The Threat to Sweden: Stars Risk Being Suspended

A completely decisive match against England – then six Swedish stars risk being suspended. In the European Championship qualifier, just two warnings lead to the player missing the next match. We don't have the luxury of resting any players, if we do, we'll get a big beating, says goalkeeper Zecira Musovic ahead of the meeting with France.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: July 09 2024

The Threat to Sweden: Stars Risk Being Suspended
Photo: Adam Ihse/TT

A completely crucial match against England – then six Swedish stars risk being suspended.

In the European Championship qualifiers, just two warnings lead to a player missing the next match.

We can't afford to rest any players, if we do, we'll get a big setback, says goalkeeper Zecira Musovic ahead of the meeting with France.

When Sweden meets France away in Dijon on Friday in the second-to-last qualifying match for the European Championship in Switzerland 2025, six blue-yellow players stand on a warning in the group stage.

If one of these players receives another yellow card, they will face suspension against England at Gamla Ullevi on Tuesday next week. Due to the table situation and the fact that head-to-head matches decide in case of equal points, the England match in Gothenburg will be completely crucial for Sweden in the fight for a direct spot in the European Championship.

I thought I had experienced everything, but new things keep popping up, says national team coach Peter Gerhardsson about the strange fact that just two warnings lead to suspension.

"Nothing positive"

Gerhardsson admits that the situation gives headaches ahead of the team selection for the France match.

I can say that I'm thinking. I'll put it off a bit and then we'll see. It's not something that affects the first training sessions, but then I'll have to make a decision on how we'll do it. It's not something positive. Players also need to play to be in shape for England.

The offensive players Kosovare Asllani and Rosa Kafaji are two of the players who have a yellow card from before.

More worrying is that the other four warned players are the regular backline in the European Championship qualifiers – Jonna Andersson, Magdalena Eriksson, Linda Sembrant, and Hanna Lundkvist. The three first-named have started all four matches – Lundkvist has started three matches and came on away against Ireland when Nathalie Björn got injured.

As a player, you just have to keep playing, that part you shouldn't compromise on. Play your own game, but avoid stupid warnings and unnecessary yellow cards, says goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.

Risking a big setback

If there is competition for a starting spot on a position, this can play a role in the selection of the starting eleven against France, says Gerhardsson.

If there's a player who looks very fresh and who could do at least as good a job, it might be that we choose a player who doesn't have a warning. But I don't know. I sleep and then I wake up in the morning and get closer to a decision.

Zecira Musovic:

I don't know what I would have done as a coach. We want to win against France and have to put up the best team. We can't afford to rest any players, if we do, we'll get a big setback. I would have put up the best possible team.

The top two teams go directly to the European Championship in Switzerland 2025. The third and fourth teams are forced to play playoffs in the fall. To reach the European Championship via playoffs, two double wins are required.

The standings in Sweden's group after four out of six rounds:

  1. France, 9 points (+2 in goal difference), 2) Sweden, 7 points (+3), 3) England, 7 points (+2), 4) Ireland, 0 points (–7).

Remaining matches:

July 12: France–Sweden (9:20 pm, Dijon), England–Ireland (9:00 pm).

July 16: Sweden–England (7:00 pm, Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg), Ireland–France (7:00 pm).

If two or more teams end up with the same number of points, head-to-head matches decide. Sweden played 1–1 away against England and lost 0–1 at home against France.

If the number of points in head-to-head matches cannot separate the teams, the following criteria are used in order: a) goal difference, b) most goals scored in head-to-head matches, c) goal difference in the entire group stage, d) most goals scored in the group stage, e) most away goals scored in the group stage, f) most wins in the group stage, g) most away wins in the group stage, h) lowest number of disciplinary points (warnings/red cards), i) ranking on Uefa's Nations League ranking.

Source: Uefa

If a player receives a total of two warnings in the European Championship qualifiers, they will be suspended for the next match. The following players in the top three teams France, Sweden, and England in group A3 stand on a warning ahead of the second-to-last round:

Sweden: Magdalena Eriksson, Linda Sembrant, Hanna Lundkvist, Jonna Andersson, Kosovare Asllani, and Rosa Kafaji.

England: Jessica Carter, Ella Toone, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, and Chloe Kelly.

France: Amandine Henry, Maëlle Lakrar, and Kenza Dali. Selma Bacha stands on two warnings and is suspended against Sweden on Friday.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges
1 MIN READ

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges for Nazi Salutes During Match

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars
2 MIN READ

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars from Online Hate with Zero Tolerance

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery Following Polish Speedway Crash

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts
2 MIN READ

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts as Billionaire Withdraws Sponsorship

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost
2 MIN READ

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost Arsenal Ahead of Fulham Clash

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle
3 MIN READ

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle Larsson for European Basketball Championship

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse
3 MIN READ

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse Allegations in Court

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings
1 MIN READ

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings Set New Home Win Record

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal
1 MIN READ

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal Record with Latest Score

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back
1 MIN READ

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back with Two Wins at World Championship

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic
1 MIN READ

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic to Claim Miami ATP Title

Min Woo Lee Claims First
1 MIN READ

Min Woo Lee Claims First PGA Tour Victory as Svensson Stumbles

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized
1 MIN READ

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized After Serious Crash

Haaland Injured in City's FA
1 MIN READ

Haaland Injured in City's FA Cup Win Over Bournemouth

Omar Faraj Scores Five as
2 MIN READ

Omar Faraj Scores Five as Degerfors Triumphs Over Halmstad

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National
1 MIN READ

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National Team for Nations League

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby
2 MIN READ

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby Dominates IFK Göteborg 4-0

Sweden Triumphs Over Finland to
2 MIN READ

Sweden Triumphs Over Finland to Secure World Championship Gold

Brynäs Advances to Semifinals but
2 MIN READ

Brynäs Advances to Semifinals but Goalkeeper Injury Raises Concerns

Hammarby Dominates Göteborg 4-0 in
2 MIN READ

Hammarby Dominates Göteborg 4-0 in Allsvenskan Opener

Vesna Milivojevic Stuns Malmö FF
1 MIN READ

Vesna Milivojevic Stuns Malmö FF with Two Goals in Home Opener

Elfsborg Eyes Revenge Against Malmö
2 MIN READ

Elfsborg Eyes Revenge Against Malmö FF After Dramatic Comeback

Sweden Claims Sixth Straight Bandy
2 MIN READ

Sweden Claims Sixth Straight Bandy World Championship Gold

Police Mobilize for Hammarby March
1 MIN READ

Police Mobilize for Hammarby March in Stockholm

Spaniard López-Chacarra Triumphs in India
1 MIN READ

Spaniard López-Chacarra Triumphs in India as Dantorp Falls Short

Ebba Andersson Triumphs with Double
2 MIN READ

Ebba Andersson Triumphs with Double Wins in Ski Classics Finale

Swede Max Novak's Ski Pole
1 MIN READ

Swede Max Novak's Ski Pole Breaks, Ending Race Hopes in Norway

Sweden's Curling Champs Stumble in
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Curling Champs Stumble in World Championship Opener

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson Shines with 14 Points in Miami Win

Lucas Raymond Sets New Career
1 MIN READ

Lucas Raymond Sets New Career High in Detroit's Win Over Boston

Andreas Nordebäck Achieves Season's Best
1 MIN READ

Andreas Nordebäck Achieves Season's Best with 17th Place Finish in Boston

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Pegula
1 MIN READ

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Pegula to Win Miami WTA Title

Jesper Svensson Shines in Tight
1 MIN READ

Jesper Svensson Shines in Tight PGA Tour Battle in Houston

AIK Keeps SHL Hopes Alive,
2 MIN READ

AIK Keeps SHL Hopes Alive, Set to Face Karlskoga in Semifinals

Viktor Gyökeres Shines with Two
1 MIN READ

Viktor Gyökeres Shines with Two Goals in Sporting Lisbon Victory

Layouni Leads Häcken to Victory
2 MIN READ

Layouni Leads Häcken to Victory with Double Strike in Allsvenskan Opener

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Newcastle Celebrates League Cup Victory with Heroic Isak

Swedish Olympic Champs Hellvig and
1 MIN READ

Swedish Olympic Champs Hellvig and Åhman Fall in World Quarterfinals

Djurgården's Stensson and Malmö's Jansson
2 MIN READ

Djurgården's Stensson and Malmö's Jansson Clash Over Injury Claims

Johan Lövgren Triumphs in Grueling
1 MIN READ

Johan Lövgren Triumphs in Grueling 22-Mile Nordenskiöldsloppet Ski Race