England building 'urgency' - are they ready for Sweden?

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England secured their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025 impressively with a decisive win against Wales - but are they prepared to advance further?

Their intentions were made clear in Switzerland, as they triumphed over Wales with a score of 6-1, following an essential 4-0 victory against the Netherlands.

However, the journey has not been entirely straightforward - a 2-1 defeat to France in their opening game set them on the back foot - yet England is gaining momentum.

Their next challenge comes on Thursday at 20:00 BST against Sweden, reminiscent of the Euro 2022 semi-final, as England aims to defend their title.

How has England’s experience in the tournament unfolded thus far?

The group stages reflected both England's strengths and weaknesses, as France took advantage of defensive lapses, spurring them on for the subsequent matches.

Reeling from their initial loss, the Lionesses committed to making their impact on the field - and they delivered.

They followed up with commanding wins against the Netherlands and Wales, finishing second in their group, thus avoiding a challenging quarter-final matchup with Germany and a potential clash with reigning champions Spain or the host nation, Switzerland, in the semi-finals.

Where they placed in the group didn't seem to concern manager Sarina Wiegman - at least not overtly - but she appreciated the "urgency" brought on by the defeat to France.

"That really united us and everyone was eager to perform and succeed," she expressed.

"In the match against the Netherlands, we truly generated urgency and momentum by playing excellently and utilizing our strengths."

"That loss ignited a sense of urgency, and I believe the team responded remarkably. Now, hopefully, we can demonstrate that once again against Sweden."

England showcased their dominance in their victories against the Netherlands and Wales, netting a total of 10 goals and exhibiting some of their finest attacking football.

Lauren James emerged as a standout performer, Ella Toone confirmed her place in the starting line-up, and Alessia Russo contributed significantly in the forward position.

"It might not seem so at the time, but [the loss to France] was perhaps the best thing for us as a team and it drove us," remarked England forward Beth Mead.

"We had tough conversations and sorted things out. You don't win or lose a tournament based on the first match."

"Now we find ourselves in a position where we’re developing quite well."

Midfielder Keira Walsh noted that their "slow start" may have "spurred them into action" but they discovered the confidence and bravery that had been absent in Zurich.

It would have been a major disappointment if England had not advanced to the knockout stages, but having emerged from the most challenging group in the tournament, Georgia Stanway indicated it was a cause for celebration.

"There have been numerous moments during this tournament where we could have been sent home. To be staying for a few more days is something to take pride in," she stated.

What are the significant choices facing Wiegman?

Wiegman has a lot on her mind as she prepares for the quarter-finals.

She faced criticism for her tactics in the initial loss, where James took on the number 10 position and England's midfield was overwhelmed.

Jess Carter faced significant challenges at left-back, while Stanway found it difficult to influence the game from midfield.

However, she made a notable adjustment against the Netherlands, repositioning James to the flanks, including Toone in the starting eleven, and changing the positions of Alex Greenwood and Carter within the defensive line.

This strategy worked so effectively that she decided to keep the same starting eleven for the match against Wales.

When Walsh was asked about the transformation in England's midfield, she responded, “I think we owe a lot to Ella Toone. She has stepped in and made an outstanding impact.

“While many focus on her offensive contributions, the defensive support she provides for me and Georgia [Stanway] is remarkable.

“She covers areas that we can’t. This has likely been crucial in hindering other teams’ performances against us.”

It remains to be seen whether Wiegman will make further changes, but she has evidently discovered a successful approach. She values consistency, having led her team to victory in Euro 2022 with the same starting lineup throughout all six matches.

She has also gained insights into her squad's depth, illustrated by Aggie Beever-Jones scoring after coming off the bench against Wales, and the young talent Michelle Agyemang making an impact during her brief appearance against France.

What challenges will Sweden bring?

Sweden has made a strong start in Switzerland, achieving an exciting 4-1 win over Germany on Saturday to secure their position as Group C winners, earning nine points from three games.

They are familiar opponents for England, having met in the semi-finals of Euro 2022, where the Lionesses triumphed with a convincing 4-0 victory.

Additionally, they clashed during the Euro 2025 qualifiers, where Sweden managed to frustrate England with a 1-1 draw at Wembley in April 2024, followed by a goalless stalemate three months later.

Both countries have moved beyond the group stages in their last six significant tournaments, indicating that they are well-acquainted with this phase.

"We observed their match [against Germany]. It was quite an intriguing encounter," remarked Mead.

"They present a distinctly different challenge, and it’s a side we've faced many times before. We hope to dampen their strengths and utilize ours effectively."

United States coach Emma Hayes shared with ITV that if England isn't properly organized, Sweden could "create a lot of difficulties" for them.

With Chelsea's Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius, and Fridolina Rolfo—who recently transferred from Barcelona—among their players, England understands that they are up against a formidable counter-attacking squad.

Walsh notes that they are also a "very physical" team that has shown no mercy in their three matches thus far.

Former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley is also conscious of the challenges posed by the Lionesses' upcoming rivals.

"Sweden boasts speedy wingers, a highly skilled and experienced midfield, along with threats lurking behind," she explained to BBC Radio 5 Live. "These are several aspects that have posed difficulties for England."

However, even with Sweden radiating confidence, England has developed their own momentum, and Bardsley is optimistic about their chances to advance.

"I have faith in the Lionesses. I believe they can secure a victory. It’s going to be a considerably different challenge," she concluded.