Sweden’s women’s national team has never missed two straight championships. But the goalless end to the EC qualifier means that the threat still hangs over Blågult.
0-0 in Gothenburg means that France and England take the two direct places to the EC next year. Sweden, third in the group, will instead have to reload for the playoffs this fall. There, victory is required in two double meetings – the first in October, the second at the turn of November–December – to get to the European Championship.
We had hoped to win this match and make it to the EC, says Fridolina Rolfö to SVT.
Did not create pressure
To secure the EC place on Tuesday, victory was a must. But Sweden had difficulty creating pressure against the reigning European champions.
The first half was tight overall. England had most of the ball, Sweden tried to rely on turnovers. Neither team managed to create any scoring chances to speak of, with the possible exception of Georgia Stanway whose 37th-minute long-range shot went narrowly wide of Zecira Musovic’s far post.
Madelen Janogy did not come into his own as a central striker and was replaced at half-time. Evelyn Ijeh, who made his national team debut against France as recently as Friday, replaced. But the 22-year-old also had difficulty untying the knots.
With half an hour left, the national team captain tested with two more substitutions, including both Hanna Bennison and Rosa Kafaji.
New audience record
A few minutes later, the latter ran through the English defense and when Leah Williamson pounced on a sliding tackle, Kafaji could easily have gone down and argued for a penalty. But the 21-year-old stood on his feet and had to settle for a corner.
The attack nevertheless gained momentum in Sweden and in Gamla Ullevi’s packed stands – 16,789 was a new attendance record for a women’s international match at the arena – the yellow-clad fans began to feel the weather, well aware of what a late lead goal would probably mean.
England retreated more and more, Sweden pushed but had difficulty creating more than a few semi-dangerous corners.
Filippa Angeldahl tried from distance in the 83rd minute, but England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was able to save the heavy shot with some difficulty.
In the final minutes, Peter Gerhardsson made one last move: in with Sofia Jakobsson and Nathalie Björn.
But nothing helped.
Sweden leaves the qualifiers with two draws against the reigning EC gold medallists. A nice conclusion, but no great consolation this Tuesday evening.
On Friday, the draw will be drawn for who Sweden will face in the autumn playoffs.