Sweden had a strong 2-0 from last week’s away game. It was more than enough, it would quickly appear when the playoff meeting kicked off at the Tele2 arena in Stockholm on Tuesday evening.
Even when Filippa Angeldahl made it 1-0 on a penalty in the 16th minute – video review was required before referee Eleni Antoniou pointed to the penalty spot – it was basically decided.
Ten minutes later the tension was completely gone.
Photo: TV4
Missed the Olympics this summer
Kosovare Asllani slipped in her 47th international goal in the 19th minute, when Serbia goalkeeper Sara Cetinja was forced to return Filippa Angeldahl’s cross. A few minutes after that, Stina Blackstenius pushed forward after a Swedish corner and pushed in 3–0.
It meant 5-0 in total and Sweden could definitely blow out.
A Swedish women’s national football team has not missed a European Championship in over 30 years. An unsuccessful playoff would also have meant that Sweden had missed out on two consecutive championships for the first time ever, after missing out on this summer’s Olympics in Paris.
But it was never close.
Serbia, ranked 34th in the world, was several numbers too small over two games.
On the artificial grass in the Tele2 arena, Sweden had a playhouse for long moments with the Serbians, who can continue to dream of a first major championship.
Fridolina Rolfö – the Barcelona star was starting her first game in over a month – managed to hit the crossbar before another of her shot attempts was deflected to Stina Blackstenius, who kicked in her second goal of the evening.
Sweden then led 4–0 (6–0 in total) and a few seconds later the referee blew the first half.
New goal by Bennison
As expected, the game became more sleepy after the break, when both teams were in the clear about which team would go to the European Championship.
However, Hanna Bennison brought the crowd to life when she thundered home 5-0 from distance in the 57th minute, the 22-year-old midfielder’s third international goal (the second in the play-off meeting with Serbia).
Just over half an hour later, substitute Anna Anvegård also made it 6–0. Shortly afterwards, the match was called off – and the blue-yellow EC cheering took off.
In two weeks you will find out who Sweden will be up against in the EC. Then the group stage is drawn.