The Independent
·3 December 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Independent
·3 December 2024
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Wiegman hits back at criticism for settling on goalless draw
The Lionesses are back in action tonight with an international friendly against Switzerland at Bramall Lane in Sheffield. Sarina Wiegman will be hoping to get her team back to winning ways following a goalless draw against the United States last time out.
That match featured a fine performance from Mary Earps who was recalled between the sticks for a more tactically defensive outing that tested the continued development of Wiegman’s European champions ahead of their title defence next summer.
Euro 2025 will be held in Switzerland and England are getting a taste of what potentially lies ahead when they take on the tournament hosts tonight. The Swiss are bruised and battered after a 6-0 defeat to Germany were they did not manage a shot in the entire game and will be hoping for an improved performance in London.
In what has been a ‘tough year’ for the Lionesses, according to Earps, going out on a high with a win this evening will give them some momentum heading into the new year.
Follow all the action from Wembley with our live blog below as England take on Switzerland:
Switzerland lost 0-6 to Germany last time out, their heaviest defeat in friendly since a 0-7 defeat to the Germans in June 2022 – back then, the Swiss lost their following game after that loss, 0-4 to England.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 19:30
England have won just six of their 11 games in all competitions in 2024 (drew three, lost two).
It gives them their worst win-rate (54.5%) in a calendar year when they’ve played 10+ games since 2007 (50% - Played 14, won seven, drew four, lost three).
Mike Jones3 December 2024 19:25
“That’s the best way a team needs to be,” said Jess Park when asked how it feels to be competing for places in the line-up. She added: “If there’s no competition, it’s not going to bring out the best in you and I think that’s the important thing.
“It’s nice to be around a lot of the younger girls that I know as well and that I’ve grown up with and played with before. That’s really nice to have them in and around camp. They kind of look to me to help them out now as well, so that’s really nice.”
Mike Jones3 December 2024 19:20
Jess Park spoke about what it feels like to be brought into the national team and playing regularly for the Lionesses. She said: “I’ve learnt a lot from playing at club level and obviously, I’ve had a lot more experiences now internationally.
“I feel like I’m getting there. I’m really getting comfortable in the environment with my team-mates and coming onto the pitch and being on the pitch. I feel like it’s really progressing.
“Sustaining the attacks for a bit longer and creating them really clear-cut chances will be a really massive part in our development. I think that’s something we need to focus on.”
Mike Jones3 December 2024 19:15
This will be England’s fourth game at Bramall Lane, winning each of the previous three by an aggregate score of 11-0; their most recent game at the Sheffield venue came in the semi-finals of Euro 2022, beating Sweden 4-0.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 19:00
Switzerland have lost each of their three previous away games against England, losing 9-1 in April 1977, 1-0 in May 2000 and most recently 2-0 in September 2010.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 18:55
Here are the teams that will be playing at next summer’s tournament and will be in the draw in two weeks time:
Mike Jones3 December 2024 18:50
England will be out to defend their European title as the draw for Euro 2025 is made ahead of the tournament in Switzerland next summer.
The Lionesses won their first major honour on home soil when Sarina Wiegman’s team defeated Germany at Wembley in July 2022.
The Euro 2025 draw will take place on Monday 16 December at 5pm BST (time still TBC) and the draw ceremony will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The 16 teams will be drawn into four groups of four. There will be a livestream on the Uefa website.