Sport |
Football It is just over seven months since the
World Cup Final but, as the Lionesses begin the road to Euro 2025 tonight, there are signs they are evolving under Sarina Wiegman .
England overcame injuries and a disrupted build-up to reach the final in Australia, before suffering heartbreak at the hands of Spain. The team then was built around defensive solidity, with Wiegman’s switch to a back-three during the middle of the tournament proving a masterstroke. The side hosting
Sweden at Wembley on Friday night, however, will have a different look and there should be excitement over what lies ahead. For starters, the Lionesses can hopefully welcome back captain Leah Williamson , who trained yesterday after discomfort in her knee forced her to be substituted at half-time of Arsenal’s League Cup Final win over
Chelsea last Sunday. The centre-back has not played for England since April last year after suffering a serious knee injury. Her absence was especially felt during the autumn, when the Lionesses shipped eight goals in six games to finish second in their Nations League group. That meant England were in pot two for the Euro 2025 qualifying draw and they have been handed a tough group as they bid to retain their crown. England face two of the world’s top six sides in
France and Sweden. The Republic of
Ireland complete the group and they will be no pushovers, especially in
Dublin on Tuesday. Only the top two sides from the group are guaranteed a place at next summer’s tournament, so England must hit the ground running. Suicide is always wrong-headed option, sister of Ruth Perry tells teachers Consultants accept pay offer to end year-long dispute Male veterans aged 25 to 44 at higher risk of suicide than general population Buying a new car? Here's why Omoda needs to be on your radar Wiegman will be confident of doing that after a successful training camp in
Spain in February. She used that time to experiment, and the squad for tonight’s game has seven players who did not feature at the World Cup. We want to win trophies. All the players who come through raise their game to that Lucy Bronze Some of those are returning from injury, such as Beth Mead and Fran Kirby, but it says a lot about how far England have come that neither is guaranteed to start tonight. The next generation of talent is knocking on the door, with Grace Clinton and Jess Park making the competition for places fierce. “All the players coming through are competitive, they play at a high level week in, week out,” said defender Lucy Bronze. “We want to win trophies. All the players who come through raise their game to that.” Wiegman has favoured a 4-2-3-1, with Kirby as the No10, but the February camp suggested they could shift to a 4-3-3, with Grace Clinton and Georgia Stanway alongside Keira Walsh in midfield. In attack, Mead faces a fight for a starting spot. She was the top scorer at Euro 2022 but, during her injury lay-off, Lauren James burst onto the scene and Lauren Hemp has taken her game to another level. MORE ABOUT Have your say...