Lionesses Diary - Day 13: Sweden vs England Euro 2025 preparations begin as Wales beaten

The group stages are officially over and the Lionesses are readying themselves for a crunch quarter-final clash against Sweden.

Following a resounding 6-1 victory over Wales on Sunday night, England will continue their recovery as the substitutes and unused players completing training ahead of their game on Thursday.

Here is everything you need to know from day 13 at Euro 2025…

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Today in camp

After travelling back from St. Gallen on the coach late last night, the Lionesses will be looking to recover, both on sleep and physically after the clash.

While Sarina Wiegman did not believe the match had been too intense, as the scoreline may suggest, she will ensure her players are properly rested before commencing preparation for the clash against Sweden.

Having finished second in their group, England have been drawn in a quarter-final with a shorter turnaround of three days, continuing their regular rhythm from the group stages.

They do, however, have the benefit of playing in Zurich close to their base at the Dolder Grand Hotel.

It means Wiegman and her staff will now be undertaking analysis of their upcoming opponents, who beat Germany 4-1 in their final group stage match.

Team news

Sarina Wiegman reported in her press conference that as far as she was aware, the squad emerged from their rivalry clash with Wales unscathed by injury.

Firmer confirmation will arrive in the media conference prior to the game, with the manager admitting she had yet to go into the dressing room to assess.

Lauren James’ minutes continue to be managed as she was taken off early in the second-half but only to avoid injury rather than because of any issues.

The comprehensive win, that saw England 4-0 up at half-time, also allowed Wiegman to rotate key players with Lauren Hemp and Ella Toone both departing the field at half-time.

Trending topics

Opta has announced their team of the group stages with two England players featuring in the top XI.

Alessia Russo, who bagged three assists against the Netherlands and scored a goal of her own against Wales, is handed the number nine shirt for her standout performances in the group stage.

She was unlucky not to have had a higher goal tally, too, having had two goals ruled out for offside in the build-up during England’s three matches so far.

Alex Greenwood was the other player to feature from the Lionesses squad.

Since moving to left-back she has been exemplary for England and demonstrated exactly why she should be in conversations regarding the best defender in the Women’s Super League, and perhaps the world.

Her relationship with Lauren Hemp has aided England going forward while she has been sublime in the defence, keeping Chasity Grant and Kerstin Casparij silent against the Netherlands.

Stars such as Germany’s Jule Brand and Spain’s Alexia Putellas and Mariona Caldentey are included alongside them in a world-beating XI.

What are the pundits saying?

While Wales didn’t give England the test of some of their other opponents at Euro 2025, Ian Wright felt their approach to the game was spot on.

Sarina Wiegman did not get it quite right in the opening match against France, demonstrated by changes in their subsequent game against the Netherlands.

But with an unchanged starting XI, England took a more direct approach against Wales that saw them run out 6-1 winners in style.

“What I love about England is how direct we can be. We’re talking about against Wales, but I liked the fact that we recognised that we should go long,” said Wright on the Crossways Podcast.

“Keira [Walsh] was getting a lot of joy in there and both Laurens [Hemp and James], but I liked the way we switched it up and forced them into the mistakes that they made.

“They weren’t great at the back with some of their defending but I thought the way we played really put them under pressure. It was the right way to play.”

Quote of the day

“We love it, there is nothing like playing for your country, everyone on this team will say that, especially in tournaments like this. We want to be right here until the very end.

“Playing for England and playing with Tooney, I feel like we have such a good connection and obviously she is my best mate, so I love spending time with her and on the pitch we have a nice connection too.” - Alessia Russo to ITV Sport.

Best of the rest

While Wales fell to defeat against England, marking the end of their tournament in Switzerland, they had plenty of reason to celebrate.

Jess Fishlock stepped up as their talismanic player to bag a goal and an assist at Euro 2025, helping Wales to their first two major tournament goals.

Their second, scored by Hannah Cain against England, produced the loudest roar of the night despite coming when Wales were already 5-0 down.

The Dragons made sure to celebrate the achievement of just being there and will hope to use it as a springboard to advocate for better investment in their women’s football set-up.

Fishlock’s contribution, however, could be her last in a Wales shirt though the 38-year-old refused to be drawn on her international future.

“I don't know right now, I think that's a tough one, I need to take a little seat and have a little think, but no decisions have been made. As of right now I'm still a Welsh player,” she told BBC Sport Wales.