With England facing off against Sweden in the quarter final of the Euros this week, there is one key bit of history on the Lionesses side.
Throughout their history in the tournament England have never been knocked out of the European Championship at the quarter final stage.
England history at European Championships
England will do battle with Sweden on Thursday night in the quarter finals of Euro 2025.
See below for all six renewals of the Euros where England have made it to the quarter finals and how far the team went after the first round of knockouts.
1984 – Reached final
The 1984 Euros looked a lot different to the competition that we have grown to know and love in the 21st century.
In the inaugural women’s Euros there was just four groups involved in the tournament.
All teams played each other twice making for six group games, with only the winner of each advancing to the semi-final stage.
England made it all the way to the final in their first attempt but had their hearts broken by Sweden who took home the trophy after an intense penalty shootout.
1987 – Reached semi-final
For the second women’s European Championship in history England had the same regional group and again they eased to victory against Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland – with no losses in six group games.
England weren’t as lucky in the tournament hosted by Norway this year though as they suffered a shock loss to Sweden in the semi-final.
The game went to extra time but the Lionesses couldn’t make up for mistakes at Euro 1984 with a second consecutive Euros exit to Sweden.
England played the third place playoff against Italy which ended 2-1 to their opponents, as the team finished fourth.
1995 – Reached semi-final
Having failed to qualify for the Euros in the previous three renewals of the tournament, England had a lot to prove in 95′.
For the first time in history England advanced to the new-look quarter finals with five nations hosting the tournament – including England.
There was no problem in the quarters against Iceland over the new two-legged format as England won 4-2 on aggregate.
The semi-final was a much tougher prospect against Germany, who put six past England before going on to win the final.
Unlike previous years, there was no third place playoff in 1995.
2009 – Reached final
There was another 14 year gap before England qualified for the Euros but since 2009 the national team has had much better funding and played a more prominent role in the competition.
Although the Lionesses were disappointing in the group stage, they advanced to the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed teams in the tournament.
In the knockouts England began to show their quality again and after a narrow margin victory over Finland the team earned a spot in the semi’s against the Netherlands.
The Dutch took England to extra time, but a dramatic late goal from 22-year-old Jill Scott secured a spot in a first final in 25 years.
Waiting in the final once again was Germany and they showed their dominance on the women’s stage with a record fifth title in a row as they trounced England 6-2.
2017 – Reached semi-final
The 2017 Euros were held in the Netherlands and England kicked off their tournament to a flyer, cruising through the group stage with three wins before facing France in the quarter finals.
France proved to be no problem for the Lionesses who brushed aside their opponents thanks to a second half finish from Jodie Taylor.
Expectations were high for England after a dominant run to the semi-finals but it was there that the team was faced with its stiffest challenge yet in shape of the tournament hosts.
The Netherlands put England to the sword on their home turf and there was no denying the winners, as the hosts qualified for the final following a 3-0 win.
Although they were eliminated at the semi-final stage there was certainly positives to take from England’s progression in 2017 as the team began a dominant run on the major tournament stage.
2022 – Won Euros
Of course the last time England made it to the quarter finals at the Euros they won it all, with the nation’s first ever major trophy coming in 2022.
With the tournament hosted in England for just the second time in history the win was all the more special.
While they didn’t get knocked out in the 2022 quarter final, England’s clash against Spain was arguably their hardest match of the tournament.
The Lionesses survived a scare from Spain and advanced to the semi-final thanks to a Georgia Stanway goal in the 96th minute.
England’s semi-final against upcoming opponents, Sweden, was a much easier task as Sarina Wiegman’s team cruised into the final against Germany thanks to a stylish 4-0 win.
Again the Lionesses were taken to extra time in the final and a record-breaking Euros attendance watched on as Chloe Kelly etched her name in history with a winning goal in the 110th minute.
2025 – ?
Having made it to the quarter final stage for a record third time in a row this year, England are in a prime position for another deep run in the tournament.
England are 1/1 to beat Sweden in the quarter final according to the UK’s best betting sites, and the Lionesses are priced at just 4/1 to retain their title from 2022.
Sweden can’t be underestimated though and after winning all three of their group games in a difficult run they can certainly give the Lionesses a good run for their money.
