Six stars in the Netherlands and Sweden to watch at the European Championships, including WSL aces Miedema and Eriksson
SWEDEN starts its quest to reach a European Championship final for the first time since the tournament started in 1984.
They meet a Dutch side that offers to win the competition for the second time in a row after their triumph in 2017.
The Bramall Lane clash, which will be broadcast live on BBC One at 20.00, is the second of two Group C premieres with Portugal drawing 2-2 against Switzerland.
Sweden – defeated finalists at the Olympics in Rio and Tokyo in 2016 and in August last year – will hope to win their first major tournament in 38 years.
But they will face a Dutch team with a number of attacking talents.
Here is a look at six stars who are likely to play a big role for the team in this year’s European Championships.
Nether countries
Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal) – FForward
The Arsenal hotshot, 25, is currently her national team’s record goal scorer.
The forward made history in June 2019 when she became her nation’s best goal scorer of all time with 60 goals after making a good match against Cameroon.
And Miedema helped his national team win his first major trophy ever five years ago.
She was on the goal record when her team, then coached by Sarina Wiegman, sent Denmark 4-2 to win the European Championships 2017.
In March, the Gunners star made history again when she became the first player to make 100 WSL goal contributions.
Lieke Martens (Paris Saint-Germain) – Winger
Martens finished the European Championships 2017 as the competition’s third best goal scorer behind compatriot Miedema and Golden Boot winner Jodie Taylor.
Then the forward, 29, won a Player of the Tournament gong for his impressive performances in the attack.
The former Barcelona star has been praised for his style and tricks on the edge.
She was among the aces that impressed during the club’s 4-0 Champions League final loss to Chelsea last year.
Since his international debut in 2011, Martens has scored 55 goals in 136 games.
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Jackie Groenen (Manchester United) – Midfielder
The Manchester United fan favorite, 27, was her national team player in the match when they beat Sweden in the 2019 World Cup semi-final.
Her goal in the 99th minute secured the Netherlands’ place in the final against the United States.
Her defensive and attacking versatility in a holding role proved to be effective during the club’s quest for a top-three placement in the 2020-21 season
At that time, United barely fought for third place with just one point.
For her national side, Groenen has scored nine goals and had 87 goals since she made her senior debut.
Sweden
Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal) – Striker
Blackstenius, 26, got off to a positive start in his Arsenal career after joining the club in January from Swedish BK Hacken.
Before her Gunners change, the striker was one of Europe’s most coveted forwards, and attracted interest from sides including Manchester United.
Blackstenius has developed a productive partnership with club mates Miedema and Beth Mead who have scored six goals in 11 WSL matches.
Last summer, she helped Sweden to a silver medal at the Olympics in Tokyo.
The forward scored five goals for the team that fought for gold before losing to Canada on penalties
The goals were, among other things, a match against the USA in the tournament’s group game.
Magda Eriksson (Chelsea) – Centre-back
Chelsea skipper Eriksson, 28, who joined the Blues in 2017, is considered one of the best defenders in the world.
At club level, the Swedish national team player had a pass rate of 83% for Emma Hayes’ team last season.
Since joining Chelsea, Eriksson has won nine major trophies with the club.
Eriksson was in Fifa’s World XI last year and has made 84 appearances for its nation, currently ranked as the second best in the world.
She also helped Sweden to a bronze medal in the Women’s World Cup 2019 in France when they beat England 2-1.
Her international awards include two silver medals at the Rio and Tokyo 2016 and 2021 Olympic Games.
Kosovare Asllani (AC Milan) – Midfielder
Asllani, 32, scored 19 goals in 46 games during a two-year Real Madrid after from 2020 to this year.
At the Olympics in Tokyo, the Swedish star, who sealed an AC Milan change this summer, formed a formidable midfield collaboration with skipper Caroline Seger and Filippa Angeldal.
Asllani made the winner in Sweden’s latest victory against the Netherlands, a 2-1 friendly win in Canada ahead of the 2015 World Cup.
The midfielder has scored 43 goals in 161 internationals.
She is also Sweden’s third most player after Seger and goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.