In England, Sweden are increasingly relying on talent alongside their experienced players. One of the biggest plays at Everton – and has big plans for the semifinals against England.
When Hanna Bennison switched from Swedish club FC Rosengård to Everton in the English Women’s Super League (WSL) for a lavish six-figure sum in the summer of 2021, many experts wrinkled their noses. “Far too much money for such a young player” and “Will not be able to prevail in the physically strong English league” – that’s the verdict of the skeptics.
Bennison’s critics have fallen silent
Today – a year later – the critics of the now 19-year-old have fallen silent. The young attacking player is considered to be one of the most valuable talents in the world and is also one of Sweden’s greatest hopes in the forthcoming European Championship semifinals against England on Tuesday (July 26, 2022, 9 p.m. live on Erste and on sportschau.de).
Goal! Bennison scored against Switzerland
Ex-England international Anita Asante, who now works for UEFA, wrote on the European Football Association’s website of a “magical moment” when Bennison scored Sweden’s 2-1 winner in the second round of the EURO against Switzerland. “It was really difficult – she kind of turned her body around the ball to get the best shot,” Asante explained. “It was magical to score a goal like that, especially at the Euro. It was pure luck. I didn’t have time to think much. I saw a gap and I tried,” Bennison said of her goal.
“This is what Sweden’s team needs”
In general, Asante, the former defender, sees Sweden’s national team in a state of upheaval, which Bennison also has a lot to do with: “It’s what Sweden’s team needs. She came in as a young substitute and has had a huge impact on the game.”
Bennison was there at the 2021 Olympics when Sweden won the silver medal. National coach Peter Gerhardsson builds up the offensive player, who likes to push forward from the 10, slowly and carefully – that’s obvious. She came on after 70 minutes against Switzerland, in the previous game against the Netherlands in the 71st minute, against Portugal as well. In the quarterfinals against Belgium, she only came on in the 84th minute, only to be involved in the 1-0 winner a little later.
“We know them well”
For the semi-final against England, Bennison has clear ideas about how a win could succeed: “We have to stop their fast attacking players. To do that, we have to show our best possible performance, especially in defence.”
For her, who plays on the island herself, the English aces are of course not unknown. “We have many in the team who play in England or have played there. That’s an advantage for us. We know them well,” says Bennison. She also made her debut for Everton in WSL in September 2021 when she came on as a substitute in the 4-0 loss to Manchester City.
At eleven to Malmö to Rosengard
Everton played a mixed season, the team had to cope with two coaching changes before they managed to stay up in the league. Bennison quickly established himself as a regular and was used in a total of 22 games. The club then named her the “best young player” of the year.
She grew up in Lomma, a small suburb of Malmö. At the age of 11, Bennison decided to devote herself fully to football and moved to the city to play for FC Rosengård, where she made her first-team debut at the age of 15. A little over twelve months later, she received her first call-up to the Swedish national team. “It all happened in a very short time,” she admits.
“In England against England – it doesn’t get any better”
Her teammate Amanda Ilestedt, who played for FC Bayern Munich from 2019 to 2021, is just as optimistic as Bennison about the upcoming semi-finals. “We’ve learned as a team to defend across the field. That’s a huge strength of ours that we have to bring to bear against England. Well, then our counterattacks have to work,” said the 29-year-old.
In general, the Swedish team is looking forward to the game, even if there will of course be a lot of pressure from the stands against the hosts. “It’s incredibly fun to play in such an atmosphere, in front of so many fans. Playing against England in England – it doesn’t get any better than that.”