England’s Semi-Final Legacy: How Diligence and Unity Drive Success

Geneva, Switzerland — England made a remarkable comeback against Sweden in the quarter-finals, scoring two goals before managing through injury and eventually winning in a tense penalty shootout.

“Lucy Bronze represents true England,” she stated.

The upcoming match against Italy will mark Britain’s sixth major semi-final appearance in the last decade, with Bronze and fellow defender Alex Greenwood being key parts of all six teams.

Defender Esme Morgan, who played as a substitute in the match against Sweden, expressed, “It’s incredible to share the journey we’ve embarked on. It fills us with pride to see how far the game has advanced, knowing that England consistently reaches the latter stages of these tournaments.”

For the Lionesses, reaching the semi-finals has become almost routine, a testament to years of hard work over the past ten years.

– England vs. Sweden had one of the quirkiest penalty shootouts ever
– Women’s Euro 2025 bracket, results, and schedule

Success in the Semis

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Marsden: Britain breathes a “sigh of relief” after penalty win

Sam Marsden reacts to England’s penalty shootout victory over Sweden, advancing them to the women’s Euro 2025 semi-finals.

The 2015 World Cup in Canada marked the beginning of what some refer to as the “Bronze Age,” where England first reached a World Cup semi-final. In that tournament, Bronze played left-back and scored the decisive goal to secure a victory over Norway in the round of 16, followed by a crucial header against Canada in the quarters. Although England lost to Japan in the semis, they finished third, defeating a long-time rival 1-0.

Subsequently, the Lionesses reached the semi-finals of Euro 2017 but suffered a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands under coach Sarina Wiegman. A player from that team noted that reaching this level stemmed from pure grit and an underdog mindset.

However, by the time the 2019 World Cup arrived in France, England was expected to perform at a high level. They showcased their potential with a 3-0 quarter-final win against Norway but faced the US in the semis, marking a shift in the team’s expectations and investments. Under Phil Neville’s management, enhancements in training facilities and financial backing for the Women’s Super League were becoming evident.

When Wiegman took the helm in 2021, these efforts bore fruit, and she established a focused culture with clear communication. She introduced a rule prohibiting players from wearing jewelry during matches and switched the captaincy from Steph Houghton to Leah Williamson. The positive effects became noticeable as England won Euro 2022 on home soil, with the team celebrating together to the tune of “Sweet Caroline.”

That experience proved invaluable as England reached the 2023 World Cup final, only to lose 1-0 to Spain. Bronze excelled both on and off the pitch, often taking the lead in media interactions.

“If we hadn’t reached the semi-finals, we would have felt we weren’t meeting expectations,” she reflected. “Our performance may not have been our finest, but results mattered… Overcoming hurdles like last year’s Euro gave us the momentum to reach the finals.”

“Why” is Motivation

As England gears up for their sixth major semi-final after a decade marked by ups and downs, Bronze continues to lead from the front.

Before the tournament kickoff, each player shared their motivations for representing England with their teammates. In their team room at the Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich, they have images depicting their journeys, including a poignant photo of Bronze from the 2019 World Cup’s third-place match, where she felt utterly exhausted yet driven.

“I give my all whenever I wear an England shirt,” she remarked about her chosen photo. “I wanted all the girls to know my ‘why’. My motivation is to dedicate everything I can to this team, because playing for England means the world to me.”

Following the opening match defeat to France, Bronze spoke again to her teammates, reminding them of their previous first-match loss in 2015 that did not deter them from reaching the semi-finals. They responded with renewed trust in each other.

“We’ve become vulnerable as a team because Sarina herself has shown vulnerability. It has fostered unity and trust, allowing us to share challenging moments,” she said.

“I’m immensely proud of how we, as a team, navigated this. Other teams I’ve been part of might not have handled it as successfully in the past.”

“Sarina has built a strong bond within our team, and we’re committed to supporting one another. While our performance may not always be perfect, we have the quintessential British spirit to drive us forward.”

Unity Brings England Together

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Lawrence: Italy will be fine with the underdog tag against England

Julien Lawrence previews the first semi-final of Women’s Euro 2025, where Italy faces the Defending Champions, England.

The phrase “Proper England” has been a rallying cry during their time in Switzerland, emphasizing a theme of unity that has been central to their success in reaching yet another semi-final.

The “positive click” mentality has been crucial, as players in the squad have supported each other, causing them to be ready to step up when needed. This was evident during the nail-biting quarter-final against the Netherlands, where England had to recover from a 2-0 deficit to win in a penalty shootout.

This past week, defender Jess Carter spoke out against the racism she faced throughout the tournament, leading to a collective show of support from her teammates. They condemned the abuse and announced their decision not to kneel before future matches.

– Carter targeted for racist abuse during Euro 2025
– Bronze reacts to Carter’s racist abuse

Once again, it was Bronze who took the forefront in addressing the media, articulately expressing the anger and sadness that the Lionesses felt regarding Carter’s experience. But how do they maintain their solidarity?

“We’re all professionals who can focus on football while supporting each other,” she emphasized. “We stand behind Jess, and she supports us. No matter the challenges we’re facing, we’re committed to progressing together, which we’ve consistently demonstrated.”

This sense of empowerment both on and off the pitch drives them to strive for success, enabling them to effect change.

As they prepare for their match against Italy in Geneva on Tuesday, emotions are running high. Williamson, who turned her ankle during the game against Sweden, is determined to overcome that pain for the Italy match. The team hopes for a strong performance reminiscent of their matches against the Netherlands and Wales, rather than the earlier challenges against France or Sweden.

If their journey to the 2015 World Cup semi-finals was defined by collective effort, today it embodies the “Proper England” mentality, which has continuously pushed them forward—a sentiment echoed by Bronze, who urged her teammates, “We’re not going home.”

England carries the winning mindset, ready to rally around any teammate in need, facing yet another crucial final stages ahead.