England vs Sweden: The Lionesses' Respect for Their Euro 2025 Quarter-final Adversaries

As England's Lionesses gear up for the Euro 2025 quarter-final against Sweden, the focus isn't just on their impressive 4-0 victory three years ago. Instead, England is acknowledging the formidable prowess of their Swedish adversaries. Having only triumphed four times in their 29 encounters, Leah Williamson, the Lionesses captain, admits to their deep respect for Sweden's relentless performance in previous tournaments. Familiarity between the teams is high, with 14 Swedish players having ties to English clubs, including the likes of Magdalena Eriksson and Stina Blackstenius. Despite a general underestimation of Sweden in the tournament, their recent achievements, including topping a group with eight-time winners Germany, suggest they are a force to be reckoned with. Georgia Stanway, England's forward, acknowledges the unique challenges posed by Sweden's direct, physical style of play. As England prepares for a match that could test their strength with long balls, fast breaks, and deadly set pieces, it's clear that this game could become one of the most 'English' clashes of the competition. A victory for Sweden would not only serve as sweet revenge, but also send a clear message to their opponents - underestimate them at your peril.