Sweden dominated large parts of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier away to Finland. But the result, 5–0, hides the fact that the home team still had some chances going forward.
However, Jennifer Falk stood in the Swedish goal and took care of what the Finns created going forward.
— I can’t think of anything that was wrong with her actions, she was very confident and I think the back line players also felt confident. She was good on her feet as well, I think she made a good effort, says confederation captain Peter Gerhardsson.
Falk is also pleased to have taken the chance when it was given.
In the EC, Hedvig Lindahl was the first goalkeeper, just like in recent years, but after the championship, the 39-year-old announced that she is currently taking a break from the national team.
“Extra Spice”
First international match without Lindahl, Gerhardsson’s choice fell on Falk instead.
— It means a lot, of course, the most important thing is to win, but it’s always an extra spice to keep a clean sheet, so it was a lot of fun. Nice to be able to make some rescues and be involved, says Jennifer Falk.
— I don’t want to give a grade, but I am satisfied with my effort. It went well, I played the way I want to play and that’s important to me. I am offensive, I dare to come out and play outside the penalty area, I am calm with my feet and involved.
It is therefore Falk’s advantage in the fight for the goalkeeper spot, where she is most closely matched with Chelsea’s Zecira Musovic and Lyon’s Emma Holmgren. Nevertheless, it is not certain that the Häcken goalkeeper will guard the goal in the next international match, away to Spain on October 7.
The partner Pernilla is pregnant.
— Yes, for me it’s a bit special because I’m having a baby in October. So we’ll see how it turns out, but it’s a discussion I’ll have with my girlfriend and with Peter. We will see how it goes.
Understanding confederation captain
She hasn’t made any decisions, but it’s nothing to stress about either.
– That’s life. No problem. I will do what feels right for me and “Pillan”, and Peter is very understanding.
The national team captain emphasizes that in his national team it must be okay to sometimes prioritize private life over sports.
— You can be away because of a thigh bone, but also because you have something social that is bothering you. They are footballers, but they are also people we work with. You have an important life around football as well, says Gerhardsson.
— Sometimes different things may mean that you are not motivated 100 percent, and if you then have that honesty and can say that, it shouldn’t take anything away from another gathering.