Sweden enjoy ‘huge’ Euro 2022 semi-final against hosts England
Sweden defender Linda Sembrant enjoyed hosting England in the Euro Women’s semi-final after her late winner against Belgium on Friday kept alive her country’s dream of winning its first major title since Euro 1984.
The Swedes, currently second in the world, have come agonizingly close in the past, winning two Olympic silvers and finishing as runners-up at the 2003 World Cup, and they now face England for a place in the final.
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“It’s going to be really, really big [against] England, with a large audience and with our Swedish fans who have been absolutely fantastic. It’s going to be very cool,” said an excited Sembrant.
“It was absolutely insane, an indescribable feeling to see the ball go into the goal,” she added.
It was against Sweden from the attack, with first-choice defenders Hannah Glas and Jonna Andersson, who missed a penalty in last year’s Olympic final loss to Canada, forced out of the game after positive covid-19 tests.
Sweden also had a Stina Blackstenius goal disallowed by VAR for offside and they struggled to make the breakthrough until Sembrant’s late winner.
– There is an enormous strength in our individuals that makes us a strong group, says coach Peter Gerhardsson to SVT.
“England have done very well, [even if] they had some problems with Austria … it will be a huge, amazing experience to play the semi-final against England in England – wow!” he added.
The Swedes take on England in Sheffield on Tuesday, and after creating 34 shots on target but scoring just once, midfielder Nathalie Bjorn has an idea of what they can do in training in the coming days.
“I missed about 10 shots, so I have to practice finishing this week,” the 25-year-old said.