England manager Sarina Wiegman has declared her side "ready to go" as the Lionesses prepare to face Sweden in Thursday's Euro 2025 quarter-final.
The defending champions have recovered impressively from their opening defeat to France, securing their knockout place with commanding victories.
Sweden arrive at Zurich's Stadion Letzigrund having topped Group C with a perfect record, defeating Germany, Poland and Denmark without dropping a point. They have conceded just one goal throughout the tournament, the fewest of any nation at Euro 2025.
"I expect a very competitive game where it is hard to predict the outcome," Wiegman said. "They have had a very good group stage with the three wins they had.
"But I think we are in a very good place and we are ready to go, so I hope we can show that tomorrow."
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|Sarina Wiegman said her England side are 'in a good place'
The Lionesses have embraced a "Proper England" mentality, a phrase first coined by midfielder Georgia Stanway following their difficult defeat to France.
This approach emphasises returning to basics, playing with passion and digging deep.
"Proper England is who we are and what we want to show," Wiegman explained. "Of course that has to do with our tactics, how we want to play, but also our behaviours.
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The Lionesses boss was joined by full-back Lucy Bronze ahead of their quarter-final clash
"It's about how we want to support each other together, work really hard, and of course play to our strengths too."
Lucy Bronze highlighted how the France setback united the squad, saying: "Coming from the French game, it has brought the team a lot closer together and you saw that in the two performances that came from that."
The right-back pledged to "give everything" for her country, demonstrating the commitment that has characterised England's tournament recovery.
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Bronze faces a personal challenge against Chelsea teammate Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who starred in Sweden's victory over Germany.
"Johanna's actually probably the person I get on best with at Chelsea, she is one of my best friends there," Bronze revealed.
"One thing I'd say about myself is I'm very competitive," she continued. "This girl is very competitive as well. I've seen it this season at Chelsea and when she puts on a Sweden shirt she's the same.
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|Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (left) and Sweden won all three group stage matches
"She'll run through a brick wall for her team."
Sweden's physical approach has been evident throughout the tournament, delivering more crosses than any other team at Euro 2025, a tactic that proved effective in their group stage victories.
"How to stop her? Hopefully she is on the other side to me," Bronze said.
Wiegman also acknowledged Sweden's aerial threat requires specific preparation: "They're good in the air, they want to put in crosses, they have some speed up front too, so we're going to try and prevent that.
"Of course it helps when we have the ball a little bit more than they have."
The Dutch coach also reflected on progress for female managers at the tournament.
She was the sole female head coach at the 2023 World Cup quarter-finals, but now leads one of four women managing the final eight nations.
"We want every girl and every woman to have the opportunity to get involved in football in whatever role, that is also in coaching," Wiegman concluded. "We have to push hard, we're moving into the right direction but we have to keep moving."