Results and latest updates from the Euro 2022 quarter-finals
Ttonight we head north to where Sweden face Belgium as they battle for one of the remaining precious semi-final spots. Despite being tipped as favorites to win, Sweden have not lifted a European title since 1984. Peter Gerhardsson’s side are the highest-ranked team in the championship and are hoping to continue their 15-match unbeaten run, with their most recent defeat coming in the Olympic final in Tokyo last year by Canada on penalties.
Ives Serneel’s Belgian side have succeeded in their goal of reaching the quarter-finals even with their slow start to the group stage. The team won a point in a close match-up against Iceland before suffering a close defeat against France. Their 1-0 win against Italy has been the highlight of the campaign, giving them a one-point advantage to progress to the knockout stages.
Sweden topped Group C on goal difference, giving them the edge over second-placed Netherlands. Their squad is brimming with experience and quality, Hedvig Lindhal is the tournament’s most senior player at 39, but her age is nothing to her goalkeeping ability. Captain Caroline Seger is Europe’s most capped footballer of all time and could return to the pitch tonight after missing Sweden’s 5-0 rout of Portugal with a heel injury. She resumed training on Wednesday and Peter Gerhardsson will be keen to play his most experienced player if she is deemed fit enough.
The teams have met four times before their quarter-final clash tonight, with all statistics going in Sweden’s favor as their record is sparkling clean against Ives Serneel’s side. Relatively new to the tournament scene, Belgium are keen to make their mark on the big stage and will need to pull out all the stops tonight if they are to prevent Sweden from claiming their semi-final spot.
Team news coming…..