The women's soccer team suffered a heartburn in the semi-final against Spain. 0–4 in Málaga was followed by 0–1 at Gamla Ullevi.
Tonight, new national captain Tony Gustavsson's team will have a chance to avenge their defeat when the first leg of the bronze medal match against France is decided in Reims.
A bronze medal match is always important, we want to win, says Manchester United midfielder Julia Zigiotti Olme.
“Still feeling sick”
It's not just the national team captain who is new. Since the matches against Spain in October, two veteran center backs have said goodbye. Magdalena Eriksson chose to quit the national team on the spur of the moment after her body gave out, and Linda Sembrant announced the other day that this collection will be her last in Blågult.
Eriksson's announcement in particular came as a surprise even to his national team mates.
It still feels pretty sick that she won't be there anymore, I haven't really digested it, says Chelsea's Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, a former clubmate of Eriksson in the London team.
She is not only a fantastic player and leader but also a fantastic person. So now it's up to us more experienced players to really step up.
With the dropouts, opportunities open up for others to take over. Tony Gustavsson emphasizes that he really wants to win against France, but at the same time says that he may have to take a few chances – and give inexperienced players playing time.
Asllani captain
After all, it may be the last chance for a while to measure their strength against one of the top nations. In the World Cup qualifiers, which begin this spring, matches against Italy, Denmark and Serbia await.
"We may not face a top 5-ranked team before the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, assuming we get there. Then I can make the assessment now that some players need to be exposed to a top-ranked opposition to take the next step and become important for us. That could affect the team selection," says Gustavsson.
Ahead of the first semi-final against Spain, he revealed the entire starting eleven in advance. He won't repeat that "mistake", but at least he says that veteran midfielder Kosovare Asllani will start tonight, with the captain's armband around his arm.
Despite the experienced foxes' defection, Julia Zigiotti Olme is positive about the future of the Swedish national team.
I also think we need a generational shift, we need to see who we have from below who can grow into it, says Zigiotti Olme.
France–Sweden kicks off at 9:10 p.m.
