Women’s Euro 2022: Sweden Next for the Lionesses

England vs Sweden

One more barrier stands between England and the Women’s Euro 2022 final, but it’s a formidable one as they face highly rated Sweden at Bramhall Lane in Sheffield. 

Sweden’s women are ranked second in the world, behind the USA, while England sit in eighth place. Head coach Peter Gerhardsson has been with the Swedes since 2017 and has put together a well-organised side which has a real bite in attack.  

The Women’s Euro 2022 betting odds are backing the Lionesses to make it through to the final, but this is the biggest test so far for Sarina Wiegman in an eventual year as head coach and it is sure to be a tense night in Sheffield.

Nobody wants to go out of any competition at the semi-final stage, and I’m predicting a nail-biting 90 minutes… and maybe more.  

Talking Points

Does Wiegman have the winning formula?

As head coach of her home nation, the Netherlands, England boss Wiegman has won this tournament before when the Oranje lifted the trophy in 2017. She inherited a team bereft of confidence, losing four of five warm-up games. But with little time to turn things around she transformed the group of Dutch players who went on to win every match at the tournament.

The 4-2 victory in the 2017 final was the Netherlands women’s first ever major honour and it seemed a long way away just six months earlier.   

Fast forward to 2022 and, as England boss in the quarter-final against Spain, she showed she can make the big decisions and turn a game with her tactical nous. Beth Mead has been England’s standout performer with five goals and two assists but, with England at 1-0 down and time running out, Wiegman pulled her off along with playmaker Fran Kirby and went to a back three.

Ten minutes left and she had rolled the dice.

And it paid off as England roared back, with two goals and Georgia Stanway slamming in the dramatic winner.     

After beating Norway 8-0 and Northern Ireland 5-0 in their last two matches the England women proved they can keep the faith when all looks lost, and that could be crucial when they meet Sweden. 

In the men’s game England’s Harry Kane will be one of the favourites for the World Cup 2022 Golden Boot and the women too have the sharpest shooter in their midst. With five goals, Mead is the tournament’s top scorer and, after being hooked in the quarter-finals she will be keen to get on the pitch again and she certainly has more goals in her. 

Relentless Sweden will fight to the end

While England’s Women’s Euro 2022 results have been impressive enough, Sweden too have been at the top of their game, following up a 5-0 win over Portugal with a battling 1-0 victory over a stubborn Belgium side at the Leigh Sports Village. 

Sweden were hot favourites to win their quarter-final and they rained down 33 shots on the Belgium goal, many of them from distance as the Belgians kept a tight line in defence. But eventually Sweden’s determination paid off as veteran defender Linda Sembrant scored in the 92^nd minute to book her team’s ticket to Sheffield. 

Midfield star Kosovore Asllani thought she’d pierced the Belgium defence but her goal was cancelled out by VAR, but when Juventus star Sembrandt turned home a rebound from close range the Swedes had got the reward they deserved.

Asslani is the player England must watch the closest. She has made three assists and scored one goal and she has skill and pace in bucket loads.        

History

England and Sweden are pioneers of the Women’s game, both being major players in Europe’s challenge to overcome the might of the USA.

Sweden won the inaugural Women’s Euros back in 1984 and were runners-up in the 2003 World Cup, and were Olympic Games silver medallists in 2020.

England are twice European runners-up, in 1984 and 2009, and came third in the 2015 World Cup.

In terms of head-to-head meetings Sweden have the edge. The two teams have met eight times with Sweden registering four wins, two wins and a draw, winning the last meeting 2-1 in a 2019 World Cup clash.

Sweden are unbeaten in 16 games and England are unbeaten in 18.

With the Community Shield played at Leicester City, the Women’s Euro final will take place at London’s Wembley Stadium and both teams will be desperate to make the showcase final.  

Betting Tip

The hosts are favourites at an SBOTOP price of 1.74 to win, while Sweden are available at a tempting price of 3.64.

While both teams have been scoring for fun; Sweden have conceded just two goals and England one and Under 2.50 goals, at a price of 1.70, is an alternative worth a closer look.

 

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