Sweden's defense has struggled during the spring, as team after team has come back and counterattacked. Now we face opponents such as Greece, Romania, or Kazakhstan in the playoffs. "We have a job to do," says the national team captain Tony Gustavsson.
SportsFridolina Rolfö is not in the starting lineup of Tony Gustavsson's national team. Against Italy, she showed that maybe she should be. It's not the most fun situation, she said after helping Sweden avoid defeat.
SportsThe Swedish women's national team has never missed the World Cup. But it has been a long time since the team looked this shaky. A 2-2 draw at Gamla Ullevi ended a failed qualifying campaign, and now an uncertain playoff awaits this fall.
SportsAmanda Nildén gets a chance in Sweden's final World Cup qualifying match against Italy. Meanwhile, Monica Jusu Bah is back in the starting lineup.
FootballSweden has only won two matches since last year's European Championship. But the World Cup dream lives on despite missing out on a direct spot, according to captain Stina Blackstenius. "I still believe in this national team very much," she says.
SportsSweden's group victory is already gone ahead of the match against Italy. This means that the conclusion of the World Cup qualifiers is mostly about getting a good start ahead of the playoff game this fall.
FootballOnly two wins in nine international matches. Tony Gustavsson's record as Sweden's head coach is not impressive. "I understand the criticism," says the 52-year-old after a 1-2 defeat to Denmark.
SportsSweden are forced into a playoff for a place at the World Cup in Brazil next year. After losing 1-2 in the must-win match against Denmark, Sweden's chance of direct qualification is gone. "It's frustrating, a disappointment," Johanna Rytting Kaneryd told SVT.
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