Now the playoffs begin.
So also the possibilities for Sweden’s matches to go to penalties.
Then Hedvig Lindahl wants to step forward and lay down.
– Maybe it’s better that I fail than some young girl, says the goalkeeper star to DN.
Sweden has made it to the European Championship finals according to plan, but it was not immediately convincing during the two opening games of the group stage. But after a clear 5-0 in the third and last match in the group, Sweden was the group winner, and now Belgium awaits.
Want to beat penalty
On paper, it is a dream opponent for Sweden – Belgium have never been in the quarter-finals of the European Championship before – but in a play-off anything can happen. Last year, Sweden was the game manager in the Olympic final against Canada, but then it was a penalty shootout. This despite the fact that Sweden has one of the world’s best penalty goalkeepers in Hedvig Lindahl.
Among other things, Lindahl showed it during the winter’s Algarve Cup, when she became a big hero in the final partly by saving the decisive penalty, but partly because she scored herself just before. Lindahl actually started her career as a forward many years ago, but she wants to bet if Sweden ends up in a similar situation in this year’s playoffs.
– Should it become necessary, it is clear that I would take it for the team. Not because I think he wants me as the first penalty taker, but if it’s the case that people get scared and absolutely don’t want to, I can do it, she tells DN.
“Better that I fail than…”
Lindahl also believes that there is another value in imposing penalties – namely to protect younger and more inexperienced players.
– There are a bunch of outfield players who can certainly do it much better than I can, but if it feels emotionally difficult for someone, I’ve been around for a while. Maybe it’s better that I fail than some young girl, she says.
However, Lindahl has not spoken to national team captain Peter Gerhardsson about the whole thing, and hopefully Sweden will not end up in a penalty shootout. But Lindahl hopes the coach knows she’s ready.
– It will remain, I think, like when you write in the school hall: “Let it stand.” But maybe I have to remind him, says Lindahl.
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