'Something different' about Sweden, but Germany 'won't destruct'
'If we meet England, we are going to write a better history'
Gerhardsson has been in charge of Sweden since 2017 but is set to step down after Euro 2025.As winners of Group C, his side will face the runner-up of Group D and will know their quarter-final opponents after the conclusion of England's tie with Wales and Netherlands against France on Sunday (both 20:00 BST kick-offs).The 65-year-old led Sweden to the semi-finals of Euro 2022, where they were beaten 4-0 by eventual winners England.While Gerhardsson said he is "not a dreamer", if he is to bow out with one last hurrah in Switzerland, his side will exact revenge if they land England in the last eight."That was a special game," he recalled of their previous encounter at Bramall Lane. "Now we have other players, they have other players."It didn't go well for us because they scored four goals, but that is history. Now it is a new game if we are going to meet England. We are going to write a new history, a better history, a good history."
Germany aim to 'shake off' heavy loss
Germany were backed as one of the pre-tournament favourites by many, but have been unconvincing so far in Switzerland.They beat Poland and Denmark 2-0 and 2-1 respectively, but struggled to convert their dominance into goals and showed they were vulnerable in defence.Their final Group C game against Sweden was always going to be the toughest test, and boss Christian Wuck repeatedly spoke of their desire to finish in top spot.It didn't go to plan, especially when they went down to 10 players from the 31st minute after full-back Carlotta Wamser was sent off for a deliberate handball to prevent a goal.Wuck is hoping the loss - Germany's heaviest at a Euros - is nothing more than a slight setback."It is different than we imagined," he said of finishing second in the standings and a potential meeting with Group D leaders France in the last eight."We wanted to be first in the group, we wanted to be in place number one. Now we have to analyse that with the players."We will shake that off and be very happy to play the quarter-finals whoever that is, the English, the French or whatever."It would be wrong now to say we want to react and destruct. This is not in the team. We are not a team that wants to destruct."
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The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
England must beware surging Sweden: this will not be an easy quarter-final
England's 4-0 win against Sweden in their Euro 2022 semi-final, with that iconic Alessia Russo backheel and the sound of Sweet Caroline ringing around Bramall Lane, will be etched into many Swedish heads when the two teams meet on Thursday. And England must not underestimate that feeling for the Swedes. It was a humiliating defeat for Peter Gerhardsson's team but they are in a much better place now than three years ago. They have really impressed in this competition so far and they are on a 15-game unbeaten run that has lasted just over a year. There is a danger of England thinking: 'Oh, we've beaten this lot in the last Euros.' As a coach I always worry about a wounded team and I think Sweden are that, and I can say this categorically: Swedish players are the most tactical players I've coached, the most studious players, the most team‑oriented players, and they leave their ego at the door. For those reasons, they're a threat to every team, and they're a big threat to England in this fantastic quarter-final in Zurich. When I look at my own analysis, and I look at individuals, if you take the top 150 players in the world, of the teams in this tournament, Sweden would rank as the seventh best, but they are much stronger as a sum of their parts, as a team. Before their last game against Germany, they were ranked as fourth favourites to win the title, so this is a group that have 'team' at the centre of everything they do. They'll be highly tactical and organised out of possession. Their midfielder Kosovare Asllani has been exceptional and so has Filippa Angeldal. In Nathalie Björn they have a leader at the back who is competent in possession but also really good at running a defensive line. The midfielder Johanna Rytting Kaneryd has been playing well and was particularly impressive against Poland. So I think this is a tougher test for England than it would have been against Germany – not because I don't rate Germany – I think they are wonderful going forward – but I think they're so vulnerable defensively, whereas Sweden are stingy as hell in defence. Don't think: 'Oh, good, we've avoided Germany.' No, this is a game nobody would take lightly. As a coach, England are the better team and they are the favourites but they're playing against a Sweden team with far greater organisation than England faced against Wales or the Netherlands, and the things that have hurt the holders, the physical pace and power of France, are threats that Sweden pose too in transitional moments. Since the last European Championship, Sweden have also brought through the right players and they've found another real player in Smilla Holmberg, the right-back. I think she's got everything to go the whole way. It is Gerhardsson's final tournament with the team but there's a consistency in his setup. He's worked with his strongest eight or nine players for a period of time so there's a real understanding between them, he's calm and consistent in his approach, and I think he will have learned a lot from those failures in 2022. England 4-0 Sweden, 26 July 2022, Sheffield "One of the best goals you will ever see," the former England defender Stephen Warnock said – and few disagreed. Alessia Russo's audacious backheel nutmeg sealed England's third in style, a goal of the tournament winner from the bench. The Euro 2022 semi-final against Sweden played out like a dream: Beth Mead opened the scoring, Lucy Bronze powered in a header, and Fran Kirby's clever lob capped it off. Four goals, four statements. The Lionesses were ruthless. Sweden simply had no reply. England 1-1 Sweden, 5 April 2024, London Sweden looked nothing like the side torn apart at Euro 2022. In a closely contested qualifier, they held firm against an England team dominant in possession but short on chances. Alessia Russo, once again in imperious form, broke through with a striker's dream – a one-on-one calmly slotted home. Both sides grew bolder as the game wore on. A moment's lapse from the Lionesses and Sweden's rising star Rosa Kafaji Roflo punished them with an electric equaliser – well-earned. Sweden 0-0 England, 16 July 2024, Gothenburg It may have ended goalless but England got what they came for. A draw in Gothenburg sealed their place at Euro 2025. "Keeping it to 0-0, qualifying from a very hard group – I'm very relieved," the head coach, Sarina Wiegman, said. The Lionesses impressed early but faded, relying on the goalkeeper Hannah Hampton to keep their clean sheet. Georgia Stanway came closest to scoring with a strike from distance. Sweden, backed by a lively home crowd, failed to capitalise on the buzz. Nasra Abdi He's not a big risk-taker. I could very much see Sweden set up in an organised block but it'll be interesting to see how low they sit. Will they really just absorb pressure and allow England to have the ball? On Saturday, Sweden beat the Germany press and got up against a backline which wasn't the quickest. It is similar with England. Sarina Wiegman's side will be very aggressive with lots of players up high, very aggressive in the counterpress, and if Sweden solve this situation like France did, then I think you're going to see similarly tough moments for England to defend. But it will be interesting to see what Sweden have learned because they play in a really compact 4-4-2 and if you don't get those distances right England will pick you off in the pockets. Especially Lauren James. When she is in the mood she was in against Wales, and she's in 'that place', she's enjoying her football, we all know she's one of the best players in the world. She's been brilliant. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Also, this is the best place I've ever seen Ella Toone in, for England. She's been hugely impactful for the team. She is exploiting the spaces between the full-backs and the centre-backs, and those runs from deep are really helping England. I think she's playing with the bit between her teeth. She's got a bit of a chip in her performance, and I like that side of Ella Toone. She seems more mature, focused and like someone who obviously has a natural telepathy with Alessia Russo. You can see how much they care for each other as friends, but also how they know each other's game inside out. That's really helpful because maybe Russo is taking up so much attention from defenders and giving a bit more space for Ella. At the opposite end of the pitch, England have to be wary of Stina Blackstenius. She was a nightmare to play against. In fact, when I was the Chelsea manager, we were always grateful when she wasn't in the starting lineup for Arsenal. She makes it that much harder for you as a team to be so high up the pitch, because of her channel runs. She's also improved in the little movements, to stay onside. I always thought she was a player that drifted offside a lot but I think she's brought a lot of what we call double movements into her game – ie, lots of running across a line onside – and she's got better at holding those runs to stay onside. And she's been clinical. I think she's at her best level yet. I always rated her decisiveness and being clinical – she's got everything in her locker. She's good if you've got balls coming into the box, she's good at running in behind and she now looks a more complete player. Whoever wins this quarter-final will be the favourites for their semi‑final and should be expected to make the final, but football isn't that straightforward. What is important to say is that the quality of the quarter-finalists compared with Euro 2022 is so much higher. Italy's performance against Spain in the group stage showed that finally years of work on their domestic league is bearing fruit. And France, phwoar, it'll take a lot to beat France. I can't wait to watch them against Germany and the other match-ups.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
ESPN's Chris Russo has police called on him at London Heathrow airport after clash with British Airways staff
Famed sports radio host Chris Russo has claimed he narrowly avoided being arrested at Heathrow Airport in London. The 65-year-old returned to the ESPN airwaves on 'First Take' on Wednesday following a 17-day vacation to Europe that included an eight-day father-son golfing getaway to Dornoch, Scotland. However, the analyst, whose fiery takes have earned him the moniker 'Mad Dog,' seized the chance to unleash a scathing rant live on air as he revealed that after a number of hiccups his participation in the trip was very nearly derailed. For more than 10 minutes, Russo blustered about the trials and tribulations of getting himself, his traveling companions and their golf clubs to the Highlands, which included a run-in with London police. He revealed that his son, Northern Arizona University's men's basketball assistant coach Tim Russo, flew from Phoenix to London via a connection in Dallas before traveling on to Inverness. While Tim and his clothes made it to the Northern Scottish town, his clubs did not. With the golf clubs a key component to the trip, Russo Sr. was left on a mass scavenger hunt to locate the set in Heathrow Airport. Who needs forced LeBron James topics on First Take when you can have Dog rant about Jet Blue and British Airways travel nightmares to Dornoch for more than 10 minutes!! — Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 16, 2025 'It took me two and a half hours to locate the clubs at Heathrow. They didn't know where they were!' Russo exclaimed. 'My son needs the golf clubs for crying out loud! Couldn't find them. We finally found the golf clubs. I had the ticket stub, I put Timmy on FaceTime. 'Timmy, will you tell the people here that the golf clubs are yours and your father, WHO PAID FOR THEM! wants to take them out of the airport so I can get you your clubs the next day?' They wouldn't let me take the clubs out of Heathrow! 'So Timmy's clubs had to stay at Heathrow overnight and he didn't have his golf clubs on Saturday because British Airways…wouldn't give it to his father! Here's their answer, 'It's protocol, sir.' I'm not interested in protocol! I'm interested in the 5-iron! I am not interested in that! 'And they called the police on me! I'm a loud American! 'We're gonna get the authorities.' I DON'T GIVE A C*** ABOUT AUTHORITIES GET THE GOLF CLUBS WHERE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE!' He then confirmed that officers arrived on the scene but he managed to calm down in time to de-escalate the situation and avoid arrest. However, that hadn't been the beginning of Russo's travelling calamity. He also took aim at American airline, Jetblue, after his flight from New York JFK was delayed before ultimately being cancelled. 'You want to fly to Scranton, PA? Jet Blue is for you!' Russo yelled. 'You want to fly to something a little more elaborate like to freakin' Edinburgh? What a disgrace! They kept people on that plane 'til 1:44 in the morning and threw them the hell out of there!' Russo is known for his controversial takes on the hit ESPN show alongside Stephen A. Smith. He's frequently taken aim at the likes of Caitlin Clark, Bill Belichick and his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson, and even colleague Jason Kelce. In addition to his frequent appearances on 'First Take,' Russo hosts an afternoon radio show, 'Mad Dog Unleashed,' SiriusXM Ch. 82 Mad Dog Sports Radio. He joined Sirius XM Radio in August 2008 and now operates his own channel, Mad Dog Sports Radio.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Olympian teams up with researchers to make PE kit more inclusive for teen girls
An Olympic sports star has teamed up with academic experts to help teenage girls feel more comfortable in their school PE kits. Tess Howard, who competed for Team GB in the Paris 2024 games, has joined physical activity and diet specialist Dr Alice Porter to make school sports clothing fitter for purpose. New research has shown that secondary school-aged girls would feel less self-conscious and more able to fully take part in PE lessons if they had more choice over their school sports kit. The study involved interviews and focus groups with 12 to 13-year-old girls and PE teachers from mixed-sex secondary schools in England. Its findings also revealed girls with lower self-esteem may be less likely to join in their PE lessons if compulsory items of clothing felt too tight or revealing. Dr Alice Porter, from the University of Bristol, said: 'We all have memories of our school PE kits and whether they were appealing, comfy, and warm enough or not to wear. 'Previous research has found many girls feel uncomfortable wearing their PE kits. 'Our study looked at how PE kits affect how girls feel about their bodies, how much they are involved in, and their attitude towards school sports. 'Our findings clearly evidence that when girls don't have any choice over their PE uniform, this can be a deterrent to their participation, especially for girls who feel self-conscious and are lacking in self-confidence.' By analysing pupils' lived experience and insights, the researchers also identified possible solutions to address the related issues, especially for teenage girls who may be more affected by school PE kit rules. Results showed girls want to choose the types of bottoms, such as leggings, jogging bottoms, or shorts, they wear for PE. They also want the option to wear additional layers, so they can cover up parts of their bodies they feel self-conscious about. The research recommends that PE uniforms should be offered in a range of styles to suit all pupils and should not be gender-labelled for girls or boys, so irrespectively they feel empowered to choose what suits them best. Changing rooms were also a big talking point for girls in the study, with many feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious changing for PE. A possible solution identified was for schools to allow pupils to wear their PE kit all day on the days they have PE lessons, an approach which girls and PE staff study participants widely supported. The research has been used to develop free guidance and support for schools nationally on how to develop comfortable and inclusive PE kit policies and practices. The initiative, called the Inclusive Sportswear Community Platform, has been designed by Ms Howard. 'We're delighted to be working with University of Bristol researchers to support our work because PE kit should never be the reason someone stops playing sport or feels unable to fully participate,' the hockey star said. 'Kit is a public health issue, and it's a barrier that can be lifted. Far too often, traditional sports kit policies inadequately support the diverse needs of pupils and forget the purpose of sport – to have fun. 'The research findings have provided powerful insights, which we have used to create practical advice and solutions for schools.' – The study, A qualitative study in UK secondary schools exploring how PE uniform policies influence body image attitudes, and PE engagement among adolescent girls, is published in the journal BMJ Open.
