Sweden Women vs Belgium Women: Women’s EC 2022 quarter final with winners facing England in semi | Football news
Belgian coach Ives Serneels has suggested that Sweden’s counterpart Peter Gerhardsson may be nervous ahead of the team’s quarterfinals in the European Championship 2022 on Friday.
Gerhardsson has reportedly been reluctant to talk too much about his side ahead of the clash in Leigh Sports Village to prevent Belgium from gaining an advantage.
Serneels claims that this would not matter because he has already done his own research on the team’s last eight opponents.
“For me, that’s not the point,” Serneels told reporters at a news conference. “It’s his idea to say what he wants, but I know what we’re going to do tomorrow and that’s the most important thing.
“I do not know the information, I am not afraid that information will go to the other side.
“It’s football. It’s a quarter final in the European Championships. Maybe it shows a little nervousness from the other side. For me I see no problems.”
The winners will face tournament hosts England in the semi-finals next Tuesday.
Serneels acknowledges that his team will have their work suspended against the team that ranks second in the world.
He said: “We will try to be ready from the first minute. Sweden has very good physical aspects in their game, so we will try to have a good plan.
“They played a good first round and every girl on that team has strong individual qualities.”
Sweden topped Group C after following up a draw against the Netherlands and a close 5-0 victory over Switzerland against Portugal. Belgium finished second to France in Group D with four points.
Sweden – the highest ranked team at the European Championships 2022 – has, however, suffered from Covid absence before its quarter-final. Hannah Glas and Emma Kullberg will miss the match on Friday, while Jonna Andersson, Hanna Bennison and Jennifer Falk have also missed passes after testing positive.
Gerhardsson insists that he does not take anything for granted against a Belgian team that has impressed him.
He said: “You can talk about a national team, you can talk about a league (club) team. The more days you have together, the more you become like a league team.
“Belgium, of the four teams we have met so far, I think they are the most similar to a league team. They are best organized both defensively and offensively. They look like a league team with quality players.”
Follow Euro 2022 on Sky Sports
Sky Sports News and Sky Sports’ digital platforms will follow every step of England’s journey to the European Championships 2022 ahead of Tuesday’s semi-final.
Along the way, the Sky Sports News Mobile Presentation bus will continue to bring you all the best guests and analysis from the likes of Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett who offer their expert insights. The bus will be based in the heart of Sheffield ahead of England’s last four matches, before heading to Wembley for the final.
On SkySports.com, the Sky Sports app and on social media, we will have all the big moments covered with our previews, features, reports, analyzes, plus Sky Sports Women’s Euros podcast with Sky Sports senior football journalist Charlotte Marsh and Sky Sports News reporter Anton Toloui.
And if you’re new to England’s squad, don’t worry – here’s our guide to meeting the Lions.
In addition to England, Sky Sports News and Sky Sports digital will also cover all knockout matches as we head to the showpiece final on July 31.
The knockout phase …
Quarterfinals
Wednesday, July 20
Quarter final 1: England 2-1 Spain (AET)
Thursday 21 July
Quarterfinals 2: Germany 2-0 Austria
Friday, July 22nd
Quarterfinals 3: Sweden vs Belgium – kick-off 20.00, Leigh Sports Village
Saturday, July 23
Quarterfinals 4: France vs Netherlands – kick-off 20.00, New York Stadium
Semifinals
Tuesday, July 26
Semifinal 1: England vs Sweden or Belgium – kick-off 20:00, Bramall Lane
Wednesday, July 27
Semifinal 2: Germany vs France or the Netherlands – kick-off 20:00, Stadium MK
Final
Sunday, July 31
Winner semi-final 1 vs winner semi-final 2 – kick-off 17:00, Wembley