Sweden flying under Euros radar ahead of England clash, says Asllani

Kosovare Asllani said on Wednesday that Sweden should be getting more attention for their performances at the Women’s Euro 2025 as the Scandinavians prepare for a blockbuster quarter-final against England.

Spain, France and England have dominated headlines in Switzerland but Sweden swept into the last eight with three powerful displays, including a thumping of Germany, on their way to winning Group C with a perfect nine points.

“I feel like Sweden are always flying under the radar, I would say,” attacking midfielder Asllani told reporters.

“And it is something that kind of suits us because obviously we think that we are one of the best teams in the world due to the results we have been doing the last few years from the tournaments. But people rarely speak about us as someone that can win the gold.

“We know we can beat any team in the world when we have our best day. We don’t think about it too much but I think people should talk about us more.”

Sweden take on England, who finished second in Group D, in Zurich on Thursday with memories still fresh of a 4-0 defeat to the Lionesses at the last Euros three years ago.

But Asllani said that she and her teammates are focussing on two recent draws with the reigning European champions as they hunt a first major honour since winning the first official Euros way back in 1984.

“We have incredible belief in one another and the entire team. We do play very intense and physical football and since (coach) Peter (Gerhardsson) took over that has developed,” added Asllani.

“We have developed enormously over last few years. We have players at major clubs, and then you came here and you mesh it all together. We are a very hungry team and want success.”

She said she believed the tournament begins in earnest with the quarter-finals. “It feels like a tournament really gets going when the group stage is over. We have experience of these kinds of matches, and the fun sort of starts now... when you test your mettle against the best teams.”

England, Sweden are different teams than in Euro ’22 semis: Williamson: England’s run to the Women’s Euro 2022 title included a 4-0 semi-final victory over Sweden, but captain Leah Williamson said that thrashing at Bramall Lane was ancient history as the sides prepare to meet again on Thursday.

England play their familiar foe in the European championship quarter-finals in Zurich, and while they would love to sweep them aside again, Williamson said England have tremendous respect for their opponents.

“I think when you come up against a team, when you have had a previous fixture like that (2022 semi), then you’re always probably going to remember it,” Williamson said on Tuesday at England’s base camp in Zurich. “But I think so much has happened since. It’s different, two very different teams now compared to that night.”

Sweden dismantled plenty of people’s favourites Germany 4-1 to top Group C and Williamson said they had not been getting the respect they deserved in Switzerland.

“I do think they deserve more recognition. The history of Sweden’s previous results in tournaments is incredible,” she added. “They’re relentless when it comes to tournament football.

“They’re just a very organised team. They work hard. Obviously some familiar faces. We know their characteristics, so it will be tough.”

Arsenal teammate and good friend Stina Blackstenius is one of those familiar faces. Blackstenius scored the late winner in Arsenal’s stunning Champions League victory over Barcelona and continued her goal-scoring run at the Euros, striking in Sweden’s wins over Poland and Germany.

“Stina is an incredibly powerful footballer, and I think she’s very intelligent, she’s a hard player to play against. I was celebrating her success at Arsenal -- not so much now,” Williamson said, laughing.

The 28-year-old Williamson is in esteemed company having lifted a major championship trophy as England captain, and would be in a class of her own were she to lift a second.

Asked if she was driven by the chance to make more history, Williamson said winning another major title definitely drove the team.

Agence France-Presse