Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium

"Here they are in the tunnel, the champions of Europe out to defend their title."

That was the message from the stadium announcer before kick-off and the crowd were loving it.

There's been a great atmosphere so far. It feels like a big game. It IS a big game.

Image source, Getty Images

Away we go then. England begin their defence of the European Championship.

Gilly Flaherty
Former Arsenal and England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

On England defending the European Championship...

I think it adds a bit of pressure as everyone wants to beat England and it's a tough group.

Tonight will be a tough night, but where else is better than a full Wembley? The crowd are going to be a big push for England tonight.

National anthems are under way. Wembley is ready. We're moments away from kick-off.

Image source, Getty Images

A nice touch before the match. The Lionesses are wearing training tops displaying their names in the British Sign Language, to help make football more accessible.

Members of the England women's deaf football team - who finished third at the 2023 World Deaf Championships - will be presented to supporters at half-time.

Faye White
Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

It’s really tough opposition in this qualifier and I have not seen it this hard before, we would have normally had one team in the top 20 in a group with us - every single game against Sweden, France and Republic of Ireland is going to be tough.

Against Sweden and France you wouldn’t have known which way it would have gone, but as European champions England will be tagged as favourites.

BBC Radio 5 Live

BBC Radio 5 Live are building up to this one right about now and will have live commentary from 20:00 BST.

Look, the Lionesses have arrived...

Image source, Getty Images

I can't decide if this is absolutely genius or absolutely petrifying.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium

A notable addition to the Lionesses' shirts tonight as they will wear a "European champions" badge on their sleeves.

They will wear this throughout qualifying and it will be a hurtful reminder to tonight's opponents, who they knocked out on the way to victory at Wembley two years.

England and Aston Villa forward Rachel Daly sat down to discuss the stories behind her tattoos. Including a special one in dedication to the Lionesses' Euros triumph.

Faye White
Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Leah Williamson is the captain and the leader.

Millie Bright is out and for some of the qualifying games for the Olympics England had two big senior players out of their squad.

Leah's been playing and had good game-time for Arsenal, I am not sure she will get 90 minutes tonight as she only played half a game in the Conti Cup Final at the weekend.

Image source, Getty Images

So, England defender Leah Williamson does not start but is on the bench for the Lionesses.

Manager Sarina Wiegman said earlier this week she is "fit and ready" to return for the first time in a year having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in April 2023.

She also withdrew from February's friendlies with a hamstring issue.

But now she's back and ready and raring to go.

"She is in a good place and is ready," said Wiegman.

"We needed to manage her a little bit. She had a full training session yesterday and will be on the pitch again today (Thursday)

"That is really good. She is still building but she is in a good place."

Ellen White
Former England striker on the Women's Football Weekly podcast

Wembley is becoming a fortress and our home - the team love playing at Wembley.

It is the home of English football and so special. The crowd feel it and they are the 12th player for us – it is an iconic place.

The fans have been excited to go back and watch the team.

England fans are out in their droves this evening to support the Lionesses.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Wembley

Image source, BBC Sport

Sarina Wiegman had her game face on in her media conference this week.

She was not interested in reminiscing about past success over Sweden, instead wanting to focus on the here and now.

It's a message she has reiterated in her match programme notes.

"The last time we faced Sweden was one of my most memorable [games] in charge," says Wiegman.

"It was a wonderful night and a game where everything seemed to go for us - but that result doesn't reflect how close the two countries are in a sporting sense.

"Sweden are always a good team and we expect a very difficult game tonight."

She has named an attacking side tonight and has backed Grace Clinton again, a strong vote of confidence for the young midfielder.

On the latest women's football weekly podcast Ben Haines and England Women's record goal scorer Ellen White catch up with the Lionesses!

Hannah Hampton, Niamh Charles and Khiara Keating sit down with Ben and Ellen to discuss all things England ahead of the Euro 2025 qualifiers.

Hannah and Khiara give an insight into the 'goalkeepers' union' and how Khiara is settling in to the Lionesses squad. Niamh talks about wearing the captain's armband for Chelsea and the rivalry between Emma Hayes and Jonas Eidevall.

You can listen to the podcast here!

So we've seen who boss Sarina Wiegman has chosen to face Sweden this evening but earlier this week, we asked you to pick your England starting XI.

You've opted to stick with the tried and trusted with Lucy Bronze, Mary Earps and Alex Greenwood the most popular selections. You can still pick your side here, but it won't alter the final XI.

Faye White
Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

In my time the play-offs were the route through for England at times, but now qualifying for regular tournaments is expected.

I am disappointed the England squad couldn’t qualify for the Olympics to represent Team GB.

Traditionally Sweden have always got the better over us, some of the Swedish players [WSL players] will be familiar and it's going to be a cracking test and a tough one to start of with.

Since it's the start of England's Euro qualifying campaign, it seems like a good time to look back on that historic tournament two years ago (any old excuse, right?)

From thrashing Norway and Northern Ireland in the group stage to edging past Spain in the quarter-final and hammering Sweden in the semis. From Sweet Caroline to that Chloe Kelly winning goal. And of course, THAT viral Jill Scott moment - what are your memories of the tournament?

Send them in to us in all the usual ways.