After a tough clash against England last week, the Swedish women’s national team faces new tough opposition on Tuesday evening.
That in the form of France on a rainy Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg.
– It doesn’t seem to affect either Sweden or France, says Football Channel’s Olof Lundh on location in Gothenburg.
The French national football team comes with an odd-goal win in the bag after beating Ireland 1-0. During Friday’s match, Fridolina Rolfö managed to secure a draw against world number two England with a late equalizer in Friday’s European Championship qualifier at Wembley.
The group has been called the “group of death”. Only first and second are guaranteed a place in the championship in Switzerland next summer. But third and fourth also have a chance.
– The teams have been stratified so that the best teams can face each other. It is praised by Peter Gerhardsson and the Swedish players, who believe that you get tougher matches, compared to when you win against Georgia with 10-0, says Fotbollskanalen’s Olof Lundh.
High pressure is expected
The match starts at 19:00 at old Ullevi. And in Gothenburg, rain is expected – and large crowds.
– This is the women’s national team’s home ground, they play most of the matches here and there is usually quite good support. There has been talk of 11,000 spectators today, not quite Wembley level but still a good setting, says Olof Lundh.
“Many good players”
In addition to home ground, the Swedish women’s national team has additional wind in their sails ahead of tonight’s meeting. The last time Sweden and France faced each other, the match ended with a Swedish 3-0 victory. Even then at old Ullevi.
But it is a strong France that awaits tonight.
– They have many good players, several of them play in PSG, who recently knocked out Häcken in the Champions League. So we have to keep track of them, says Olof Lundh.