Sweden's weapon ahead of the decisive match: "It's an advantage"

It will be a thrilling conclusion to the EM qualification in football. And there, Sweden has an ace up its sleeve that its rivals France and England lack: Swedish women's football players. I've actually thought about that, that it's an advantage we have, says defender Magdalena Eriksson.

» Updated: Tue 16 Jul 2024 14:59 CEST

» Published: Wed 5 Jun 2024 11:27 CEST

It will be a thrilling conclusion to the European Championship qualifying tournament in football.

And there's one thing that Sweden has that its rivals France and England lack: women's football players from the Swedish league.

Sweden is competing with France and England for the two direct spots in the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland. On July 12, France is waiting on the away leg in Dijon, and four days later, the qualifying tournament against England concludes at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg.

Several players have expressed criticism that the matches are being played during the summer break when European leagues are on hiatus. And that's where the Swedish women's league comes into the picture.

National coach Peter Gerhardsson believes that Sweden may have an advantage in having a group of women's league players, whose season runs during the summer, when the qualifying tournament is decided.

Provided that both France and England beat Ireland, Sweden must win at least one of the matches to become first or second in the group.

But with match-trained players from clubs like Häcken and Hammarby, Sweden may have an edge, even the Swedish foreign professionals believe.

Even in the United States, the league season is ongoing, where Swedish players like Elin Rubensson, Sofia Jakobsson, Hanna Glas, and Hanna Lundkvist are based.

The national team has also scheduled an extra training camp the week before the final European Championship qualifying tournament. There, those who want to and are allowed to take time off from their clubs can shake off the rust after their summer break.

Players like Jonna Andersson will already be warmed up.

The top two teams go directly to the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland. The third and fourth teams will have to play a playoff in the fall.

The group standings in Sweden after four of six matches: