Football Daily - Women's Euros: England v Sweden Preview

Episode Date: July 16, 2025

Katie Smith is joined by commentator Vicki Sparks, former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and the Telegraph's Luke Edwards to preview England's quarter-final against Sweden in Zurich.England manager Sarina Wiegman tells us about the mood in camp following Saturday's huge win against Wales, while Lucy Bronze discusses whether England will change their approach now they've reached the knockout stage.And we find out about Sweden's 'youth hostel'.Topics: 01:32 - 'Dark horses' Sweden 09:39 - Sarina Weigman interview 12:29 - Will Sweden target Hannah Hampton? 16:50 - How many Sweden players would get in England's starting 11? 18:55 - Ella Toone focus - will she keep her place? 26:41 - Lucy Bronze interview 36:45 - Sweden's 'youth hostel' 40:21 - Predictions BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries: Thu - 2000 - QF2 - Sweden v England Fri - 2000 - QF3 - Spain v Switzerland Sat - 2000 - QF4 - France v Germany

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Cargurus.ca BBC Sounds music radio podcasts. The Football Daily podcast with Katie Smith at UEFA Women's Euro 2025. Hello and welcome to the Football Daily podcast from Zurich in Switzerland the day beforeraph's Luke Edwards. Hello everyone and welcome Luke, your first time on here in Dyrick. It's lovely to be returned, called off the bench. I think somebody probably pulled out and you've got me on, I think, haven't you? Is that true? I would never know. There we go. Karen knows. Karen knows more than I do.

Now one way I saw this being built in the Swedish press, Karen, when they were trying to work out if they were going to play England or France when Group D was still being decided. Apparently they said it's like deciding if you were going to get Cholera or the Plague. I don't know which one is England and which one is Sweden. That's a bit deep, isn't it? Which one is France even? Yeah. I don't really know how to respond to that.

None of them sound nice. No, neither do I. I suppose that's what they were going for ultimately. That's quite colorful. Yeah, it gives us a sense of where we're at in this tournament though, Vicky. Business end for sure. Yeah, absolutely.

And I think I also noticed them saying that, like England England ending up on the different side of the draw to Spain was also a consideration so I think there's definitely a reflection on that from the Sweden camp as well but this is gonna be a brilliant game isn't it? I mean we talk about dark horses going into this tournament and I know a lot of people picked out Italy potentially as a side that could maybe go further than people expect but interesting to hear Kosova Ariaslani talking today in the Sweden press conference about how Sweden are a side that have gone under the radar.

She was asked that question directly and she said, well, you know, we believe we're a very good side because look at our record recently in major tournaments, you know, and it's absolutely true. So yes, they're not one of the main names that people were mentioning in terms of out and out favourites, but I think anyone who's watched the women's game, particularly over the last few years, will know that Sweden are always, always a threat at major tournaments and this is going to be a real test for England.

Yeah, I still don't really understand why Sweden don't seem to get the respect that they deserve because I think they have been very, very consistent over recent years and their history is quite illustrious in the women's game as well. And I cast myself back to 2019 in that third, fourth game in the World Cup and they were simply just consistent throughout. And they've got incredible talent, such quality, but I think the way that they've been able to manage the game and the way they've evolved over talent, such quality, but I think the way that they've been able to manage the game and the way they've evolved

over the years as well, they're quite happy playing in mid-tillo block at times, they're quite happy playing through the midfield, they're quite happy going direct, and they've got such versatility in the quality and the strengths of their players that I just don't understand why people don't give them their flowers, if you will.

But is it, Luke, maybe that they don't have that star player and they actually even talk about it themselves. Cosavarez Lani said it several times, the captain in the press conference that we were all at earlier today, that she even feels there's not a singular name to pick out, but it's the collective. No, and that's one of the great things

about international football, is they are a really united team. And I think flying under the radar suits them. I bet they'll play up that we're the underdogs. They'll like that. I think that this, the one thing that's struck me ever since we realised we'd be playing Sweden is it won't be like the semi-final three years ago when England just steamrolled with them and it was so remarkably simple. We were were so nervous going into that semi-final and they just breezed it. It's not going to be like that and I think there is a concern

for me that being English we've got a little bit ahead of ourselves and we've started to look at we're on the easier side of the draw. Wait, sorry, who's we? We. Because the girls will not be thinking that way. No, well I hope not. I'm saying us in the media, fans, people. But why is it different from three years ago then? Because I just think they're a stronger team.

They all have that idea of revenge as well. But I just think we've got to not take... I mean, Caren's saying that the players won't think like that. I really hope they don't. I mean, you're reassuring me that they won't. But I think we in the media and supporters have maybe sort of thought, oh, it's opened up for us. We've got into the weaker side of the draw

I'm doing that with my hands, which you can't see on a podcast inverted commas But yeah, and I just hope that I'm sure the players will take it seriously But I think this is a really really hard game and I think I would go far to say it's their hardest game Yet of the tournament, I'd agree with that. I would put why I don't know would I? For aren't France. I would put, well, I don't know, would I? France, I think, were very, very good. I think the pressure that was on them going into the Netherlands game, which they handled outstandingly, was huge. But I agree, it's a right Sweden off at your peril.

And I also agree with Karen, and having spoken to Serena Wigman earlier and also heard from Lucy Bronze, that absolutely that is not what England are thinking. And they were as well to you know reflect on the fact that they've actually played them twice since that Euro semifinal three years ago and they've drawn twice in the Nations League But I think also if we go back to that semi-final because there are a lot of the same players Involved, you know Lucy making the the point that the team has changed But there are a lot of players still involved they hit the bar early on at n 0-0. Black Stenius drew a great save I think from Mary Earps at 2-0. So there were key moments in that game that were fine margins

and in the end Sweden just fell apart and I remember leaving the stadium, you know, on the high of England reaching this major tournament final and thinking that came out of absolutely nowhere from Sweden. They are far better than that. But they will remember that Susie as well. They will remember that feeling is what I'm saying. When I talk about revenge, you remember that. You know Karen as a footballer, if you've had a real huge setback and you've let yourself down on a big stage, now I think that just gives you that extra little bit of motivation to put it right.

And they've used big words Karen. Some of the players have said humiliation. Now that's not what we heard today in the sort of official press, but a 4-0 loss in a semi-final when you're going in as an Olympic silver medalist and they backed it up with consistent performances. Yeah, Sweden wouldn't have been pleased with that at all and they would have been hurt by it but I think quite a lot of time has passed since then and sure you can use it as like a motivator under the surface if you like for the players that were involved but

ultimately I think you look at the confidence that they have in each other, the way that they've been playing over the course of this tournament, the performance that they put in, obviously going one-nil down against Germany, finding the resilience to really tear them apart, obviously helps having VAMS to sense off as well. But I think there's a real belief and I think the messages that's coming out of that camp as well for the Swedes is there's something different, there's a shift. And as soon as I read that, as soon as I saw that, that reminded me of what was happening in 2015 with England, you know, when we broke through a couple barriers, you know, won a knockout game, beat Germany for the first

time, like something's happening. And you can't really put a word on that, but you can, the feeling is a real powerful one within the camp. I think the bigger thing for Sweden won't be revenge as it were for that semi-final, but it will be winning their second major tournament. You know, you have to go back to 1984, that's the only trophy they've won in their history. The first edition of the Women's Euros where they beat England on penalties,

but it was a very different tournament then. It was a two-legged final, there were 35 minute halves, it was a smaller ball. Look, that achievement is huge for Sweden and the players that were involved in that, but the game has moved on in 41 years and my word has it moved on. And you look at how close Sweden have come to, you know, finally emulating that and taking that step, you know, two-time Olympic silver medallist. They lost in the final to Canada on penalties at Tokyo 2020 so I think that is what's driving Sweden and it's what drove England three years ago when they finally won that first major trophy and

that momentum building. If I have a concern I think it's the matchup Sweden have pace in attack I'm slightly worried about the lack of pace in the England defense and they're also very dangerous from crosses and set pieces and I'm a bit worried about England's ability to defend set pieces when crosses are swung in. Is that something you would agree with Karen? I mean we saw in the Nations League and obviously in the group stages as well that you know they will pack the area, they do back themselves. Blaxinnius is really good in the air, they're good at getting the seconds, the knockdowns, we saw that against Germany as well. So I think that is something that they will play to their strengths. I mean, from open play, there's been so many crosses.

And you know, we've seen in the past that has been something that maybe England have struggled to deal with in terms of clearing their first and seconds. You know, I think about the strengths of perhaps someone like Millie Bright not being there as well. And, you know, but I know that Jess Carter is more than comfortable in the air. I know Leah's obviously shown that she's a world class defender in terms of managing space and threats in behind as she did in the Champions League final.

And we've got incredible competitors like Lucy Bronze as well. And so I think for me, yes, they will pose a threat, but it's like how you deny that threat from happening, how you prevent it from happening, you know, by keeping possession and not allowing Sweden to kind of grow into the game, that for me will be the key. Well, let's try and get into a bit more of that.

We'll sort of start with the England side of things. And we're going to hear from the boss now, Serena Vigman, who Vicky spoke to a little bit earlier about how the mood has been in the camp since that huge win against Wales. I think most of our excitement, we recovered well from the Wales game, of course we refuelled a little bit and now we're going into this exciting game against Sweden knowing that's a very good side too, they're doing really well on the group stage, they always perform in tournaments so it's going to be a tight game, a very competitive game

and what we're going to do of course is try to win and beat our best. One thing that really struck me that Beth Mead said after the Wales game where obviously built some real momentum going into these knockout stages was that thinking back to the opener against France she said it's probably the best thing that could have happened to us. Does it feel like in this tournament that you've had that wake-up call at the start and now you are building this momentum heading into what is now obviously a must-win every time? Yeah, what I said after the France game, I think things went really well before the France and now you are building this momentum, heading into what is now obviously must win every time.

Yeah, what I said after the France game, I think things went really well before the France game, then we had the France game, and of course it was a big disappointment, but it also gave us the opportunity to come together even more and have these conversations. So it brought urgency, because we had to win against the Netherlands and we had to win against Wales.

And what I said with this urgency, that brought the team even more together and that was necessary. Talking about the togetherness, we've just been in Kosovare Aslani's pre-match press conference and she was talking about how that's such a strength of Sweden, the way that they come together as a team. You know, she said England have some very talented players, but that's our strength. How big a strength is coming together as a team for England as well? Yeah, I think that makes a difference too. I think of course it's about quality, but football is a team sport and when you do things together, when you're connected, when you, as we say, have each other's backs, help each other, I think that makes a difference and

that's what we're trying to do. And when we all work together so well, then we put each other in the super strengths and that will help. So, yeah, I truly believe in teamwork. When it comes to Sweden, obviously a lot of people will look back to three years ago, that brilliant 4-0 in the semi-finals. Of course, England had played them twice in the qualifiers as well, two draws. What have you taken from those encounters with Sweden that can help you going into this game?

Yeah of course we know each other really well and so you have things in your mind but we haven't used that, we use what's Sweden now, what have they done and yeah that's three years ago and of course they're still similar players but we're preparing now from what we have seen and trying to be the best tomorrow. So that was Serena Vigmen talking to Vicky a little bit earlier. What you didn't hear Vicky was she's been had a coughing fit and she right at the end for the day and she sort of leave and get some water. I know bless her and she was so professional as well she apologized she said did you notice I'm sorry I have to cough and yeah no she's but she said I

couldn't notice could you? No, she was brilliant. I had no idea, yeah. She was brilliant, perfect broadcasting from Serena Vigman. Career in the making. Maybe after this tournament, of course. Right, so lots to get into there and Karen, I wanted to pick up on

what we were talking about in terms of the threat that Sweden provide from crosses. She taught there, making the same point as you, Luke, that they are a different side. You can't really compare too much from three years ago. But they've been getting more crosses in than anyone else in the tournament so far. She also added to what we heard from there, Serena Vigman later saying we are going to be trying to prevent that and that's kind of as far as she goes and giving any sort

of team tactics. But it'd be interesting from your perspective, goalkeeper-wise, Hannah Hampton-wise, how she might handle that. Yeah, I think we cast ourselves back to that game in 2022. Obviously, I think Mary was quite dominant in her area. And I do think, Luke, as you alluded to off air, Hannah has come under some criticism for maybe not being able to dominate her area in the same way,

but I think what I have seen was that's certainly something I think she's recognized and she's been able to kind of address it. I still think, you know, in terms of decision making to claim or to punch, to come through bodies as we know that Sweden will put in the area could potentially become difficult. So I think, you know, particularly back post, you know, like deeper crosses could be something that we look to see because with the likes of our fullbacks as well, you know, they're going to try to pin back Sweden's wingers. So perhaps the deliveries may come from deeper. So in terms of your start position, in terms of where you look to take those crosses from, what that looks like from Hannah, like I know that she'll be working with her goalkeeper coach obviously. Because you were a bit of a bully weren't you? I love coming for crosses.

When you came for crosses you just smashed people out of the way. Towards you Luke or as we talk about. Well to me generally, yeah she bullies me now in the press room but when she was playing she used to wipe people out and you really relished that but Hannah's not quite that same sort of goalkeeper is she? Yeah but she's like significantly better in a lot of other ways than I was. Well, actually earlier today, I wrote this down

word for word, Lucy Bronze said, she is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world with the ball at her feet. I would agree with that. Yeah, I would agree with that. You look, you just have to cast your mind back to the past that we saw against the Netherlands and it's split all the lines of defense.

And I think it says a lot about, I said this in commentary, about her mindset and her confidence and the ability that she has but also Serena Vigman giving her the opportunity to do that by pinning the center backs wide or LJ on the width and things like that. So to be able to spot that pass first and foremost and then have the confidence to be able to deliver it, I think she's outstanding with her feet. So she's also a weapon in possession because she's essentially a spare player. Do we think Vicky that Sweden are also going to attack England's left-hand side i.e.

that Greenwood left-back area and you look at someone like Ritinkanarid and the way she can dribble the ball and check in and out and fly past players and again if we're looking at the stats she's created more opportunities and open play than any other player at this tournament apart from Alexia Poteas in the Spanish side. Yeah it was funny wasn't it in the press conference when Lucy Bronze was asked about Ritik and Canarid of course they played together at Chelsea and she said you know she's probably my best mate at Chelsea and the question had been you know how are how are you going to stop her? And she said, well, hopefully she'll be on the other side.

So yeah, Richard Cannery is another fascinating one. And I think I also feel this about Black Stenius. And I think this could be really key from a Sweden perspective, clinicalness and consistency in game, because written Cannery and Black Stenius, when they're on their game and particularly written Cannery are world class. Black Stenius in particular they're on their game, and particularly Rit and Canterid are world class. Black Stenius in particular, and Arsenal fans listening to this will know this all too well, she can provide the biggest moments, scoring the winner in the Champions League final,

for example, this season. But she also wastes chances. And Rit and Canterid as well, I think there's an inconsistency there. Sometimes she's absolutely unplayable and sometimes she goes missing or she's wasteful with chances. And I think those sort of performances, Arsenal actually is an interesting comparison, isn't it? Because obviously you've got several of the Sweden side

who played for Arsenal and then also, of course, several of the English side that played for Arsenal and the momentum that they're going to have. But Arsenal put in in that Champions League performance the best performance, I think, individually, every player, arguably of their lives, let alone the season itself. And I think so much of this is going to be about what level these Sweden players come in at. How many Sweden players would get in England starting 11? I think obviously if you compare the two squads, I think you'd

almost in every single position choose the English player, would you not? It's telling, isn't it? Maybe I'm biased, I don't know. I am a big fan of Fridlina Rolfa. Obviously she's been coming back from injury, has played at this tournament. I think she is just fabulous in terms of the fact that because of the way she's paid for Barcelona and come back into that fullback position but also so strong going forward so Would I put role for him potentially? It's a vet, you know, it's very different though. She's not an out-and-out left back

Where do you put her in would you put her in feather up? But Karen's right, you know, and this is something that as Lani as Katie's touch on was was drawing out in the press conference But but I think also possibly it was a little bit of a deflection, you know, the way that she said England have got some like really good individual players but our biggest strength is team unity but she did also say at another point you know we do think we're a really good team you know look at what we've done in major tournaments and there are players in there with with real quality I think and sometimes I think even individually the

quality of those players. undressed to me. I don't want to get all patriotic but we've talked a lot about how Sweden are gonna hurt England but I still think England are favourite and I do think on paper player for player they are the better team. Hello Chris Jones here from Rugby Union Weekly we're all over the Lions Tour of Australia pre-match podcast, post-match podcast, on the whistle podcast, from all the Lions matches down under. We also have a special Lions top 10 series. We have two greats of Lions rugby, Matt Dawson and Jamie Roberts, and we've been ranking everything from?

Icons. To? Controversies, we've got moments. Tours. Tries. Tries. You're in the controversies, Matt. Right at the top.

Jamie, you're in the controversies too? Indirectly. Indirectlli, not your fault. It is all there. Two men who have been there, done it and won it on a Lions Tour. Get it now, Lions Top 10s on Rugby Union Weekly on BBC Sounds. The Football Daily Podcast at UEFA Women's Euro 2025. Well, let's talk about Ella Toon then. I wanted to go into that. She said they should be scared when they play us. Oh, right. Sorry, I was clarifying. I thought she was talking that they should be scared of you. No, scared of Sweden. I thought that's a bit defeatist.

Sorry. Sweden should be scared of England. Right. Yes. And I thought actually quite a good reminder because Serena Vigman I think finds herself reminding the press at times that England are a very good football team and I don't know if maybe we forget that at times but I think we all agreed here just you can give me a sort of yay or nay into your microphones we think Serena Vigman is going to start the same 11 tomorrow. I would be very very surprised given how well they've played in the last two games of the changes. And I feel as though we've talked, I've just allowed Luke to speak for the table. I was going to say, was that a yes or a no? I mean, yes, I agree, she'll start the same.

And so I feel like we've been over how that tinkering with Elatun coming in has changed things. So I just want to talk about what we make of her so far in terms of maybe that work off the ball and away from the limelelight stats standout headlines ie Scoring again assisting again. She made history against Wales completing 100% of her passes as well Which makes it a quite unquite perfect game in according to the stats So what is she doing Karen away from that stuff as well that is just working so well. I

think you know, the work that she does off the ball as well is something that probably goes overlooked, you know, so in terms of the stuff like the runs in behind that obviously stretch the back line that give the opposition center back something to think about, you know, in terms of the threats, the fact that she's given that freedom to kind of go out wide and combine with either an overlap or an underlap to move or at least shift the fullback's attention like we saw against Wales. For me, I think she's positionally more disciplined than perhaps obviously LJ in the 10 and things like that. So in terms of shoring up the spine of England, I think that's something that they really, really benefit from.

But I think also, you know, I hope I'm not speaking out of turn here, but I think... Please do. She's playing for something bigger than herself as well, you know, around her father and, you know, her family and things like that. So that's something that's not really quantitative. You can't measure that. I think she's been a moments player really for me, Elatun. She's flown flashes and she's had magical moments, the European final three years ago for example. But I don't think she's done it consistently.

I think Alessia Russo for example has kicked on and is starting to do it consistently in English, but Elatun hadn't, but that's what's so impressive about the way she's been in these last two games. It's like something, she's found a little extra something something is clicked whether it's mentally physically whether it's confidence I don't know what it is but she looks like the player over the last two games that we've always hoped she could be for England. I think you know a

lot of people criticize that Jamaica game just before the tournament didn't they in terms of like what's the point here but this is exactly what the point of it is is to let someone like Ella get back into the game start banging in goals from midfield and it's a confidence you know it's amazing what confidence can do and she's obviously translated that into an opportunity and maybe there were some questions around how she would handle the disappointment of perhaps not starting but she's channeled it in the right ways. Well we said that at the time didn't we that it was fascinating

because Serena Vigman in the build-up to the Euros three years ago really used those friendlies, not really just to hone her starting line-up, but also to hone her substitution strategy. And we said, actually, Toon starting against Jamaica obviously gets two goals. Is this about who's gonna be the first substitute?

And then actually, you make a tactical tweak after France, which really works. But I wanted to pick up on what you said as well, KB, because you're so right in terms of playing for something beyond yourself. But I wanted to pick up on what you said as well, KB, because you're so right in terms of playing for something beyond yourself and I know we spoke during the Wales game about Beth Meade and obviously this is the first tournament for Beth Meade since she lost her mother, it's the first tournament for Ella Toon since she lost her father last September and yeah I think they both spoke so powerfully about that after the Wales game, you know, that they've been going through the same thing and supporting each other. And Ella's saying, you know, it's nice that we are constantly talking about them.

We know we are doing them proud. And even though they're not here to see it, that actually they're carrying that memory with them and still doing it for them, absolutely. And I think that's so key, isn't it? Well, and she almost epitomizes this England team in terms of that big performance mentality, Karen, because I'm trying to think back at major tournaments, she's been at three of them now,

she doesn't really put in a bad game or a bad moment, as Luke said, she's a big moment player. No, she is and I think also, you know, you think about what she's been through this season, just returning from injury and you know, that crucial time away, I think she's found her passion for the game again and you know I certainly can remember her return I joked about this with her I was kind of hoping that she wouldn't be fit for the Derby but she was and boy did we pay for it but no you know she she she presses really well you know like for me it's her work rate and I think that that like I said isn't something particularly sexy when you talk about game stats and things like that but it is so so crucial. And she said I like creating space

for Lauren James and Kira Walsh this kind of says everything you know the work she does defensively is incredible she covers a lot of space as we can and I suppose that's the point we're making is that's what you maybe don't notice. Yeah certainly to an untrained eye like me. Karen's noted it all down, I've got no idea what she's doing. I'm glad you're here. Great to be part of this. I'm joking, I'm joking. No she's a team player and I think she'll be one of those I would imagine that the players like having her there when she's in the team and I think you've made a really interesting point about Lauren James now Lauren James is going to be marked like

never before now Sweden will target her so it might be that Ella Toon is the player who benefits from that who pops up in those little pockets of space and I think Alessia Russo really enjoys but we know they're friends they do a podcast for the BBC I believe together. You can download it on BBC Sounds. But I think she could benefit from that, because I think Sweden will try and shut Lauren James down, but the form that Ella Toon's in, that might end up benefiting the player in the number 10.

I think the movement from Alessi Russo to drop in and get on the ball and link play, they did so much with, like she did with Ella Ella Thune will be crucial because we saw you know that was something that Germany was able to do to kind of get at them get at Sweden for their first goal and I think to your point Luke around LJ, Joan Anderson is someone I played with at Lin Shipping she was a really young defender but she was always really aggressive really physical wants to get up to the ball and someone like Lauren will be able to roll her.

You know, it will be a tough battle, but like the thing about LJ is she's so aware of what the defender is doing. She can read their body weight, she can shift the ball right left, she's always in control and she's always looking at what they're doing. So she'll relish the opportunity to make someone look foolish. And we love that and And we do love that. And we went into this tournament, we've had a generation of stars,

we know we had it before, your generation, people start retiring, you need new stars to come through. Lauren James, I know she was already a household name in terms of women football, I'm talking about crossover, breakout star. The way she's playing, she is that player for England. I think that's, we need that.

We need a new generation of young players coming through who are superstars. And she is that, I think. Well, and she's got a great relationship down that right hand side with Lucy Bronze, who we're going to hear from now. We caught up with her a little earlier. Does she think that anything has changed now that it is knockout football? They've been calling it knockout games England since the loss to France. But now we're actually in the quarterfinals.

So how different is it? It's definitely business as usual. I think having to play those last two games as Knockout Football has brought out the best in us. It's brought out big performances from a lot of players. I guess it's pushed the team closer together in the way that we've had to play and knowing that it is do or die. I think this team plays really well under that kind of pressure.

So having already had that experience as a squad then going to the quarterfinal has almost turned out to be a good thing for us. It means that we already know what we're coming up against. We're coming up against a top opposition as well, similar to what we had to do against the Netherlands. So yeah, I think we can draw from the experience of even just these past two weeks. The Swedish captain, Kuzvaraj Aslani, has been talking about the strength in their side being the collective of the team and also said they're a very physical side. I wonder from your perspective

what you've identified as the main threats. Yeah, I mean, I guess that's quite similar to us in a way. The collective team is the best thing about our team. Obviously we know that Sweden's physical, maybe in stature. I think we're quite physical in aggression and maybe the pace that we play. So I think it's two teams that are very respectful for each other but very front-footed. I don't think either team will be holding back but

I think we know the threat that they cause and they have caused in this tournament. I think we can find a way to nullify that and obviously show the best of ourselves. She also said it's going to be a fun game, which I wonder will suit you. You like a fun game? Yeah. But I wonder what she meant by that

and do you still get nervous? Do you look forward to these sorts of games? Yeah, I mean, I feel like I could say the same thing and I think what she probably meant by it is what I've just said, that both teams just go in toe-to-toe. I think that's the great rivalry that the Swedish and the English team have is it's two teams that really just go at it. They don't really hold back, we don't sit back and defend. We can play in different ways in terms of playing short with the ball, maybe kicking it long,

using physicality, using technical ability. So I think in that respect it makes for a fun game because there's so many unknowns but at the same time two very talented teams. Talking of that rivalry a high point was obviously Euro 2022 and you won 4-0 in the semi-finals a lot of people remember it for the Alessi Russo back heel you scored that day as well. I know no one remembers that. But you must have great memories of that game and I wonder is that the Sweden that you feel you're facing this time around versus maybe the two sides or the singular side that you've drawn to in the last year? I don't think either. I think perhaps a completely different team. I don't think we're drawn

too much on the previous Euros. I think both teams have changed a lot since then in terms of momentum and well as personnel and players. Strength strengths, weaknesses have changed. I think Sweden seem to be in an even better position now than what they were back then. Obviously it was a fantastic memory for us, it's something that can give us, you know, I guess positives to look back on, but I don't think we draw too much going into tomorrow's game just to look at that game. So that was Lucy Bronze speaking a little bit earlier. Did she score against Sweden? Did she? against Sweden?

I've got no memory of that was what goal was that? It was a header. Of course it was a header Of course it was and it was a good one as well. She'll be hugely offended. Sorry Lucy if you're listening. Sorry Lucy. I mean she literally said no one remembers. I literally have no memory of it whatsoever. I remember France as well. That was a very good goal, but yeah. Long range. That's right. Yeah I remember that one well, that was a very good goal. But yeah. For long range. That's right, yeah. I remember that one. Someone was watching. But yeah, it is all about that backfield though. I mean, I remember watching it in person

and it was incredible, wasn't it? And actually talking about Lucy Bronze goal contributions, which we get so used to, she hasn't scored here, which seems remiss considering almost every other player scored on the England side. Yeah, that was such a positive, wasn't it, against Wales? Six different goal scorers, four players getting their first goal of the tournament. I mean, she will continue to make those runs.

I thought that the way she spoke in the press conference as well about, you know, being willing to give everything and anything for England, they were asking her about, you know, what's your why and in terms of the wider inspiration. And, you know, she spoke about that. But for her, her why has always been, she loves football, she loves working hard and she adores playing for England. And I think that's it.

You know, we've spoken, Karen, haven't we, about, you know, in game. She can be such a positive with that emotion and that passion that drives her forward, but also at times it's about managing it and staying disciplined. And that's always the balance that also at times it's about managing it and staying disciplined. And that's always the balance that you get with Lucy, isn't it?

Yeah, I think so. She wants to do whatever is best for the team, ultimately. And I think, obviously it's a team game, isn't it? So, you know, what we saw against France was possession breaking down when she was already in advanced positions and the willingness and the desire to get back. And sometimes you just want it so bad

that maybe it doesn't always come off. But what she's been doing in terms of moving in field, securing sort of, she'll kill any sort of counter-attacks with her positioning. So she gives Lauren James that freedom. Now it'll be interesting to see if she is tasked with getting a bit more forward against the likes of Sweden and what that looks like but yeah she's an incredible player, an incredible leader. Ten years, ten years since her

breakout tournament back in 2015 she has been at the very top of European and World Football for all that time showing no signs of slowing down. How has she changed? I've got to ask because she was, 2015 she was quite shy wasn't she? But then you see her speak today and she's a you know really confident, really comfortable in her own skin. Yeah I remember her first tournament with us in 2013 and obviously that was a bit of a shambles for everyone but in 2015 she kind of grew into it and I remember she came up with that massive goal against Norway, didn't she, that really kind of got us through. And I think she's grown on the pitch in terms of what she's been able to achieve, obviously with the likes of Barcelona, etc.

She's won everything there is under the sun. But I think that's the way she's grown off the pitch as well in terms of being able to mentor and lead, you know, younger players and yeah I think I think she's an incredible player and I know she gets a lot of sticks sometimes about maybe you know being in her twilight of her career but no I think I think she's a crucial cog. But if we go back to the France game she was caught out of position a little bit and if we look at the threats Sweden have we've already talked about their wide players their speed those balls in behind as well, Luke. So...

The speed worries me because Lucy has lost, unfortunately, as I discovered, that once you get into your 30s, you do start to slow down. Particularly at your elite level. Yeah, particularly when you're an amateur level, like I was, but you do. And you can see that has happened.

She has lost a little bit of speed. And against France, I have to admit, I thought, ooh, oh dear, you do and you can see that has happened she has lost a little bit of speed and against France I have to admit I thought oh oh dear is is is this the tournament where cynical people like me nasty people in the media say it's a tournament too far for her but against the Netherlands and Wales she was incredible and back to her very best and I think she is one of those players and we're talking about relishing this a European Championship quarterfinal knockout football I

Have every faith in her that she will deliver her best. I think there's a lot of context to that because like I said, you know England were losing possession in the build-up phases quite early on and that was obviously if that didn't happen and she was in that advantageous Position and they were managing to you know, play the ball through midfield with secure possession, I don't think that would have been a problem. But it's about kind of making sure that everyone's on the same page. I was worried she was getting beaten one on one by a fast winger. That that's my that was my only concern. I was worried that she just lost that little bit of pace and against speed. That was kind of a kryptonite, but I'm confident she'll be OK.

But please give me some... No I mean yeah okay there were some issues in terms of like just one for one decision making as well but I do think it's something that they've managed to kind of discuss and put right and we've seen that in their following performances against the Netherlands, against Wales etc but yeah I do think you know the wingers will pose a massive threat. Yeah I would agree with that I mean it is the strength of Sweden we've discussed already I think the main thing for me is as a player as a commentator I absolutely love watching her you could tell from the press conference today she cares so much she like she said will do anything and

everything in an England shirt but it it's just those moments, say for example, England are one or down with 10 minutes to go. Do you see perhaps a Lucy who is just so desperate to do everything she can to keep England in the tournament that actually game plan slightly gets left behind in terms of just being desperate to get that equalizer? And I do think that is where I really, because she is experienced enough, where you have to be thinking with your head as well as your heart. She's absolutely capable

of doing that. But I think that that could, and not just for the quarterfinal, if they go forward, there are going to be those moments where it is going to be so key. And that is something that I'm sure Serena Vigman will be having those discussions. And again, as a manager, you want players to feel the game. You don't want her not to go for those ones. But as you said, Karen, it's about everybody being in the same page because they can lead to real danger moments. There was a shade of that in the World Cup final as well against Spurs. Yes well remembered, yes it was Lucy for a forward lost the ball on the halfway line which is where the the Spanish goal came from but the other tip the team mates have got to help her out there like

when you get to her age Sometimes you're up against electric pace You might need your winger or a midfielder to come over and say don't leave me on my own You know, but you can double up and that might be what England need to do not leave her exposed one-on-one But also if she makes those runs because we all know she's gonna make them from time to time somebody drop in I think that's the difference in terms of what we saw in that Netherlands game You know as well as you know, if your fullbacks gone as, you know, if your fullback's gone around, you know, obviously everyone needs to squeeze around as well, but then the likes of, I don't know, your wingers or your Georgia standways coming and securing,

next to say Kiera Walsh or Kiera Walsh dropping into the back line to allow the opposite center back to get across and go and support. I think we're seeing those conversations happening on the pitch. It's certainly much more visible than it was against France, which you didn't really see the sort of gesticulation that we see now. One final thing I just wanted to touch on before we go, and it's not about the football, it's off field stuff. A few of us have been doing media duties. Luke, you've been there as well at the Dol de Grande, which is where England

are staying. A bit above my pay grade, I noticed. Have they not offered you a room? They didn't offer you a room? They didn't offer me a room and I looked at the prices and I don't think I'll be staying there any time soon. Stop that now. I don't know if you've seen where Sweden are staying.

I've heard about this. So there's a brilliant piece, if you want to read more about it, on the athletic from Michael Cox, but it goes into this list of approved accommodations that UEFA offered up to the 16 teams when they were all qualified for the tournament. And Sweden went off list, unlike England and some of the others, and they are staying in a place just north of Zurich in a fitness centre. And the idea being that they describe it a little bit like a youth hostel,

so they want you to stay out of your rooms. They want you to spend time together rather than being like, you can walk to your training facilities. They have amazing sporting facilities. There was a similar story around them in New Zealand at the World Cup where they were staying in something fairly modest compared to the USA, which we're essentially in the kind of five-star mega castle, weren't they?

I just wonder, Karen, your thoughts on that, because it certainly- Karen would have hated it. What made you approach it? I like camping, what are you talking about? Oh, you would have hated it. You became a pre-mediterranean, you got it later in your career.

Yeah, my head's massive. Yeah, no, I think it's really interesting. It reminds me of Finland 2009, when we didn't have massive facilities, and you just think about how much time you spend with each other, you know, whether it's in the room, outside the room when you haven't really got a whole lot to do. But you know, from what I know about these girls, you know, the England camp,

they absolutely love spending time together. So whether it's getting together in a communal area watching Love Island or playing card games or what have you, they absolutely don't isolate themselves in their rooms. Does it matter your environment though? Of course it does, yeah. Because you can design it to feel a certain way. Clearly the Swedes have taken that on and said, we want to make sure that you all are getting together.

And it's basic. So England have, we've been there. It's luxury. It is a luxury hotel. Sweden have deliberately gone the other way and turned it very, very basic and very, you know, taking it almost, stripping it all back and just making it a very sort of brutal almost team environment it looks great if you do well it doesn't look so great if you lose to England tomorrow night and I think the key thing surely is you know are the players on board with it, were the players consulted

and you know you think that they must have been so actually if you all buy into it That's the biggest thing is think they're all on board depending on what happens tomorrow night That's but that's the thing isn't it that you might start moaning about it if they go out tomorrow saying it was absolutely terrible But then if they get to the semi-finals, yeah But they might go out because Lauren James has a blind it not because they were staying in a youth hostel equivalent in the north of Shurik Add a note of seriousness to the conversation in terms of the facilities that are available,

we don't know the entirety of what Sweden has on offer, but we know the way that England prepare, the way they recover from games. They'll have their ice baths, they'll have their massages, they'll have their physios, they'll have all of that that they can use when they see fit. So essentially it's kind of like a no stone unturned situation where we don't know what Sweden have, what they don't have, you know, but ultimately you want to prepare your players to recover and perform in the best way possible.

So if Sweden think that that's what it is and England looks like, you know, that's what that is, then it just depends at the end of the day what happens on the pitch isn't it? So England against Sweden in the quarter-finals and Ingrid Rosante on the BBC Sport website says this is the game, this is the test, I feel that if England beats Sweden on Thursday they will reach the final of the Euros. Karen, final thoughts? I don't know, Luke's doing something. What are you doing? I did some hand gestures because that's what I said at the start. People are like, oh, if we beat Sweden, we're going to get to the final. They're going two games ahead. Well, I think this is it, isn't it?

People talk about the semi-final. We've not even got there yet. So I think we just need to focus on this game, which is what the players will be doing. I know it's going to be tough. I think it's going to be a fun game for everyone, not only involved as players, but for us in the media to kind of see how this unfolds. But I certainly have full belief in the performances that I've seen in England and I think they're more than capable. Well many thanks to Karen, to Luke, to Vicky, that is it from us here on the football

daily but do not miss it. England against Sweden, the Euros quarter-finals build up from the stadium. Let's grunt in Zurich from seven o'clock tomorrow night on 5 Live and BBC Sounds kick off is at eight.