Sweden’s soccer ladies have never lost an international match against Spain and therefore all the pressure is on the blue and yellow national team, says Spanish national team captain Jorge Vilda ahead of Tuesday’s semi-final.
But that’s a sleepy statistic to hide behind. The countries have only met once in the last 21 years and then, in an international match in Córdoba last year, it was 1-1.
— I don’t know who are the favorites in this match. But when you get to the semi-finals, there are only good teams left. I know they have a great team and so do we, says Sweden’s Fridolina Rolfö, on weekdays in Barcelona, Spain.
Mix of opponents
But there is more than head-to-head meetings that could weigh heavily in the battle for a place in the World Cup finals in Sydney on Sunday. Like Sweden has been in the semi-finals in four straight championships, while on Tuesday Spain plays its very first World Cup semi.
— It is clear that experience is something that we can benefit from. We have come a long way in the last few tournaments and that is something that we must take with us, says midfielder Kosovare Asllani.
On the way to the semi-finals, Sweden has knocked out two former world champions in the play-offs. Spain is a bit like a mix of the two, and even without the routine it says something about the team’s qualities.
— It’s almost as if Spain is a combination of the United States and Japan. They are more aggressive than Japan and we will have to prepare for that. Because they are very aggressive and want to win the ball back, and will certainly stand high on us. We need to be prepared there, says Fridolina Rolfö.
— But I am extremely excited for the match. We’ve had an amazing time here and we can hardly get over it.
Big fan of Spain
One person who is especially looking forward to facing Spain in particular is Sweden’s national team captain. Peter Gerhardsson has long admired Spanish football. This is partly why the Swedish team plays the way they do, with a very high pressure in the defensive game.
— I’m a big fan of old Dutch football with Johan Cruijff, he was the one who brought this to Spain. I have followed it and been an admirer of this kind of football, with this high recapture. And I may have stolen a little from there as well, and spiced it up with a bit of German marking and melee play, says Gerhardsson.
If Sweden is to reach the World Cup final for the second time in history, it is partly necessary to be the best in the press game, and partly to take advantage of the fact that you are. Then it can carry all the way to Sydney, believes Kosovare Asllani.
— We are facing a Spain that is very focused on ball possession, it is a very technically skilled national team. But we have played them before and know their strengths. And it also means that it will open up areas in the transition game. We have the match plan ready for us and feel ready for tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to it, says Asllani.