Sweden have to be better than this. Nicky Evrard, Belgium’s goalkeeper, had been guarding a fortress, but her eighth save proved a stretch too far as it fell to the feet of Linda Sembrant in the 92nd minute. The cruellest exit, and the least convincing progression from Sweden.
England await in the last four and Peter Gerhardsson promises that his side “are going to have a plan” for the Lionesses.
“I don’t know right now what we’re going to make up,” he said. “But I can assure that we’re going to have a plan – and we need a good plan, we need a very good plan, and maybe we need an extremely, very good plan. It’s a really good team. It’s going to be an interesting challenge.”
Chelsea defender Magda Eriksson is similarly cautious about facing many of her WSL colleagues. “I know all the players they have, they are extremely players,” she added. “So we’re going to have to be really on it.”
More from Football
De Bruyne’s contract, Jesus’ sleep, Bellerin’s impact - inside football’s next frontier23 July, 2022
Haunted by a year of chaos, France are still a huge threat to Netherlands' Golden Generation22 July, 2022
From tracking sleep to ditching sugar, how Jesus plans to hit the ground running at Arsenal22 July, 2022Sarina Wiegman’s side will set out to conquer, not simply frustrate. Sweden will argue they deserved greater reward for their dominance, Kosovare Asllani breaching Belgian lines to set up Stina Blackstenius, whose finish was ruled out for offside by VAR.
Sweden had a total of 33 attempts in the quarter-final; they were not as clinical as in their final group match, which saw them score five goals against Portugal from 18 attempts, but rarely have they faced a side as compact as Belgium. Evrard was ultimately named Player of the Match.
Of the remaining nations, however, Sweden have stayed under the radar in a way that England, Germany, France and Netherlands have not. That does not necessarily lessen the threat they pose England at Bramall Lane.
What will encourage Wiegman is that most of Belgium’s joy came down the right, where Beth Mead will be looking to test Sweden’s left-back, whether it is Amanda Nilden, Jonna Andersson or Eriksson. Belgian duo Elena Dhont and Janice Cayman both had breakthroughs down that side.
The weight of expectation falls on England, though Sweden have not won a European Championship since 1984 and haven’t made the final since 2001, when they were beaten by Germany.
When is the semi-final?
England’s semi-final takes place at Bramall Lane on Tuesday 26 July, kick-off 8pm. The Lionesses have the benefit of an extra two days’ rest.
The second semi-final takes place at stadium:mk the following night, with Germany facing Netherlands or France.
from Football | News and analysis from the Premier League and beyond | iNews https://ift.tt/kf6nB9G
Post a Comment