Footballers miss the summer OS party – but foreign professionals won't get a break.
UEFA decided to squeeze in the two last EM qualification matches in July.
After two consecutive OS silver medals, the Swedish women's national football team missed qualifying for the summer Olympics in Paris. The team's disappointment was huge in the fall, but it would also give them a well-needed break.
Then UEFA decided to schedule the two last and decisive rounds of EM qualification in the middle of July.
On July 12, France awaits on away grounds before the group stage ends at home against England four days later.
Captain Kosovare Asllani is critical.
Björn:
This is the fourth summer in a row where foreign professionals won't have a continuous summer break – mainly due to championships being moved forward due to the pandemic. In 2021, the OS was held in Tokyo, in 2022, the EM was held in England, and last year, the VM was held in Australia and New Zealand.
As an extra "bonus", top clubs have started to play friendly matches on other continents. For example, Arsenal's women's team finished the league on May 18 and six days later played a friendly match in Australia.
This development makes Kosovare Asllani sigh.
As for herself, Asllani is sitting on an outgoing contract with Milan. She won't reveal where she'll play next season, but Milan will travel to Mexico for two friendly matches from June 9-16.
Sweden beat Ireland in EM qualification on Friday with a 3-0 score and the national team is now gathered in Stockholm. The teams will meet again at Friends Arena on Tuesday.
The qualification for the 2025 European Football Championship in Switzerland is divided into several divisions, similar to the Nations League setup. Sweden plays in the A-division, the highest.
The first and second in A-division's four groups will go directly to the EM. The third and fourth will have to play a playoff in the fall. Switzerland is directly qualified.
Sweden's matches: April 5, England 1-1 (away), April 9, France 0-1 (home), May 31, Ireland 3-0 (away), June 4, Ireland (home), July 12, France (away), July 16, England (home).
