What: European Championship, women, group C, final round.
Where: Letzigrundstadion, Zürich, Switzerland.
When: Saturday at 21.00.
TV/radio: Viaplay Sport, Viaplay and P4 Radiosporten.
Conditions: It's a pure group final between Sweden and Germany. Both teams are already advancing. Sweden wins the group with at least a draw and a first place can mean easier opponents in both the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Results so far: Sweden is the only team in the European Championship that has not yet conceded a goal. 1–0 in the premiere against Denmark was followed by a clear 3–0 against Poland. Germany has also had two straight wins, 2–0 against Poland and 2–1 against Denmark.
Opposition: Germany was for a long time a nightmare opponent. But in the World Championship quarterfinals in 2019, the unpleasant trend was broken when Sweden for the first time in over 24 years defeated the Germans in a championship match. Since then, the countries have only met in two friendly matches. Germany won one, 1–0, and the other ended goalless. Overall, however, there is a significant German advantage, with 21 wins in 31 meetings.
Peter's dilemmas: Sweden's national team coach Peter Gerhardsson has in several championships completely changed the starting eleven in the last group stage match – when Sweden has already advanced. But considering what a group win can mean, it probably speaks more for a Swedish eleven as strong as possible.
Injury situation: Attack star Fridolina Rolfö got her first European Championship minutes in Switzerland last time and is approaching a starting position. Center back Magdalena Eriksson is training fully again but has not yet returned to play. In the premiere, she was replaced by Linda Sembrant, last time against Poland by Amanda Ilestedt.
Then Amanda Nildén also started to the left in the backline, but she was substituted out with an injury.
In Germany, the team captain and right back Giulia Gwinn has already left the championship with an injury. Now they have problems even on the left back, where Sarai Linder only did running training two days before the match against Sweden. If Linder cannot play, she will probably be replaced by Franziska Kett.
Sweden, possible starting eleven (4–3–3): Jennifer Falk – Hanna Lundkvist, Nathalie Björn, Linda Sembrant, Jonna Andersson – Filippa Angeldahl, Kosovare Asllani, Julia Zigiotti Olme – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Stina Blackstenius, Madelen Janogy.
Substitutes: Tove Enblom (mv), Emma Holmgren (mv), Magdalena Eriksson, Smilla Holmberg, Amanda Ilestedt, Amanda Nildén, Hanna Bennison, Rebecka Blomqvist, Lina Hurtig, Sofia Jakobsson, Fridolina Rolfö, Ellen Wangerheim.
National team coach: Peter Gerhardsson.
Germany, possible starting eleven (4–2–3–1): Ann-Katrin Berger – Carlotta Wamser, Janina Minge, Rebecca Knaak, Franziska Kett – Elisa Senss, Sjoeke Nüsken – Jule Brand, Linda Dallmann, Klara Bühl – Lea Schüller.
Rest of the squad: Stina Johannes (mv), Ena Mahmutovic (mv), Kathrin-Julia Hendrich, Sydney Lohmann, Laura Freigang, Sara Däbritz, Cora Zicai, Selina Cerci, Sarai Linder, Giovanna Hoffmann, Sophia Kleinherne.
National team coach: Christian Wück.
What: European Championship, women, Poland-Denmark, group C.
When: Saturday, July 12, 21.00.
Where: Swissporarena, Luzern.
TV/radio: TV10 and Radiosporten.
+ Denmark without midfield shadow
When Poland and Denmark face off in the final group stage match, it's nothing more than honor and pride at stake as both nations are already eliminated. Denmark initially seemed to be able to keep the tournament alive when they took the lead against Germany in the first half, but after a lightning-fast turnaround with two goals in just ten minutes in the second half from the Germans, the European Championship dream was extinguished for the red and white. Against Poland, they also have to do without midfielder Emma Snerle, who got a ball in the head last time and needs to rest.
