Arsenal star Stina Blackstenius could possibly be the undoing of England’s Euros trophy defence of their quarter-final on Thursday.
Blackstenius has discovered unimaginable goalscoring kind since changing into the Gunners’ Champions League hero in Might.
The Sweden worldwide was subbed on within the ultimate in opposition to Barcelona and scored the successful objective to carry the European title to Arsenal for the primary time since 2007.
Arsenal ahead Blackstenius’ Euro 2025 thus far
Blackstenius has taken confidence from that consequence and has been a key determine in Sweden’s Euro 2025 marketing campaign thus far.
She has scored two targets thus far, together with within the crew’s 4-1 win over Germany to safe high spot in Group C.
Her knack for coming good in essential matches – she has additionally scored in a Conti Cup ultimate for Arsenal – shall be a risk to England on Thursday.
A good few Lionesses know the star effectively as she performs for the Gunners, together with captain Leah Williamson.
At a press convention on Tuesday, Williamson mentioned of her Arsenal teammate: “Stina is an extremely highly effective footballer. She may be very clever along with her runs, she is a tough participant to play in opposition to in that respect.
“Celebrating her success at Arsenal and never a lot now. She is a superb participant and she or he has been for a few years now so her expertise speaks for itself.”
Williamson has beforehand described Sweden as a “risk” however she has captained her facet to an important win over the crew earlier than.
The Euro 2025 quarter-final is a repeat of the Euro 2022 semi-final. In that recreation England got here out 4-0 winners and went on to beat Germany within the ultimate 2-1 at Wembley.
Williamson was requested if she had spoken to any of the Sweden gamers about that recreation three years in the past and if she thought the consequence nonetheless damage for them.
She mentioned: “I feel if you come up in opposition to a crew when you will have had a earlier fixture like that then you’re all the time most likely going to recollect it. However I feel a lot has occurred since.
“We alluded to it the opposite night time, two very totally different groups now in comparison with that night time. I have never spoke to them about it however I feel as a result of we’ve got performed one another twice since so for us it looks like a very long time in the past so perhaps for them too.”
England and Sweden performed each other within the Euro qualifiers with the 2 nations drawing each video games they performed.
The Lionesses go into the sport as marginal favourites however it’s anticipated to be an in depth recreation. FourFourTwo have predicted it would end 1-1 after additional time and that England will win on penalties.
The Lionesses have gained a penalty shoot-out at a significant match earlier than with the final coming in opposition to Nigeria on the 2023 World Cup.
