Sweden Secures EM Quarterfinal Spot with 3-0 Victory Over Poland
Sweden triumphs over Poland 3-0, advancing to the EM quarterfinals with stellar performances from key players.
Key Points
- • Sweden won 3-0 against Poland in the EM, securing a quarterfinal spot.
- • Stina Blackstenius scored the opening goal with a header, followed by goals from Kosovare Asllani and Lina Hurtig.
- • Sweden dominated the match, with most of the play in Poland's half.
- • Sweden needs only a draw against Germany to secure top group position.
In a remarkable display at the Swissporarena in Luzern, Sweden convincingly defeated Poland 3-0, securing a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship (EM). The match highlighted Sweden's dominance, showcasing key players, including goal scorer Stina Blackstenius, who played a crucial role in the victory.
The game saw an early barrage of attacks from Sweden, with Kosovare Asllani and Madelen Janogy both hitting the crossbar before Blackstenius found the net with a header in the 27th minute, assisted by Asllani's perfect cross. Asllani, following up her assist, scored the second goal with another header just after the half-time mark, solidifying Sweden's lead. The final goal came in the 77th minute from Lina Hurtig, who scored with another header off a corner kick taken by Jonna Andersson.
Sweden controlled much of the match, with the majority of play occurring in Poland's half, which struggled to create significant scoring opportunities. Poland's star player, Ewa Pajor, was notably subdued, receiving minimal support throughout the game. Despite the loss, Poland displayed marked improvement in their play, indicating progress in their development within women's football.
This victory positions Sweden atop their group, with their next match against Germany set to determine group honors. Sweden only needs a draw to secure the top spot. Head coach Peter Gerhardsson praised the team's performance, especially the quality of their goals. Asllani, buoyant after the match, expressed the team's ambition to win against Germany, saying, "We want to win against Germany; we do not want a draw."
As the tournament advances, both teams prepare for their next challenges, with Sweden eyeing a strong continuation of their campaign and Poland aiming to gain valuable experience despite the setback in this match.