Women’s Euro 2025 draw: England’s Sarina Wiegman says ‘no easy things anymore’

Wiegman was captain under the Netherlands boss Jonker and they have been friends for almost 30 years.

“It is always special because we’re friends. Normally with friends you wish them the best, but as sportspeople we want to beat the other one,” said Jonker.

“We want to win. That means you have to hurt your friend. But we are both on the same page and the respect for each other won’t change.

“We met after the draw. I said to her, ‘Did you ever think we would be standing here together?’ Our history goes back to the 90s.

“Now we are here on stage and going to play each other in the European Championship. It is a special moment.”

Jonker said the “winner of Group D can win the whole tournament” and former Lioness Anita Asante is backing England to have the tools to defend their title.

“I don’t see why not. In tournament football, everything is possible,” said Asante, when asked if England could go all the way in Switzerland.

“It’s all about how you navigate your journey, how you manage expectation and the pressure when it matters most, and who capitalises in those critical moments.

“That’s football. You can be the best team, play the best football and you can lose. I think England know that.

“Many of them are accustomed to being at finals now. We’ve won a final, we’ve reached a World Cup final – they will be ready for the challenge.”