Lionesses Diary - Day 21: Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy looms

The day of the Lionesses’ semi-final clash has arrived as they face Italy in Geneva in search of a third consecutive major final appearance.

Having arrived in the border city that sits in the shadows of the French Alps last night, the England squad will not have had more striking scenery to take in on their pre-match walk.

Here is everything you need to know from day 21 at Euro 2025.

READ MORE: How to watch England vs Italy - TV channel, live stream, Euro 2025 semi-final kick-off time

READ MORE: Why Lionesses are not taking a knee as England face Italy in Euro 2025 semi-final clash

Today in camp

Thoughts will almost be entirely occupied by the upcoming game against Italy that kicks off at 8pm UK time this evening.

Preparation on the pitch will all have been completed as final team talks are delivered, with no one knowing more acutely than the players exactly what is at stake.

The focus will surely be on starting far stronger than they did against Sweden, conceding a Kosovare Asllani strike after two minutes which instantly put them on the back foot.

The Lionesses have been known to come out strong, against all three group stage opponents they showed as much, and they will hope to channel that energy into a crunch clash against the Italians.

While showers were forecast, the sun was out as they hit the streets for their pre-match stroll, and they will hope it metaphorically continues to shine on their chances of progression.

Team news

Sarina Wiegman confirmed Leah Williamson was fit to start against Italy, having completed training on Monday.

The England captain had been seen leaving Stadion Letzigrund in a boot and on crutches after falling awkwardly on her ankle against Sweden.

But Wiegman said in her pre-match press conference that she was able to complete a full session out on the grass at Sportanlage Au and thus could play in the Euro 2025 semi-final, much to the relief of Lionesses’ fans.

Trending topics

For the first time in the competition the Lionesses will not be taking the knee ahead of their semi-final tie.

It follows the racist abuse that defender Jess Carter has been subject to on social media throughout the tournament, causing her to speak out and hand over her accounts to be managed by someone else.

FIFA, UEFA and the FA, as well as the Lionesses themselves, have all released statements condemning the vile abuse but still little changes structurally.

It has led the Lionesses to collective decide to stop taking the knee as they call on higher authorities to take more impactful action.

They felt that the message they were trying to send by kneeling was simply not being heard.

Quote of the day

“We know [the fans] will turn up, we have no doubt about that. We love football as a nation. The Lionesses’ fans never let us down in the stadiums.

“It will be really nice because it’s a closer stadium, the last few games we’ve had the running track around, so it will be quite intense and hopefully there’ll be a lot of noise.” - Georgia Stanway

What are the pundits saying?

Rachel Daly and Millie Bright were keen to stress England’s need for a better start if they are to find joy against Italy.

The Lionesses found themselves 2-0 down after 25 minutes against Sweden as wayward passing at proved their undoing and they found themselves unable to match their opponent’s fervour in attack.

“I don’t want us to start like we did [against Sweden]. I don’t want us to be passive, I don’t to think, ‘Oh Italy we’ll be fine,’” said Daly on the Daly Brightness Podcast.

“Italy have been very good in their last games, and they’ve got a lot of attacking threat, so I think defensively we need to be a lot better, and we need to be solid from minute one.

“I’m excited and I think we definitely have it in the bag, but we need to start how we’re ending games.”

Best of the rest

The Swiss national team have been going viral after sharing on social media that they sent packages of Swiss treats to each team competing in Euro 2025.

They shared videos of the team themselves packing each box to send out, accompanied by their opponents opening their surprise boxes.

The package included a handwritten note, postcards of the beautiful Swiss scenery and treats like paprika crisps, Ovomaltine chocolate bars and Kagi hazelnut chocolate snacks.

Semi-finalists Germany looked delighted on receipt of their boxes as they perused the selection in front of them.

It marks a thoughtful gift befitting what good hosts Switzerland have been at Euro 2025.

It does beg the question, however, that if England had done similar three years ago, what would have been in the boxes? An OXO cube and some Bovril?