England Women v France Women preview: Lionesses target semi-final spot

By Mathieu Wood

Casey Stoney is set to make a comeback for England

Casey Stoney is adamant that England can overcome a long-standing record and defeat France for the first time since 1974 at the Women's European Championship. 

Stoney, who is fit after a hamstring problem which prevented her from featuring in the group stage, admits that England will need to overcome a mental barrier when the two sides meet in Deventer on Sunday night.

The 35-year-old could make her 131st senior appearance for
the Lionesses and is full of confidence that Mark Sampson's side will defeat their "enemy" and secure a semi-final spot.

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England have won three from three in the group stages

"We know the history of the two teams," Stoney said ahead of the quarter-final. "We know the results. Where the change is with the mentality of this team and the belief we have now got going into this game.

"I have been involved in this team a long time and I have no fear going into this game and absolute belief that we can get over the line and win this game and get ourselves into the semi-finals.

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"We know previously they have been our enemy, knocked us out of quite a few tournaments and I have been involved in those."
The Lionesses opened their campaign with a resounding 6-0 victory, thanks mainly to a fine hat-trick from Jodie Taylor, over Scotland before a determined performance saw them stroll to a 2-0 victory against Spain. A much-changed England made it three wins from three by easing to a 2-1 win over Portugal in the final group match.

Sampson: England are better now

Head coach Mark Sampson says his Lionesses are better now than when they made history at the 2015 Women's World Cup.

Sampson is similarly unperturbed by England's record against France and credited his side's belief and progression as reasons why they'll live up to their title-winning credentials in the knock-out encounter.

"I am completely confident in our capacity to deliver a performance that will get this England team into another semi-final," said Sampson.
"We go into this game on a great run of form this year having won against the world champions [United States]. This is a team that feel confident, that feel whatever the game brings we can find the solutions to make sure the outcome is an England win."

Jodie Taylor is set to return to the England starting line-up

Team news
Stoney is fit after a hamstring problem and could go straight into the starting line-up against France, while Sampson is set to recall the majority of the 10 players rested in 2-1 win over Portugal, including tournament top scorer Jodie Taylor.

France were handed a major blow as skipper and key centre-back Wendie Renard earned herself a suspension for the last eight encounter. Eve Perisset is also suspended for the clash.