Pressure Mounts on Smilla Holmberg Following Sweden's EM Exit
Sweden's emotional exit from the 2025 Women's EM highlights the pressure on young player Smilla Holmberg after a crucial missed penalty.
Key Points
- • Sweden lost to England in a penalty shootout after leading 2-0.
- • 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg faced criticism for missing the decisive penalty.
- • Experts suggest it was unfair to pressure Holmberg instead of using experienced players.
- • The team collectively supports all penalty takers, acknowledging the bravery involved.
In a heart-wrenching conclusion to Sweden's journey in the 2025 Women's Football EM, the national team exited the tournament after a dramatic penalty shootout loss to England in the quarter-finals. The match, held in Zürich, was marked by emotional highs and lows, as Sweden initially led 2-0 until England made a remarkable comeback by scoring two goals in the final minutes of regular time, forcing the game into extra time.
The tension culminated in a penalty shootout where Sweden struggled significantly, missing a total of five penalties. Among the missed efforts, 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg faced immense pressure as she stepped up to take the decisive penalty kick but shot over the bar, resulting in Sweden's elimination. After the match, Holmberg's situation drew criticism for placing such a weighty responsibility on such a young player. SVT football expert Lotta Schelin specifically remarked, “Man ska inte lägga den pressen på en 18-åring,” emphasizing that it was inappropriate to burden Holmberg at her age when other more experienced players were available for the task.
Despite the scrutiny on Holmberg, her teammates rallied behind her. Defender Magdalena Eriksson highlighted the collective effort involved in penalty-taking, stating, “Vi gör det här tillsammans. Jag missade också min straff. De som går upp och tar en straff är hjältar för laget,” which translates to recognizing the courage of all who attempt penalties, regardless of the outcome. The team, after leading comfortably, expressed their feelings of disappointment post-match. Eriksson articulated the emotional toll, saying, “Jag känner mig ledsen, tom och besviken. Det här kommer vara svårt att gå vidare från.”
Head coach Peter Gerhardsson reflected on the difficulty of penalties, noting the overwhelming pressure associated with such pivotal moments in matches. The Swedish team will have to address these experiences as they move forward, focusing on building resilience from this bittersweet departure from the tournament.