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Women's Euro 2025: Sweden v Germany

Women's Euro 2025: Sweden v Germany

The Guardian12-07-2025
Update:
Date: 2025-07-12T18:04:39.000Z
Title: Sweden make five changes to their starting XI after the 3-0 win over Poland.
Content: Jonna Andersson, Magdalena Eriksson, Fridolina Rolfö, Hanna Bennison and Smilla Holmberg come in for Hanna Lundkvist, Amanda Nildén, Madelen Janogy, Amanda Ilestedt and Julia Zigiotti Olme.
Germany make just the one change following their 2-1 victory over Denmark. Laura Freigang replaces Linda Dallmann in attack.
Update:
Date: 2025-07-12T18:00:17.000Z
Title: Preamble
Content: Both teams have already qualified for the knockouts, so in that respect there's nothing riding on this match. But! The winner of Group C will, most likely, face reigning champions England in the quarters, while the runner-up will find themselves in the same half of the draw as world champions Spain. Neither prospect sounds particularly palatable, so … define winning. Define running-up. Kick-off is at 8pm UK time. It's on!
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The secrets behind Sarina Wiegman's success - and why latest final is not ‘luck'
The secrets behind Sarina Wiegman's success - and why latest final is not ‘luck'

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The secrets behind Sarina Wiegman's success - and why latest final is not ‘luck'

They may have already used their nine lives, but England are through to their third consecutive major tournament final at Euro 2025. Yes, England have been extremely fortunate to make it this far, requiring miraculous escapes to defeat Sweden and Italy in the knockout stages and overcome sub-par performances. But if the Lionesses have had some luck on their side, there is no denying that reaching another final is an impressive achievement - one that is unprecedented in England's history. Sarina Wiegman 's run of finals is even longer, with the Dutch coach extending her streak to five Euros or World Cup finals in a row with the Netherlands and England. No other manager, in men's or women's football, has reached five consecutive finals at major international tournaments. Wiegman was asked for her secret after England's dramatic semi-final victory over Italy and replied with a laugh: 'I'm the lucky one. I can't believe it myself.' She gave the credit to her players, coaching staff and the support of the English and Dutch federations - but Wiegman has also played a role in extending her tournament record. 'She is a really special coach and we are lucky to have her,' said the FA's chief executive Mark Bullingham. And even if a lot of Wiegman's decision-making at the Euros has come under question, her approach is built on relationships and fostering a team environment, and the results are hard to dispute. As Keira Walsh said: 'She's been to five finals, I think it speaks for itself.' Empowering her players England's togetherness and the unity of the squad has been a key part of their run to the final. Before the tournament began, England's players were encouraged to open up to each other and share their 'why' - their reason being at the tournament. Forward Lauren Hemp said a shared understanding of every players' journey 'connects us more as a team' while captain Leah Williamson said: 'You have to know those things about each other for when times get tough.' Wiegman has also encouraged her players to share tough moments with each other, with Beth Mead explaining: "I think we've made ourselves very vulnerable. I think that gives us so much more togetherness, so much more trust of each other.' During the Euros, Mead has shared how she and Ella Toone have supported each other while they are both grieving the loss of a parent, while the Lionesses also came together to call for action after Jess Carter revealed she had been suffering racist abuse online. 'She [Wiegman] empowers us, which I think is important,' Williamson said. 'Especially coming from a woman. She sees us, gives us space to be ourselves and encourages us to be better - and really does encourage us to be better - in a positive way.' Lucy Bronze spoke of how England are able to 'lift each other up' and their resilience has been required when bouncing back from their opening defeat to France or coming from behind to beat Sweden and Italy in the knockout stages. The term 'proper England' has been used throughout the tournament and part of that is Wiegman wanting 'our behaviours and how we want to support each other' to contribute to the team environment, believing that it makes a difference when under pressure. 'I have no doubt that helps in critical moments,' Mark Bullingham said. 'She's probably one of the best managers I've played for in terms of trying to make everyone feel loved,' Keira Walsh said. 'It's a really, really difficult job when you're in a tournament, and obviously people want to play, people aren't, but she really, really cares about the human side.' There have been many times during the Euros where a team that has previously tasted success could have folded. 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In-game changes and staying calm Wiegman defended the timing of her substitutes against Italy after what appeared to be an agonising wait to bring on Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang following their decisive contributions against Sweden. In the end, who are us to question her decision-making on the touchline? "In the second half we were in their half, played well and created some chances. That's why we waited,' Wiegman said afterwards, but it still felt like a long time to persist with an approach that Italy looked comfortable dealing with - particularly when the impact of Kelly and Agyemang was so obvious when they did eventually come on. Ultimately, Wiegman's changes worked because England won the game - and the Lionesses have now scored five goals from substitutes at Euro 2025, the most in the tournament. England's bench is one of the strongest at the Euros, with much more depth than the options available to Sweden and Italy, but Wiegman's timing has made the difference. 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England's Keira Walsh hopes Spain can enjoy a controversy-free final after Rubiales affair
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It is approaching 10pm on January 30 and Chloe Kelly is about to take an almighty risk. Frozen out by Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor, Kelly had started just one Women's Super League match and made a total of six appearances in the 2024-25 season. She desperately wanted to leave the club, whether it be on loan or permanently, in search of regular football. But she was running out of time. City were digging their heels in, reluctant to let her leave to join a rival. So Kelly took matters into her own hands. On the eve of transfer deadline day, she wrote a message on social media in which she said her mental well-being was suffering and that she would no longer tolerate someone's 'negative behaviour' towards her. The impact was far greater than perhaps Kelly had even imagined. Not only did she receive support from club and international team-mates, Kelly's status as a Euro 2022 hero meant celebrities like rapper AJ Tracey and radio DJ Greg James waded in. 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Sliding doors moment Had the move to Arsenal not gone through, Kelly was ready to take a break from football. She would not have been on the pitch to help England through both their quarter-final with Sweden and their semi-final against Italy. The Lionesses would have been out of this tournament over a week ago. There could not have been more pressure attached to her penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out with Sweden. She had to score to keep the Lionesses in the tournament – she did so emphatically. She may have missed the extra-time spot-kick against Italy but her quick reaction to score the rebound was testament to her determination. CHLOE KELLY WINS IT FOR ENGLAND IN THE 119th MINUTE 🤯 THE LIONESSES ARE IN THE EUROS FINAL! Absolute CHAOS. — ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 22, 2025 'The moments in January when I felt like giving up football, makes you so grateful for these moments here today,' Kelly said after the semi-final. 'It makes you enjoy every minute of that. Confidence comes from within but from around you as well. The players I stand side-by-side with on the pitch breed confidence in each other. But I think a lot is self-taught.' How did Kelly get to the point where she considered quitting the game she loves? Her departure from City had been a long time coming. Her relationship with former manager Taylor had broken down beyond rebuilding. It is understood cracks appeared after Kelly scored the winning goal in Euro 2022. She entered this season in the final year of her contract and with little progress over a new deal. In November, England manager Sarina Wiegman admitted Kelly's lack of game time was a concern and made it clear to the forward that she needed to play to ensure a place in her squad for the Euros. Comeback queen Joining Arsenal was only one part of the comeback. Kelly was not match fit and she was ineligible for Arsenal's next two fixtures – an FA Cup match and a WSL game against City – so she had to wait three weeks before making her debut. That meant Kelly's name was not included when Wiegman named her squad for February's Nations League fixtures with Portugal and Spain. As it happened, an injury to Beth Mead meant Kelly was recalled a few days later but the message from Wiegman was clear: start playing regularly or risk not making the Euros squad. When Kelly left City she said she just wanted to be happy again. Under the guidance of Arsenal manager Renee Slegers, Kelly not only rediscovered that happiness but became a European champion. She played a key role in Arsenal's run to the Champions League final, making a pivotal difference in their 3-2 comeback against Real Madrid. She also started the 1-0 win over Barcelona in the final. Slegers gave Kelly belief again. She told her to be all the things she had struggled to be at City in the last two years. Kelly is something of a throwback as a wide forward. She likes to hog the touchline and put crosses into the box. Her two deliveries against Sweden set up goals for Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang. She also has unparalleled calmness and composure in big moments. That toe-poke against Germany to score the winner at Euro 2022; the winning penalty in the Finalissma and in the round-of-16 shoot-out with Nigeria at the 2023 World Cup; the penalty against Sweden; the instinctive reaction to tap-in the rebound against Italy. There is always a Kelly moment at a tournament. She now has two, possibly three iconic celebrations. The one of her shirt above her head after the Euro 2022 final and Tuesday night's combination of telling the England fans to 'chill out' and recreating Thierry Henry's corner flag celebration. 'It was just 'Chill out, I was going to score! 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