evening in the second quarter-final of Euro 2025.
Peter Gerhardsson’s Sweden side topped the rankings of Group C after three comprehensive victories against Denmark, Poland Germany. The 1984 winners of the competition will now face off with title holders England for a spot in the Euro 2025 semi-final.
The Lionesses endured a difficult start to the tournament after many questioned their form following a lacklustre performance against France on match day one. However, since then England have flattened both Wales and the Netherlands, scoring 10 goals across the two fixtures.
The last time these two sides met at a major tournament was of course Euro 2022, when England flew past the Swedes to secure a 4-0 semi-final victory at Bramall Lane.
The Halfway Line breaks down some of the key battles to watch in Sweden vs England.
Stina Blackstenius vs Leah Williamson
Club teammates turned rivals, these two Arsenal stars will be hungry for victory in Switzerland. Given the nature of their positions, Blackstenius and Williamson are expected to line up directly against each other for the hit-out.
“She’s a great player and she has been for many years now, her experience speaks for itself, ” Williamson told media ahead of the clash. “We were celebrating her success at Arsenal, but not so much now. Stina is an incredibly powerful footballer and very intelligent with her runs. She’s a hard player to play against in that respect.”
The pace of Blackstenius will certainly threaten the Lionesses in and behind, much like France were able to do on match day one. However, the Swedish striker isn’t just fast, she is in form.
Since scoring the winner that saw Arsenal lift the Champions League back in May, Blackstenius has been at the top of her game. The 29-year-old has scored two goals so far at Euro 2025, as well as a pre-tournament hat-trick against Denmark in late June.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd vs Alex Greenwood
Picking up two ‘Player of the Match’ awards at Euro 2025 thus far, Rytting Kaneryd is in lethal form. Packed with pace and technical prowess, she will be eager to dominate the channels against England.
The Swedish winger poses a real threat to the Lionesses, after the pace of Delphine Cascarino dismantled the side on match day one. However, since England head coach Sarina Wiegman made the decision to play Alex Greenwood at left-back and Jess Carter in the centre, the Lionesses haven’t missed a beat.
Greenwood has the ability to dictate the channel, stick strong defensively and help the Lionesses going forward. As the only left-footer in the Lionesses defence, she is their strongest asset at the back.
Magdalena Eriksson vs Alessia Russo
Having not played a minute in Sweden’s opening two fixtures of Euro 2025, Eriksson returned for the fixture against Germany and docked a full 90. The experienced defender offers Sweden a strong sense of leadership at the back, something they will be eager to draw from in the test against the Lionesses.
However, experience won’t mean much when you are coming up against someone as good as Alessia Russo. With three assists and a goal to her name, Russo is in top form. The Lionesses striker will be a priceless asset for England and will seek to use her physical hold up play to split open the Swedish defence.
Jonna Andersson vs Lauren James
There is no one at Euro 2025 that matches the flair and excitement of Lauren James. Her ball carrying ability is next to none, and time seems to slow when she has the ball at her feet.
Since her move to right wing, James has offered England everything and more. Linköpings defender Jonna Andersson has the hard task of matching her, and will need to ensure she allows James no breathing room to work her magic.
You can read all of the latest news, analysis and opinion at Euro 2025 on The Halfway Line.
