ALEX CROOK PREVIEW: England (W) v Italy (W)

England can count themselves more than a little fortunate to still be in contention to retain their European crown having flirted with elimination several times over in the quarter finals, writes ALEX CROOK.

Sarina Wiegman’s charges had to make history to dump out Sweden in an at times comical penalty shootout by becoming the first team to win a Women’s Euro knockout tie from two goals down.

Wiegman, bidding to reach her third final in a row, will be hoping the dramatic nature of that victory can prove the catalyst for going all the way after a topsy-turvy opening four performances.

There is no doubt the Lionesses have the edge over Italy when it comes to big-game experience.

This will be their sixth consecutive major semi-final while the Italians have not been this deep into the tournament since 1997.

This is almost unchartered territory in recent years as between 2003 and 2015 they did not qualify for the World Cup and in 2023 they went out in group stages after getting battered in the group 5-0 by Sweden.

In the last two Euros the two-time runners up crashed out in the group stage.

⭐️ STARSPORTS.BET FOOTBALL MARKETS ⭐️

England have won three of their seven previous semis and they have also come out on top in seven of their last ten meetings with Italy, who are the lowest ranked side of the four nations remaining.

They picked up some notable results during their Nations League campaign and should have beaten Portugal in the group phase, but lost to tournament favourites Spain and were expected to beat a poor Norway side.

On paper this is arguably an easier game than the Sweden clash and England have the better players. However, Italy will feel they can exploit the defensive weaknesses Wiegman’s side showed in that game and in their group stage loss to France.

Cristiana Girelli is someone the England back-line will have to be aware of. The 35-year-old veteran was top scorer in Serie A last season and netted both goals in the quarter final victory against Norway.

England’s own star forward Alessia Russo has struggled in front of goal so far, netting just once in the 6-1 demolition of Wales, but this could be her time to shine.

My build-a-bet is England to win in 90 minutes and both Girelli and Russo to score at any time, which returns 13.86/1 with starsports.bet.

Providing the Sweden victory has a galvanising impact and not a confidence-denting one due to the poor nature of the performance, I fancy England to want to make a statement ahead of a likely final with Spain.

England to be winning at half-time and full-time looks like value at 29/20 with starsports.bet.

I also like England at -1 on the handicap at 13/8 with starsports.bet.

---

RECOMMENDED BETS
Build-a-bet: England to win in 90 minutes and both Cristiana Girelli and Alessia Russo to score at any time 1pt at 13.86/1 with starsports.bet
BACK England to be winning at half-time and full-time 1pt at 29/20 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK England at -1 on the handicap 1pt at 13/8 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

---

STAR PROMOTIONS