This text is a part of the Guardian’s Euro 2025 Specialists’ Community, a cooperation between among the finest media organisations from the 16 international locations who certified. theguardian.com is working previews from two groups every day within the run-up to the event kicking off on 2 July.
Overview
Sweden’s journey to the Euros was each sophisticated and easy. The sophisticated bit got here first and concerned being drawn in the identical group as England and France: Sweden finally completed third regardless of drawing twice with the European champions. That led to the straightforward bit: a playoff the place Serbia had been taken aside 8-0 on mixture.
After that got here a blended Nations League marketing campaign. Denmark had been overwhelmed house and away, Sweden scoring eight targets over two matches. Wales proved a more durable nut to crack, with Rhian Wilkinson’s staff coming away with two 1-1 attracts.
Given that each match was aggressive the top coach, Peter Gerhardsson, couldn’t afford to rotate his squad a lot. For instance, going into the sport towards Norway on 26 June, there was just one goalkeeper accessible with worldwide expertise: Jennifer Falk. The 2 back-ups, Tove Enblom and Emma Holmgren, are but to play at senior degree.
Gerhardsson, nevertheless, was unconcerned. “I don’t know if it actually issues,” he stated. “If one in all them had performed and conceded plenty of targets, that choice might need backfired – and you then’d need to take that consequence with you into the Euros.”
On the whole Sweden have been lucky with accidents however in the course of the last camp Arsenal’s Rosa Kafaji withdrew with a foot damage and within the massive win towards Denmark in early June, the Barcelona star Fridolina Rolfö additionally suffered a foot damage. On 9 June Barça stated the participant had suffered ligament harm however Sweden’s medical staff are assured she will likely be match for the opening fixture towards Denmark on 4 July.
The important thing midfielder is Actual Madrid’s Filippa Angeldahl, Gerhardsson’s trusted common on the pitch, and she or he contributes along with her fair proportion of targets. Nathalie Björn and Magdalena Eriksson are dependable decisions at centre-back, whereas on the correct, Hanna Lundkvist has turn into first-choice however she is now going through competitors from the teen Smilla Holmberg.
Up entrance, the attacking trio of Rolfö, Stina Blackstenius and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd will as soon as once more lead the road, having proved their consistency for a while now.
The coach
It is a particular event for the top coach, Peter Gerhardsson, his final in cost. He will likely be changed by the previous Australia head coach, Tony Gustavsson, after Euro 2025.Initially from Uppsala and a former top-flight participant for Hammarby, Gerhardsson has been in cost since 2017. In practically eight years he has led Sweden to 2 World Cup bronze medals, an Olympic silver and a European Championship semi-final. He additionally walked into a brush cabinet after a press convention on the 2023 World Cup, to everybody’s amusement, a second immortalised by the Guardian cartoonist David Squires. Gerhardsson was delighted: “For me, who favored cartoons once I grew up, that was massive. It may’t be straightforward to function in a Guardian cartoon. I managed that with out even making an attempt! I felt: ‘Rattling, that’s enjoyable.’ The truth that they had been poking enjoyable at me I don’t care about. I’m who I’m. I attempt to be sincere to myself so right here I’m, that has professionals and cons. You need to take that.”
Star participant
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. Sweden have a number of high-profile gamers, equivalent to Stina Blackstenius and Fridolina Rolfö, however Chelsea’s Rytting Kaneryd was trusted by her membership coach Sonia Bompastor in the course of the 2024-25 season and was named Sweden’s footballer of the yr for 2024-25. She performed a key position in Chelsea’s home treble and was one in all Sweden’s most vital gamers in each the Euro qualifiers and the Nations League. She is finest identified for her pace and fearless one-on-one play down the flank. As Magdalena Eriksson stated: “As a former left-back I can simply say that she’s a full-back’s worst nightmare.”
One to observe
The 18-year-old full-back Smilla Holmberg is without doubt one of the most enjoyable and intriguing gamers within the squad. Holmberg and one other teen, her Hammarby teammate Ellen Wangerheim, each have enormous potential. However whereas Wangerheim has been linked with a number of massive golf equipment overseas it has been comparatively quiet for Holmberg. That is perhaps about to alter. She made a powerful debut towards Italy within the Nations League and if she continues on the identical path most golf equipment will need her. A fearless full-back who shouldn’t be afraid to assault, she can be remarkably composed in defence.
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Possible lineup
Standing of home prime flight
Damallsvenskan has traditionally had a excessive standing. It produces proficient gamers who steadily transfer on to prime worldwide leagues. Nonetheless lately the Swedish league has misplaced some standing globally – a problem at present being addressed in Sweden to maintain tempo with the quickly rising main leagues. The league is formally classed as skilled however some features are extra semi-professional. Many gamers produce other jobs alongside their taking part in careers. There may be plenty of expertise coming by means of, together with Häcken’s Felicia Schröder, in addition to the Hammarby duo Wangerheim and Holmberg.
Practical goal in Switzerland
Sweden are historically a powerful event staff. They need to advance from the group, although Germany will likely be a troublesome opponent. A possible quarter-final towards England or France can be a significant impediment and it’s affordable to suppose that the journey will finish there.
The Sweden staff information was written by Ella Lindvall for Fotbollskanalen.
