Sweden snatched qualification for the semi-finals of the Women’s Euro football thanks to a goal scored in added time against Belgium (1-0), this Friday in Leigh, near Manchester.
Dominating, the Swedes have long come up against the Belgian defense and its excellent goalkeeper Nicky Evrard (who made no less than seven saves). The Scandinavians also lacked realism by shooting 34 times on goal for only eight balls on target.
Qualified for the first time in their history, and for their second participation in the Euro only, for the quarters, the Belgians painfully continued their learning of the very high level with this defeat in extremis. Those who had been beaten by the French in pool (2-1), however, never really worried their opponents in the evening (3 shots, no target).
Action confuse
The Swedes, finalists of the 2003 World Cup, finally managed to find the opening by Linda Sembrant (90 + 2) after a confused action in the opposing area. On a badly cleared corner, the ball returned to the central defender who catapulted it into the back of the net.
The epilogue may well be the one expected in this most unbalanced quarter-final of all, between the Swedes, world No.2 in the FIFA rankings, behind the United States, and the 19th in the world, the scenario is cruel for the “Flames Rouges” who, with their means, but with panache, were able to dream of a feat for more than 90 minutes.
Prostrated at the final whistle, a few seconds later, the Belgians left with their heads held high after coming out second in the group won by France in the face of the Icelanders and the Italians.
In half, the blue and yellow will be opposed to England, who beat Spain (2-1) in quarter, next Tuesday in Sheffield. If they showed during the tournament that they were capable of developing a good game, their lack of realism could cost them at home against the English.
At home, the Lionesses will certainly not want to miss the opportunity to afford a final at Wembley on July 31, and even a first major title in the country since the 1966 World Cup won by men.
The last quarter-final will oppose the French women on Saturday to the Dutch defending champions for a place in the semi-finals. The winners will face the Germans, who fell on the Austrians on Thursday evening (2-0).
