Sweden fell in a dramatic penalty shootout against England – and it was the young talent Smilla Holmberg who came into focus after the decisive match.
After both Jennifer Falk and Sofia Jakobsson failed to secure the victory for Sweden, Holmberg stepped forward as the last shooter. She shot high over the crossbar and Sweden was eliminated from the European Championship.
Holmberg broke down in tears on the field, comforted by her teammates – at the same time as experts in SVT questioned the decision to let her take the penalty.
One should not put that pressure on an 18-year-old, says Lotta Schelin.
I think it's strange that she takes this penalty, says expert Elena Sadiku.
”Brave”
In the national team, however, there is a completely different tone. Holmberg is highlighted as a future leader – precisely because of the courage to step forward in such a decisive moment.
It's so brave that you dare. We have a list (of penalty takers) and it's clear it's different from in training, but I think it's incredibly brave, says Julia Zigiotti Olme, according to Expressen.
Captain Kosovare Asllani is on the same line:
She showed courage and character to go forward and take a penalty as an 18-year-old. I'm proud of her that she took a penalty. It's not easy to go there and shoot a penalty regardless of age, she says.
”Praise her”
Even Madelen Janogy, who was next in line in the penalty order, wants to emphasize how great Holmberg's action was:
One should be proud and praise her, she is incredibly strong. This says so much about her as a character and future career that she steps forward. She should just be praised. She is so cool and I'm proud of her.
Janogy tells that she tried to comfort Holmberg afterwards:
One just tries to remind her that she is incredibly brave and that we do it together. But there's nothing I can say that changes her feelings. One just has to show that we do it together and that it doesn't lie on her.
