FRIEND TURNS FOE FOR BRONZE

James marked out as a threat

- Tom Victor in Zurich

SWEDEN manager Peter Gerhardsson is grateful he is not having to mark unpredictable Lauren James tonight.

James scored twice in England's 4-0 win against the Netherlands in Zurich - where the Lionesses face Sweden for a place in the semis - and caused big problems in the 6-1 victory against Wales that followed.

“I’m happy I don’t have to handle her,” said Gerhardsson.

“James is a special one. She does what she thinks is right. As a coach you want structure but James, even if she listens, makes her own decisions out there. I hope we can handle her.”

His midfielder Kosovare Asllani played down talk that the Swedes should be scared. “We respect England but fear? No,” she said. “They have a lot of talent but we play as a team.”

Blues pal can hurt England

SWEDEN V ENGLAND 8PM, BBC ONE/IPLAYER From Tom Victor in Zurich