The halftime lead was only two goals, but an improved defense that provided counter-attack opportunities led to Sweden pulling away at the beginning of the second half.
A strong contributing factor was that goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen both saved more balls and scored three goals in an empty net.
I wasn't super sharp in the first half, couldn't get a hold of the balls. But we believe in our game and get to the counter-attack and get a hold of them from behind, says Bundsen.
National team coach Tomas Axnér praises Bundsen's goal scoring:
She can do what others can't – throw long. She's brutal at it, praises national team coach Tomas Axnér.
Tactical move
Sweden beat Poland twice in the dress rehearsal before the European Championship. Then Poland went to the European Championship and eliminated Spain. So it was a team full of confidence that met Sweden in the first match of the intermediate round.
Sweden went to halftime with a two-goal lead, but not after a convincing performance. Above all, they couldn't stop Poland's 7–6 game, where Poland attacked without a goalkeeper in goal and thus had an extra outfield player.
In the break, Sweden made a tactical substitution in the defense.
I and Emma (Lindqvist) switched places, so I got to stand and mark more with the center back. Now it worked really well, so it was a good move, says Linn Blohm.
The Polish team played very tough and hard, and there were also many expulsions. Ten two-minute expulsions in total, six of them for Poland.
It was a weird match, a rocky match, says Blohm.
"Nice to contribute"
Winger Nathalie Hagman was as usual the top scorer with nine goals. And Jamina Roberts also got her goal scoring going – the team captain scored six.
There was a lot of talk about it, but of course, it's nice to contribute goal-wise. And absolutely nicer to contribute to a win than a loss, says Roberts.
After eleven minutes in the second half, Sweden led by six goals. And with five minutes left, the lead was nine goals. When 60 minutes had been played, Sweden had taken home the win with the final score 33–25.
Tomorrow Friday, Sweden will face Romania. The match starts at 15.30. Sweden must also win this match to have a chance to eventually reach the semifinal.
