Decisive meeting against Serbia: "Tougher task"

Luxembourg was no greater concern as expected for Sweden. It can become much harder against Serbia, which now awaits in a decisive European Championship playoff. It is definitely a tougher task, says Magdalena Eriksson.

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Decisive meeting against Serbia: "Tougher task"
Photo: Björn Larsson Rosvall/TT

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The women's national team has Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg as their national arena.

When the European Championship spot can be secured on December 3 – the return match against Serbia – it's artificial turf at Tele2 in Stockholm that applies.

But considering the time of year, it's a good solution, thinks Magdalena Eriksson.

I think it's probably the best alternative we can get in a match so late in the year, says the Bayern Munich defender.

I think it will benefit us, that it will be able to go fast.

Sweden beat Luxembourg on Tuesday evening with a whole 8–0 and 12–0 in total.

At the same time, Serbia – which eliminated Bosnia-Herzegovina in the first playoff step – is a completely different opponent, notes Magdalena Eriksson.

"This glow"

She particularly highlights her club teammate in Bayern Munich, attacking star Jovana Damnjanovic.

It's this glow. They have a special glow, especially Damnjanovic, she says.

She's a skilled offensive player, but she also works incredibly hard and isn't afraid to get into close combat and tackle.

Sweden starts the double match away in late November.

A few days later, it will be decided whether it will be European Championship games in Switzerland next year, or if the national team misses another championship after the Olympic Games miss.

"Pretty expected"

It was pretty expected that it would be Serbia. It's a team that has some skilled players, including in Bayern Munich, says national team coach Peter Gerhardsson.

But we have three players in Bayern Munich who know her.

What do you think about the home match being decided at Tele2?

We don't have many alternatives, really. But the advantage is that we played there against Bosnia in the spring and did a good job then, says Peter Gerhardsson.

It will be a very special match, of course, because then and there it will be decided whether we'll go to the European Championship. So I hope we get good crowd support.

Qualified for the European Championship 2025: Switzerland (host nation), France, England, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Iceland.

The remaining seven spots are filled through playoffs.

The final playoff step (double matches in the November-December shift):

Sweden-Serbia, Portugal-Czech Republic, Scotland-Finland, Ukraine-Belgium, Wales-Ireland, Poland-Austria, Northern Ireland-Norway.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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