The loss was nevertheless a significant step in the right direction in Tony Gustavsson's third international match as national team captain. In the first two, in the Nations League semi-finals against Spain, there were two losses and zero goals scored (0–4, 0–1).
For quite a while, it looked like it would be exactly the same in the first bronze medal match in the best of two.
If anyone doubted that Tony Gustavsson is building a new Swedish national team, Friday's match in Reims should be proof enough. For the second international match in a row, he chose to put players like Fridolina Rolfö, Stina Blackstenius and Linda Sembrant on the bench - a trio who have made almost 400 senior international appearances between them.
It's Tony's decision how he chooses to form the team, and today he chose that, so it was just a matter of trying to come in with energy, Blackstenius tells SVT.
Young starting eleven
Into the starting eleven instead with unproven youngsters such as Elma Junttila Nelhage (1 international) Felicia Schröder (3), Monica Jusu Bah (3), Smilla Holmberg (7) and Anna Sandberg (8).
It didn't always look so coordinated and the risk-taking was a bit too much at times. In added time in the first half, that's exactly what gave France a 1-0 lead - even though Sweden had created the best scoring chances up until then through Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (free position), Kosovare Asllani (heavy shot from close range, right at the goalkeeper) and Felicia Schröder (two excellent headers).
Elma Juntilla Nelhage lost the ball to Kadidiatou Diani just outside the Swedish penalty area, and a second later Anna Sandberg entered the duel with Diani too late – and hit the Frenchwoman's leg instead of the ball. After video review, the referee pointed to the penalty spot and Sakina Karchaoui scored the opening goal.
In the second half, Felicia Schröder was replaced by Stina Blackstenius. A little later, Fridolina Rolfö came in for Monica Jusu Bah.
The veterans behind the goal
The two veterans were behind Sweden's equalizer – the national team's first goal under Tony Gustavsson.
Kosovare Asllani (playing his 206th international) passed to Rolfö, who passed it deep to Anna Sandberg. The cross from the left found Blackstenius who distinctly headed in 1–1 in the 67th minute.
Great post from Anna so I just have to try to find a good position and try to get it in, says Blackstenius.
Gustavsson's national team project is still in its infancy. But the match against France gave a glimpse of something promising. During the last 20 minutes of the match, Sweden came closest to victory – but it was France that stole it.
The home team took a corner kick well into added time, and team captain Griedge Mbock somehow managed – with his head, shoulder or back – to guide it into the goal.
The fight for the Nations League bronze is still wide open ahead of Tuesday's return at 3 Arena in Stockholm.
"We still have a chance to come back. We can be disappointed now, but then we can shift our focus and look forward," says the Arsenal striker.
