Stina Blackstenius on the bench as Smilla Holmberg starts for Sweden against Lithuania

Perhaps most striking is that attacking star Stina Blackstenius is on the bench. Instead, Evelyn Ijeh will form a strike partnership with Felicia Schröder. Smilla Holmberg is in the back line, despite spraining her foot at the beginning of the week.

"Our medical team has done a phenomenal job getting Smilla ready to start the match," national team coach Tony Gustavsson told the association's website.

Also back from a long-term injury, Nathalie Björn starts as captain in central defence.

The return match against Lithuania will be played in Solna on Tuesday. The winner of the two-legged tie will then face the winner of Scotland and the Czech Republic, with a World Cup place at stake.

The match in Kaunas kicks off at 18:05.

Sweden's starting eleven (4–4–2): Jennifer Falk – Smilla Holmberg, Nathalie Björn, Bella Andersson, Anna Sandberg – Matilda Vinberg, Hanna Lundkvist, Julia Zigiotti Olme, Anna Anvegård – Felicia Schröder, Evelyn Ijeh.

Substitutes: Zećira Mušović, Moa Edrud, Amanda Nildén, Monica Jusu Bah, Beata Olsson, Rosa Kafaji, Stina Blackstenius, Amanda Ilestedt, Filippa Angeldahl, Hanna Bennison, Sofia Reidy, Alice Bergström.