On a snowy Swissporarena, one of the women's national team's more disappointing milestones took place in December 2023. After participating in 23 consecutive championships, Sweden missed the Olympic Games in Paris after a surprising loss away to Switzerland (0–1) in the Nations League.
It was snowy, it was cold. They are perhaps not great memories, says midfielder Nathalie Björn.
Peter Gerhardsson thought he had repressed the match, but cannot forget it.
We could not train here the day before the match. We had to be there, a hundred meters away, says Gerhardsson at Monday's press conference at the match arena, and points out the window.
And there we had to, all players and leaders, shovel the pitch. I have never experienced that and will never experience it again, I do not know if anyone will get to experience it. That is, shoveling a pitch in order the day before a match in the Nations League match ... I would like to see France's men do that. Or no, I would not like to.
Rain and thunder
Now the Swedish European Championship team has a chance to create new, more pleasant memories in Luzern. After 1–0 against Denmark in the premiere, there is a chance to secure advancement already now. Then three points are required against Poland, while Denmark loses points to Germany.
It's just about winning, says Nathalie Björn.
She remembers the terrible weather from the last time the national team was here. A bit typical because the sweltering Swiss summer has suddenly and unexpectedly been replaced by grey clouds, cooler temperatures and heavy rain.
This time, Sweden got to train on the match arena, but to the backdrop of lightning and thunder.
But it's actually going to be really nice that it's going to get a bit colder. Because it's been really warm and I think all players have felt the heat, says Björn.
8–0 in matches
Sweden has met Poland eight times, and won every time. The goal difference, 31–3 in favor of Sweden, says something about the gap between the countries in a historical perspective.
The Poles showed, however, in the premiere against Germany (0–2) that they can stand up well even against top nations. In addition, they have the Barcelona star Ewa Pajor.
There are few teams in the European Championship that have such an exceptionally good player. We have to keep an eye on her and mark her out. Pernille Harder (in Denmark) had three shots, one of which hit the crossbar, if she had scored, we would not have made it. It's the same with Pajor, says Peter Gerhardsson.
Neither Fridolina Rolfö nor Magdalena Eriksson played against Denmark and are still uncertain cards. However, there seems to be no danger with team captain Kosovare Asllani and first goalkeeper Jennifer Falk. Both trained individually on Sunday, but were now back on the training pitch.
Lasse Mannheimer/TT
Facts: The situation in Sweden's group
TT
- Germany, 3 points, +2 in goal difference. 2) Sweden, 3, +1. 3) Denmark, 0, –1. 4) Poland, 0, –2.
Results: Sweden–Denmark 1–0, Germany–Poland 2–0.
Remaining matches: July 8: Germany–Denmark (18.00), Poland–Sweden (21.00). July 12: Sweden–Germany, Poland–Denmark (both 21.00).
If two or more teams end up with the same number of points, the head-to-head matches will decide.
If the number of points in head-to-head matches cannot distinguish between the teams, the following will be used in turn: a) goal difference in head-to-head matches, b) most goals scored in head-to-head matches, c) goal difference in the entire group stage, d) most goals scored in the group stage, e) lowest number of disciplinary points (warnings/red cards), f) ranking on UEFA's European Championship qualifying ranking.
Footnote: If two teams that meet in the last round play a draw and then have the same number of points, the same goal difference and cannot be distinguished by head-to-head matches, a penalty shootout will decide which team advances.
