Image source, Getty Images

England have been on quite the journey to get to the semi-finals.

The group stages began with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to France, a performance and result that sparked concerns about how far in the tournament the Lionesses could actually go.

They answered the sceptics with a thumping 4-0 victory against the Netherlands in a must-win game, before thrashing Wales 6-1 to qualify for the knockouts as runners-up in Group D.

Group C winners Sweden awaited them in the quarter-finals.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter in Geneva

"Complacency is the biggest mistake" said Sarina Wiegman when I put it to her that England, on paper, are favourites and asked how they intend to avoid a slip-up against a lower-ranked nation.

She was, as expected, strong in her response that Italy are not to be underestimated and she stressed her players will not be complacent.

Everyone knows football is not won on paper - as the cliche goes - so this really is a battle of the minds as well as on the pitch.

Italian players have come across almost starstruck to be at this stage in interviews with their media so it will be interesting to see how they cope with the occasion.

England are used to it. Italy are not.

Not long to go now. Team news will be dropping in about three hours and kick-off is in four hours in Geneva.

What a night it could be for the Lionesses.

Another hour down, but who's counting?

The atmosphere is building and fans are out in full force to show support to the Lionesses in Switzerland.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Siobhan Chamberlain
Former England goalkeeper on BBC 5 live

Look at even the experience that comes off the bench, Chole Kelly, she scored you the winner in the last Euros and she's not even playing. Beth Mead who was one of the best players or the best player in the last Euros thats coming off the bench.

The experience that England have got across the board is so beneficial.

You look at the players that are starting for England, Alex Greenwood won her 100th cap, you've got Lucy Bronze that's got a phenomenal number of caps. There's experience all the way through.

There's experience all the way through, whether that's on the bench, on the pitch, management, Sarina Wiegman's run it time and time again. So, that ultimate helps you in these big moments.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Though the top division of women's football in Italy was established in 1968, it's only in recent years that their domestic game turned fully professional.

The national team have never dropped below 19th in Fifa's world rankings - but they did fail to qualify for four successive World Cups between 2003 and 2015.

So what kind of challenge will Italy pose England when they meet tonight?

"They have got a never-say-die attitude. They are a very aggressive, hard team to play against," said England forward Beth Mead. "They can be frustrating and they have individual quality.

"It's going to be a tough game and I know they are very much going to be up for it. They have something to prove, as do we.

"We are defending champions but we've got to go out there and put the performance in. We've got to be at the races to beat this Italian team."

In recent meetings, England have come out on top. Sarina Wiegman's side earned a 2-1 win in the Arnold Clark Cup in February 2023, before inflicting a 5-1 defeat in a friendly 12 months later.

Image source, Sophia Hartley

Fans from across the globe are flocking to Switzerland to watch the Euros. Some fans came just to watch the Lionesses campaign, but others are making friends for life too.

Three new friends, Chrissy, Kerry and Charlotte all met whilst attending the tournament alone but have been inseparable since:

"Charlotte was wearing a Lionesses t-shirt and I really like it so I went over to her at the boarding gate and said 'oh I really love your shirt, are you out for the Euros?,' said Kerry.

"She went 'yes' and we traded Instagram and from there stayed in contact.

"I find with this sport, you can be yourself and go out alone, there's going to be so many other people around as well and we're all in the same boat so we can just be together."

According to Chrissy she met the other two [Kerry and Charlotte] whilst in Zurich outside waiting for the fan walk and they all happened to be eating ice cream and started bonding over ice cream flavours, when they realised they were all out there by themselves:

"We basically joined the fan walk together after talking about ice cream. We found each other again in Zurich stadium and stayed in touch ever since," said Chrissy.

Just joining us? Maybe you've slipped off from work early in preparation for tonight's game.

We've been going for a few hours already but don't you worry, we've got plenty more left in the tank.

Here's a look at all the best bits so far:

• England fans showing their colours off in Geneva
• How did we get here?
• Team news from Sarina Wiegman ahead of the game
• Lionesses won't take the knee against Italy
• England's record in semi-finals
• And the best of your reaction so far - keep it coming!

Karen Bardsley
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm feeling pretty good about tonight, if I'm being honest. I'm feeling very confident in England.

Italy have been a bit unpredictable, so I do think they have their own vulnerabilities, but ultimately it will depend on which England shows up.

Italy will offer less of a transitional threat going forward. Their talismanic striker Cristiana Girelli doesn't tend to run in behind as much, so I don't think England's backline will be as stretched. They can still whip in a great cross though. Sofia Cantore links up really nicely and puts some good deliveries into the area.

It will be interesting to see Sarina Wiegman's team selection as well, in terms of how she handles their threat in physicality.

Let's see if we can ease those nerves with a little exercise in positive visualisation.

England have reached at least the semi-finals in every Euro and World Cup competition since 2015.

So let's revisit some of their most memorable major tournament semi-finals...

Image source, Getty Images

Former England midfielder Jill Scott celebrates with team-mate Karen Carney after scoring the winning goal during England's semi-final match against the Netherlands at Euro 2009.

Image source, Getty Images

England forward Alessia Russo celebrates scoring the Lionesses' third goal during their Euro 2022 semi-final against Sweden at Bramall Lane.

Image source, Getty Images

England attacking midfielder Ella Toone celebrates opening the scoring in the Lionesses' semi-final win over Australia at the 2023 World Cup.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Here is another option for the extended dog walk Jim...

BBC Radio 5 Live will have full coverage of tonight's semi-final live from Stade de Geneve.

You can listen to and follow the match on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.

Build-up starts at 19:00 BST, with full match commentary from 20:00 BST, followed by a special Euro 2025: 606 show with presenter Natalie Pike and former England forward Toni Duggan.

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

Jim has got it all mapped out there.

Maybe just remember to have a back story planned for extra-time and penalties!

• England became the first team to progress from a knockout tie at the Euros having trailed by two goals [eventually beating Sweden 3-2 on penalties after the match ended 2-2].
• Italy have opened the scoring in all four of their matches at Euro 2025.
• The Lionesses have won seven of their last 10 games against Italy in all competitions.
• England are playing in their seventh Euros semi-final, progressing to the final twice in their last three tries.
• Italy, who are ranked 13th in the world, are playing in their first Euros semi-final since 1997.

No doubt who are the favourites in this young England fan's eyes - it's written all over her face!

Image source, Nick Waterworth

Siobhan Chamberlain
Former England goalkeeper on BBC 5 live

Italy being underdogs takes that pressure off.

They can just go out there and enjoy the game tonight. No one’s expecting them to win the semi-final.

No one expected them get to the semi-final so that allows you as a player to just go out there and enjoy yourself.

Embrace the moment, you might not get to a semi-final again.

It’s a fantastic opportunity, they have got good players - nobody gets to this stage to a tournament without having good players.

England undoubtedly are the favourites and rightly so, they should win this game, more comfortably than they did the quarter-final.

But a semi-final of a major tournament, you never know what's going to happen.