THE NOTEBOOK: Alessia Russo scores against Sweden again, Grace Clinton makes first competitive start and players wear British Sign Language training tops

England Women drew 1-1 against Sweden at Wembley in their first Euro 2025 qualifying match.

Alessia Russo had opened the scoring for England when she found the net in the 24th minute.

However, Sweden tied in the 64th minute thanks to Fridolina Rolfo.

Tara Anson-Walsh brings you the things you may have missed in the game.

Deja vu

It seemed written in the stars that it would be Alessia Russo who would open the scoring for the Lionesses tonight in the first match of their Euro title defense. The last time England faced Sweden was in the Euro 2022 semi-final, when Russo scored the fourth and final back-heel goal, booking his place in the final in style.

That goal has gone down in Lioness history for its sheer audacity in the semi-final of a major tournament, and Russo’s boots from the match were later displayed in the Tower of London alongside the crown jewels.

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More than a third of the Swedish team plays in the WSL (eight).

There were more than a couple of familiar faces playing for the opposition tonight, and that’s because more than a third of the Swedish team currently plays in the WSL. In the starting eleven on Friday night there were four Swedish players currently playing for a top English club: Julia Zigiotti Olme (Brighton), Filipa Angeldahl (Manchester City), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea) and the Cup heroine Arsenal’s conti from last weekend, Stina Blackstenius. .

There were also three former WSL players, including former Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson, who won five WSL titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups with the Blues.

Clinton’s first competitive start

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding Tottenham midfield sensation Grace Clinton and tonight was the first chance for England fans to see her at home. This was Clinton’s third appearance for the Lionesses, her first two coming during the February friendlies in Spain, when she scored 19 minutes into her debut.

And the 21-year-old looked positive in attack on Friday night, particularly in the first half, sending England’s first shot just wide. She was all smiles when her number showed early in the second half that she was going to be replaced by Ella Toone. Toone could end up being her team-mate if she returns to her parent club, Manchester United, at the end of her season-long loan with Spurs.

Captain Walsh

Sarina Wiegman reiterated that the captaincy belongs to Leah Williamson before kick-off, saying, “If she plays, she’s the captain.” He wasn’t so sure who would take the bracelet in her place, as Mary Earps, Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway had been nominated by Wiegman in the past.

But it was Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh in her 72nd game for the Lionesses who was chosen to lead the team for the first time in a competitive match. Walsh, 26, has proven to be one of England’s most important players and is a mainstay in Wiegman’s starting XI.

bsl t-shirts

The Lionesses were seen wearing a new training kit ahead of tonight’s match with their names displayed in the BSL fingerspelling alphabet. The shirts, created by the FA in collaboration with EE, are designed to celebrate British Sign Language and act as a visual reminder of how football can be made more accessible to all fans.

The England women’s deaf team took the field at half-time to celebrate the bronze they won at the Deaf Futsal World Championship, beating Germany 1-0 in Sao Paulo last year.