Victory against England required after defeat: "We're strong"

A direct spot to the European Championship 2025 is still within reach for Sweden. But after 1–2 against France in Dijon, the prerequisites are crystal clear. Victory against England on Tuesday is a must to secure a European Championship ticket.

» Updated: August 26 2024

» Published: July 12 2024

Victory against England required after defeat: "We're strong"
Photo: Magnus Lejhall/TT

Share this article

A direct spot for the European Championship 2025 is still within reach for Sweden. But after 1–2 against France in Dijon, the prerequisites are crystal clear.

Victory against England on Tuesday is a must to secure a European Championship ticket.

Since England simultaneously defeated Ireland with 2–1, anything less than three Swedish points at Gamla Ullevi will not be enough to take the second direct spot to the European Championship behind France.

The fact that Tuesday's match, the last in the qualifying round, will be decisive was already known to Sweden before the meeting with France – and it showed.

National team captain Peter Gerhardsson acknowledged even before that he had many different things to consider, not least the threat of suspension hanging over six of his players ahead of the crucial qualifying finale against England on Tuesday.

There was a lot to think about. That's why we chose not to play four warned players. So now they will be available (against England), says Gerhardsson.

Asllani on the bench

Of the warned players, only Linda Sembrant and Jonna Andersson got a spot in the starting eleven, while among others Kosovare Asllani and Magdalena Eriksson were completely rested.

In came also young Milan striker Evelyn Ijeh, who thus got to make her debut during her first A-national team gathering.

The unexpected Swedish starting eleven had little to set against the star-studded French team in the first half. When the home team took the lead, it was not at all illogical – even if the goal scorer was unexpected.

On 74 national team appearances, Sakina Karchaoui had scored one goal, and that on a penalty.

Her second full hit in the French jersey sparked. The ball rolled back towards the 28-year-old after a corner and the left-back from Paris Saint-Germain did what no unaccustomed goal scorers usually do and slammed in 1–0 in Zecira Musovic's far post from about 25 meters out.

"Sour"

Sweden had a hard time getting any order on the game, didn't get to any really sharp scoring chances at all, and when France took the lead, the prognosis looked bleak.

Yet the 1–1 goal came at the beginning of the second half.

Jonna Andersson hit a corner that touched a French skull before the ball landed at Josefine Rybrink's feet. In her first competitive national team start, the Häcken defender scored her first national team goal.

Very cool. Really fun to score your first goal. At the same time, it's also sour that it doesn't mean that much in this match anyway, not getting any points, says Rybrink.

The match opened up, spaces were not lacking in any way, and the question was which of the teams would utilize the opportunities best when they finally emerged.

The answer was France.

Strong at home

Marie-Antoinette Katoto, also from PSG, held herself forward on a new French corner, poking in 2–1. It was her 30th goal on 40 national team appearances and gave the French women a spot in next year's European Championship in Switzerland.

Sweden must recharge ahead of Tuesday's decisive match at a packed Gamla Ullevi.

We know that we are strong at home on Ullevi. We made a very good performance against England away last time (1–1 in April). We'll take the feeling from that match with us, says Josefine Rybrink.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Lagergren Leads European Tour After Impressive 62-Stroke Round
1 MIN READ

Lagergren Leads European Tour After Impressive 62-Stroke Round

Kulusevski Aims for Return in 2-3 Months After Knee Surgery
1 MIN READ

Kulusevski Aims for Return in 2-3 Months After Knee Surgery

Alexander Isak Benched for World Championship Qualifier Against Slovenia
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Benched for World Championship Qualifier Against Slovenia

Lotta Schelin Joins Fifa Group to Combat Racism in Football
1 MIN READ

Lotta Schelin Joins Fifa Group to Combat Racism in Football

World Championship Dream Drives Footballers Elanga and Ayari
2 MIN READ

World Championship Dream Drives Footballers Elanga and Ayari

Spanish Minister Supports Potential Ban of Israel Premier Tech from Tour of Spain
2 MIN READ

Spanish Minister Supports Potential Ban of Israel Premier Tech from Tour of Spain

Elanga Comments on Isak's Liverpool Move: "It's His Choice"
2 MIN READ

Elanga Comments on Isak's Liverpool Move: "It's His Choice"

Malmö FF Nears Unexpected SM Gold in Women's Top Division
3 MIN READ

Malmö FF Nears Unexpected SM Gold in Women's Top Division

Amo HK Urges Uppvidinge for Arena Renovation to Stay in Elite League
1 MIN READ

Amo HK Urges Uppvidinge for Arena Renovation to Stay in Elite League

Skellefteå Faces Goalkeeper Crisis as Linus Söderström Out Until Year-End
2 MIN READ

Skellefteå Faces Goalkeeper Crisis as Linus Söderström Out Until Year-End

Man Sentenced to Prison for Pushing Person onto Stockholm Subway Track
1 MIN READ

Man Sentenced to Prison for Pushing Person onto Stockholm Subway Track

World Championship Qualification Guide: Sweden vs Slovenia Preview
3 MIN READ

World Championship Qualification Guide: Sweden vs Slovenia Preview

London City Lionesses Set New Transfer Record with Grace Geyoro Signing
1 MIN READ

London City Lionesses Set New Transfer Record with Grace Geyoro Signing

Sweden's Strategy for European Basketball Championship: "Will Shock Them"
2 MIN READ

Sweden's Strategy for European Basketball Championship: "Will Shock Them"

Swedes May Miss Sweden vs Slovenia World Championship Qualifier on TV
1 MIN READ

Swedes May Miss Sweden vs Slovenia World Championship Qualifier on TV

Hanna Öberg Misses Training Camp Due to Illness Ahead of Olympic Season
1 MIN READ

Hanna Öberg Misses Training Camp Due to Illness Ahead of Olympic Season

Swedish Golf Star Alexander Björk Announces Retirement
2 MIN READ

Swedish Golf Star Alexander Björk Announces Retirement

Trump Returns to US Open Final After 10-Year Absence
2 MIN READ

Trump Returns to US Open Final After 10-Year Absence

Caitlin Clark Receives Support from Lebron James After Season-Ending Injury
1 MIN READ

Caitlin Clark Receives Support from Lebron James After Season-Ending Injury

Jonas Jerebko Calls European Championship Rejection Disrespectful
3 MIN READ

Jonas Jerebko Calls European Championship Rejection Disrespectful