A place in the quarterfinals of the UEFA ladies' championship of 2025 is secured with a game to save and the head coach Peter Gerhardson van Zweden is expected to make changes this evening prior to the last group C match against Germany.
Instead of making use of the opportunity to let players rest prior to the knockout phase, Gerhardson changes his line-up with ambitions to defeat Germany in Zurich and the group beyond.
Finishing the reward for the first time is not only a last eight match against a so-called weaker opponent, but would mean that they will remain in Zurich for the quarterfinals and the semi-final, Sweden should be there.
Speaking at the press conference for the competition, Gerhardson made his ambitions clear: “We would really like to win this group and play in the quarterfinals on Thursday. We could see that we will not have the same starting line-up. As I have said, we will never do it, but we will see myself even surprise myself!”
Sweden scored three main goals and held a fourth clean slate in their last five games in the 3-0 win against Poland previous time-out, but this time Gerhardson expects a different kind of game against a German side that scored at least twice in all their last eight outings.
“It was strong to score three cup goals – one from a fixed piece that we are good at. I think that tomorrow's game might be a different type of game, possibly more counterattacks.”
These two teams met in the Eefa ladies Euro Finals in 1995 and 2001, and the current generation of players also know each other well.
“We have a good understanding of our opponents themselves; it can be a small detail or something. Some they may have confronted with training or in the competition, and that experience will be valuable. On the other hand, the German players will have the same insight in those specific games,” Gerhardson explains.
Thanks to their superior target difference, a draw will be enough for the Blagult to end up on top of the classification of the group C, and Vooruit Johanna Rytting Kanyd knows that her side has a challenge, but she is looking forward to it.
“I think it will be a tough game. Germany is a good team. I have the feeling that we have many similarities in the way we play. It will be a fun game to play.”
Rytting Kaneryd will want to score her first goal of the tournament against her former Chelsea teammate, goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, “I have played with her for a few years; she is really a good keeper, and it is of course always good to know who you are playing.”
“That said, I also know her strength, and we have to watch out. The way in which Germany wants to play is very offensive, and as soon as she gets the ball (berger), she goes looking for the long pass to the attacking players. We have to be smart in the way we play.”
Whether it is a victory, draw or loss for Sweden, they will continue to the quarterfinals and on Sunday they will discover whether they will play France, England, the Netherlands or Wales.