Sweden Seeks Redemption Against England in European Championship Quarterfinal

Some have repressed the match. Others use it as a reminder – for what must not be repeated on Thursday. Then Sweden will take revenge for the European Championship defeat three years ago. I was extremely ashamed after that match, says centre-back Magdalena Eriksson ahead of the quarter-final against England.

» Published: Tue 15 Jul 2025 14:58 CEST

The opposition in Thursday's quarterfinal in Zurich has something intimidating about it.

England started with a tough loss to France (1–2) but has since moved forward like a steamroller in the European Championship and won big against both the Netherlands (4–0) and Wales (6–1).

From a Swedish perspective, there is also a troublesome historical touch.

The 0–4 loss in the European Championship semifinal three years ago still sits like a thorn in the side of some Swedish players.

There are many extremely negative thoughts associated with it. I remember that it was a great shame, I was very ashamed after that match. It was not worthy, we wanted to represent Sweden with fairness. It was shame – and a little sorrow, says Magdalena Eriksson.

”Not acceptable”

Bayern Munich defender, who played six seasons in English Chelsea, tries to use the memories to her advantage. Eriksson says she likes to remember worse performances to get extra drive.

One has a few such matches during one's career, which one remembers and which will never really disappear from one's memory. It's a kind of match that we have learned incredibly much from. It's not acceptable to fall apart like that, and we will do everything we can to make sure it's not repeated, says Eriksson.

Not everyone has chosen that model. Striker Lina Hurtig, who is leaving London team Arsenal after the past season, has sent the European Championship semifinal 2023 into the valley of oblivion.

I don't remember that match at all. I remember one goal only. It's empty, says Hurtig.

Two straight draws

Sweden has nonetheless met England twice since that big loss. Both meetings in the European Championship qualifiers last year ended in a draw.

Magdalena Eriksson takes that with her into the Letzigrund stadium on Thursday evening. The same applies to the fact that Sweden has impressed in the European Championship in Switzerland so far with three straight wins, including 4–1 against world number three Germany last time.

We are aware that England has enough quality to score four goals against us again if we are not switched on. We don't need to talk about that. We focus more on what we did in the last match. It's a new team and new players. We try to be here and now.

Lasse Mannheimer/TT