The USA are the reigning champions and favorites to win the Junior Women’s World Cup. Initially, it was also the United States that created the most. Among other things, when the Americans got a quadruple chance, but where Maja Helge saved the first three shots before defender Ebba Westerlind reached out and blocked the fourth shot.
– Four chances… Maja Helge really has to prove how skilled she is. Look at this movement pattern in the target, says Maria Rooth.
Ebba Westerlind – who became the overtime hero against Finland in the premiere yesterday – says this to SVT after the first period:
– We come in fairly well. But there will be some periods where we get a little stressed in our own zone, there will be very long shifts and that stresses us out.
About halfway into the second period, Sweden could no longer resist. Christina Scalese got the puck, feinted Helge and made it 1–0.
– I think we are doing well. We try to play simply, says Tilde Sundnäs Grillfors to SVT Sport.
In the third period, Evelyn Doyle pushed in 2–0 in numerical superiority. Sweden chased a reduction and took out the goalkeeper, but instead had to see Kylie Amelkovich put 3-0 into an empty net.
– Sweden is there purely in terms of work and for me this is not a 3-0 match. It could just as well have been 3-2 or something like that. A tight match from start to finish, says Maria Rooth.
Sweden finishes the group stage against Japan on Tuesday, the match is broadcast on SVT1 and SVT Play at 12.25.