At the home tournament, the “Lionesses” finally want to win their first major title. Based on their performance so far, they can be expected to do so. In four sold-out games with a total of around 157,500 spectators, the English have impressed so far with 14-0 goals in the group stage and a 2-1 after extra time against Spain in the quarter-finals. “It’s a huge opportunity,” said defender Lucy Bronze.
The standout so far has been Beth Mead, who tops the scorer list with five goals, including that in the opening 1-0 win against Austria. But the 27-year-old remains cautious. “Sweden is an athletic team with a lot of good players. They may not have been at their best yet, but every time we play them they play well,” she explained.
Englishwomen highly motivated
The English women are hungry for success at the European Championships and want to take the next step towards their first major title against Sweden.
Sweden has only lost once against England
The statistics also show this. Sweden have only lost once in seven matches against England, and that was 38 years ago. Most recently, the Scandinavians were able to celebrate bronze at the 2019 World Cup and silver at the 2021 Olympics. You go into the game with confidence. “Our players have enormous strengths, which makes us a strong group,” emphasized team boss Peter Gerhardsson, who radiated a lot of anticipation. “It will be a fantastic experience to play against England in the semi-finals in England. Wow,” Gerhardsson said.
The Austrian assistant referee Sara Telek can also experience this. The 33-year-old supports referee Esther Staubli from Switzerland on the sidelines on Tuesday.
Gerhardsson has personnel worries in advance. There were several positive coronavirus tests in the team, so flankers Hannah Glas and Jonna Andersson missed the quarter-finals against Belgium (1-0). Kosovare Asllani skipped practice on Sunday. With the European Championship title in 1984, Olympic silver in 2016 and 2021, World Cup silver in 2003 and several bronze medals, Sweden is one of the most successful teams.
England are hoping for their first final since 2009
England have only lost two European Championship finals (1984 against Sweden on penalties and 2009 with 2-6 against Germany). In the last two World Cups (2015, 2019) it was in the semifinals. Chelsea striker Kirby hopes to make it to the final on Tuesday. “If we manage to win the semi-finals and get to the final, it will be incredible for people that they have something to celebrate and enjoy.”
