Before Friday's match in 30-degree Parma, Sweden had a hold on the semifinal spot in the Nations League's Group 4 in the A division.
After 0–0, it is instead more open before Tuesday's group finale when Sweden takes on Denmark and Wales. Group leader Sweden still has a semifinal spot in their own hands, but needs at least one point against Denmark at Strawberry Arena in Solna.
Denmark defeated Wales (1–0) on Friday evening and has, like Sweden, nine points, but since Sweden defeated Denmark in the away match in February (2–1), a draw in the Denmark match on Tuesday will be enough to secure first place.
Home team Italy, ranked 14th in the world behind sixth-placed Sweden, was closest to victory, even though both teams had a goal disallowed in each half. Italy's Martina Piemonte nodded in a ball in the 40th minute. The French referee team, led by the experienced Stéphanie Frappart, disallowed it for offside. In the 53rd minute, Nathalie Björn was called off for a free kick when she nodded in the ball on a corner.
Falk saved the point
Jennifer Falk made several fine saves, not least in the first half. Which resulted in Sweden taking a point from the match. In the 69th minute, the Häcken goalkeeper also had help from the upper part of the crossbar when substitute and veteran Christiana Girelli finished.
A few minutes later, Sweden called for a penalty since Smilla Holmberg was knocked down without action from the referee team.
I didn't fall for a filming and it felt like a touch anyway, says Holmberg to SVT.
The debutant impressed
The 18-year-old Hammarby defender was, along with Häcken's Felicia Schröder, one of the surprises in national team captain Peter Gerhardsson's Swedish starting eleven. Both made their A-national team debuts and above all Holmberg impressed.
It was incredible, it has been a big dream and it was so fun to play. I enjoyed every second out there, says Holmberg.
Magdalena Eriksson, who wore the captain's armband when Kosovare Asllani started on the bench, was warned for dangerous play in the 37th minute. The Bayern Munich defender will thus miss the crucial match against Denmark in three days.
Table, A division, group 4
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Sweden, 9 points, +2 goal difference
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Denmark, 9 p, +-0
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Italy, 7 p, +1
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Wales, 2 p, –3
Friday's matches: Italy–Sweden (0–0, Parma), Denmark–Wales (1–0, Odense).
Tuesday's matches: Sweden–Denmark (19.30, Solna), Wales–Italy (19.30, Swansea).
If two or more teams finish on the same points, the following will decide in order: 1) head-to-head matches, 2) goal difference in head-to-head matches, 3) goals scored in head-to-head matches.
The group winner advances to the semifinal in the Nations League, which is played in October.
