The 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.
SportsSweden 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 faces a new concern over its backline ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. Lyon's Elma Junttilla Nelhage is injured, Dagens Nyheter reports.
FootballBarcelona have reached their sixth consecutive Women's Champions League final. A 4-2 home win in the second leg of the semi-final against Bayern Munich was enough to secure a place in the final after the first leg ended 1-1.
FootballMagdalena Eriksson appears to be already preparing for life after her playing career. The Bayern Munich defender loves her new role as a scout for the club's men's team. "I think scouting will be huge in women's football too," says Eriksson.
FootballTogether they made Sweden the world's best football nation. On Saturday, five national team veterans were bid farewell at the national stadium. "It's hard to put into words how I feel right now," says Magdalena Eriksson, the central defender who said goodbye last fall.
FootballAn injured defender and a World Cup-ready national team captain: the Swedish women's football team received a pep talk ahead of the qualifying match against Serbia.
FootballSweden has only won one match so far under Tony Gustavsson. Sweden will probably now need three straight wins to qualify directly for the World Cup. "We're in a tough, tough situation," says the national team captain.
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