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The ties for both Euro 2025 semi-finals have now been settled and the Lionesses’ preparations will be in full swing as they look ahead to a clash against Italy in Geneva.
As Germany pulled off a remarkable victory on penalties with just 10 players on the pitch against France, England will know the level of competition with training and media duties on the schedule for Sunday.
Here is everything you need to know from day 19 at Euro 2025…
Today in camp
The Lionesses will want to keep as much under wraps as possible in the lead up to their semi-final clash, including the fitness of their skipper Leah Williamson.
There will be just 15 minutes of training that the media can access between their quarter-final victory and their meeting with Italy.
With that scheduled for the day before the encounter, there is little to go off in terms of England’s preparations, but no doubt they will be hard at work perfecting their tactical plan to face Le Azzurre, who overcame Norway 2-1 and, hopefully, deal with the threat of the prolific Cristiana Girelli.
Away from the pitch and tactics, however, players will be trying to remain level-headed to put in the best display possible come Tuesday.
For Michelle Agyemang, that looks like chilling with Lego and her piano.
“I was building a really tiny stadium [in Lego] the other day because I was bored and suddenly Lucy [Bronze] was like, ‘We can make this so much better,’” Agyemang told the Lionesses’ Diary Room.
“I didn’t know she has really good skills when it comes to Lego. We made a replica of the stadium and now she wants to make it a tradition, so I think we’ll have to do Geneva next time.
“I also have my piano here, and I’ve been having a great time on that. The kitman brought it over in a van. It’s calm and relaxing.
“Lotte [Wubben-Moy] asked me to play for her – she came to my room, and I played a few things for her, which was nice.”
In the news
Jess Carter has spoken out about the vile racist abuse she has been subject to throughout the tournament, leading to her stepping back from social media.
She wrote on Instagram: “From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse.
“Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result, I don’t agree or think it’s okay to target someone’s appearance or race.
“Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so that others don’t have to deal with it.”
The support came flooding in from her England teammates, while her domestic club Gotham FC also put out a statement in support of their player.
As a squad, the Lionesses also penned a statement in support of Carter and said they will no longer be taking the knee before their semi-final match, having been one of the only teams to do so consistently in the tournament so far.
They wrote: “We stand with Jess and all Lionesses players past and present who have suffered racism.
“No one should have to endure such vile abuse, be that in football or any walk of life.
“Representing our country is the greatest honour. It is not right that while we are doing that some of us are treated differently simply because of the colour of our skin.”
What are the pundits saying?
The focus so far has been on the joy of coming back from the dead against Sweden, as England came from two goals down to triumph on penalties.
But with the Lionesses putting in a showing that made them look like they would certainly be on the plane back to London in the opening 70 minutes, Sue Smith emphasised their need to improve before they meet Italy.
“The first half of the quarter-final against Sweden when England were 2-0 down was awful,” she told The Observer.
“The Lionesses were not good off the ball defensively, really disjointed going forward, and didn’t look like they were creating anything. Watching it, I was thinking: 'Oh that’s it, we’re gone.'
“Sarina will help them keep their feet on the ground. It is a great achievement, but they didn’t play well, and that’s something that simply has to improve.”
But Smith was buoyed by their response to a disappointing display against France and hopes to see such a rejuvenation against Le Azzurre.
Quote of the day
"Another tournament goes by where we see the same disgusting racist abuse. It is unacceptable for any person to be subject to this or any kind of abuse.
“The issue goes beyond sport. But what is being done about it? In society? On the very platforms we post on?
“I will not continue to feed the very platform that enables abuse with no consequence." - Lotte Wubben-Moy on Instagram.
Best of the rest
Ann-Katrin Berger put in one of the best individual displays of Euro 2025 on Saturday night as she kept a ten-player Germany in the competition against France.
Though Germany had seen Kathrin Hendrich sent off in the 12th minute and a penalty subsequently conceded, Sjoeke Nusken levelled to keep the score at 1-1.
It remained that way in part thanks to Berger, who made an audacious save arching behind her to scoop Janina Minge’s wayward defensive header off the line.
She then stepped up to play the hero in the shootout, staring down each French penalty taker with an unsettling calm as she stood with her hands behind her back as each stepped up to take.
Berger had the ability to match her aura too, taking a penalty of her own in the middle of saving two, including Alice Sombath’s sudden-death spot-kick.
It saw Germany earn a semi-final spot against Spain as they triumphed 6-5 in the shootout.
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