The defending champions from England started the European Championship and then increased significantly in the preliminary round. Now the undefeated Swedes are waiting in the quarter -finals – and thus a completely different exam.
When the first 90 minutes of the tournament were played, it was not good for the defending champions. England had lost 1-2 against France and showed a large -scale performance over large parts. In addition, there was the over -named lead goal because of offside – all in all a great disappointment.
“We didn’t start as we wanted. We knew that we had to come back quickly, otherwise we would have been out of the tournament”In retrospect, Alessia Russo said in the Sportschau interview. The “Lionesses” were under pressure. But they actually came back – with an impressive 4: 0 in the second group game against the Netherlands. “We showed a reaction.”
England already with eight different scorers
The 6: 1 against Wales finally made it clear to the KO round, in which Sweden is now waiting on Thursday (from 8:15 p.m. in the first and in the live stream). And suddenly England comes with a good joy of playing: The six goals against Wales were divided into six different goal scorers, and a total of eight English players have met at least once. Even Sweden, with just one goal, should be impressed with the best defensive of the tournament.
England’s players were allowed to cheer over eleven goals at the European Championship.
Because at the European Championship, no team has won more chances in the group phase than England (18). The defending champion often operates with long passes – and brings them to the woman as often as no other team (109). An open exchange of blows is bought.
The game will have little to do with the preliminary round against the Scandinavians, believes Georgia Stanway. “You will give us different tasks than what we had in the group”she said about the upcoming opponents. “We already have a lot of experience against them. They play physically and directly.”
Ella Toone: “You should be afraid”
Russo underpinned her teammate’s words. “Sweden plays a different kind of football than what we have experienced in this tournament so far. They are very quick and have many powerful players.” Before Sweden’s determination – only top favorite Spain penetrated into the opposing penalty area even more often during this European Championship – England is in any case warned.
An English player then opened this warning after moving into the KO round. “You should be afraid”said Ella Toone confidently towards Sweden in the ITV interview, which had literally cleared 4-0 in the semi-finals of the EM 2022.
Ella Toone puts the lid on against the Netherlands with her 4-0.
The fact that this self -confidence should also be pointed to the square is part of the strategy of trainer Sarina Wiegman. “This is something that Sarina has always tried to teach us”Beth Mead revealed “Independent” according to the 6-1 win against Wales. “She told us that we have to be more ruthless. Six goals to score is quite ruthless.”
England wants to go with momentum EM title defense
How ruthless the team against Sweden can appear will be shown. Fellow favorites are now followed by the weakest opponents of the tournament. “They are difficult to beat and did well in the group”Wiegman praised the Swedes according to “Guardian”.
Russo and Co. definitely bring the momentum to the quarter -finals. No other team has increased as significantly in the course of the tournament as England. Is that enough for a title defense? The striker is careful. It was different from 2022, she said. “As a team, we are now on a different trip and we enjoy it. For some it is the first tournament. Some are getting older, like me. We have a good time together.” A good time that she should now also carry through the ko round.