Leah Williamson on facing Arsenal team-mate Stina Blackstenius and banning ABBA ahead of England’s Euro 2025 clash against Sweden | OneFootball

Leah Williamson warned her side of the threat of her Arsenal team-mate Stina Blackstenius ahead of England’s quarter-final clash against Sweden.

The Lionesses face Sweden, who topped group C ahead of Germany, in Zurich on Thursday after qualifying second in group D, behind France.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, the Lionesses captain spoke about the threat her Arsenal teammate, who scored the winner in the Champions League final, poses up front.

“Stina is an incredibly powerful footballer,” Williamson said. “She’s very intelligent with her runs. She’s a hard player to play against in that respect.

“We were celebrating her success at Arsenal but not so much now. She’s a great player and she has been for many years now. Her experience speaks for itself.”

England faced Sweden in the semi-final of Euro 2022, where the Lionesses came out victorious 4-0 at Bramall Lane.

Sweden will be looking for revenge with WIlliamson admitting they will be a tough team to beat in Switzerland.

“When you come up against a team where you had a previous fixture like that, you will always remember it,” Williamson added. “But so much has happened since. It’s two very different teams now compared to that night [in 2022].

“We’ve played each other twice since and last year – so for us, it seems like a long time ago. Maybe for them too.

“Sweden’s previous results at tournaments are incredible. They are relentless when it comes to tournament football. We have been looking and they are a very organised team who work hard and it will be a tough game.

“When you have a team who work for each other like Sweden, then you don’t need to necessarily have a crazy standout threat because everyone plays their roles. They are hard to prepare for in that sense. The discipline for them all to complete their jobs on the pitch makes them a dangerous side.”

Sweden fans told our Hayters reporter that they thought Sweden would beat England because “ABBA are better than the Beatles,” but Williamson disagreed.

“That is a strong, strong statement,” she said. “I don’t agree with that I’m afraid. One might be easier to dance to but no.

“I don’t think ABBA will be on the playlist [ahead of the fixture]. But, I mean, it worked in 2022 so I don’t want to banish ABBA completely!”