Underdog spirit still vital, insists Bronze

LUCY Bronze urged defending champions England to draw on the underdog mentality buried deep in their DNA when they kick off their Euro 2025 quarterfinal with Sweden in Zurich tonight.

- By RACHEL STEINBERG

The 33-year-old right-back is the most experienced member of Sarina Wiegman’s side, having now featured in seven major tournaments since she travelled to Euro 2013 as an uncapped member of Hope Powell's squad.

In Switzerland, Bronze’s teammates have drawn on the Chelsea defender's wisdom as they navigated a rollercoaster group stage, particularly in the wake of their opening defeat to France.

“We said we're a ‘new England; a new team,’ said Bronze.

“And what was meant by that was, we had a lot of younger players and new players who have very different experiences of playing for England compared to the likes of myself, where we know that England used to have to dig deep all the time, always.