“The semifinals hurt” – with World Cup hosts Australia and Sweden. In the game for third place, there should now be a happy ending for both teams. It’s a special duel – you know each other well.
The pain of the semi-final defeat is gone. Now it’s about bronze. In the “small final” of the Women’s World Cup, Australia and Sweden will play on Saturday (19.08.2023, 10 a.m., in the live stream and live on ARD) for a conciliatory end to the title fights. “We’re damn hungry. We want to fly back to Sweden with bronze.”, so the combative announcement by Amanda Ilestedt. Sweden’s world-class defender adds: “We will do everything to win this game.”
Gustavsson: No experiments
“The semifinals hurt”Australia coach Tony Gustavsson looks back on the 3-1 defeat by England. “I know we’re emotional. But we don’t have time to deal with it. We’re playing for a medal. We have to be ready”, said the Swedish coach of “Matildas” on Friday (08/18/2023) at the press conference. And Sam Kerr, star of the hosting team, adds: “The focus is entirely on the game for third place.”
Gustavsson: Wins and losses against Sweden
And this game is for the former striker, born in Sundsvall, Sweden”a very special game. I’ve definitely played against Sweden in every tournament. I trained a lot of friends and players there“. As assistant coach of the US ladies, Gustavsson defeated Sweden at the 2019 World Cup, among other events. However, he has also had to cope with bitter defeats against his home country, such as in the 2016 Olympic quarterfinals, in which Sweden dramatically prevailed on penalties.
In the Swedish professional league, the coach trained, among others, Tyresö FF, with the club he also reached the Champions League final in 2014 (3:4 defeat against Wolfsburg), Sundsvall and Hammarby. But Gustavsson has no time for sentimentality, because “when the game starts tomorrow, it’s about football for 90 minutes.”
And: “We want to win”says Gustavsson, who therefore also wants to let his best team play. “I will choose the strongest starting line-up. It’s not about giving players experience in this game”Gustavsson rejects the hopes of some reservists to be deployed.
Concussion: “Matildas” defense chief Kennedy is missing
But the coach should be in pain that he has to do without Alanna Kennedy. The 28-year-old defender misses the bronze game with a concussion she sustained in the quarter-finals against France. Kennedy, who had played an outstanding World Cup up to that point, had to pass in the semifinals against England. Kennedy is the fourth “Matildas” player, after Mary Fowler, Aivi Luik and Charlotte Grant, to suffer a concussion during the World Cup.
“Is football now Australia’s national sport?”
“We’re tough. We’re fit. We have the support of the fans”, according to Gustavsson. The support of the fans is certain for the hostesses – in Brisbane the stadium is sold out with 50,000 spectators, as in the semifinals, which set a new TV record with 11 million viewers, many millions will again cheer on the screen. The Australian press is already discussing: “The Great Debate: Is Football Now Australia’s National Sport?”. As news.com.au notes: “That pride, as the ‘Matildas’ took us on an exhilarating journey, captivated the country like never before.”
Sweden goalkeeper Musovic: “I love these situations”
The strong support from the fans makes Australia the favorites in the match for third place in the eyes of Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic: “They’ve got the crowd and the pressure on them. They’re the favourites. We need a top performance”says the 27-year-old and is looking forward to the duel: “I love situations like this.”
Five Australians play in Sweden
The “small final” between Sweden and Australia is a special one – you know each other. Gustavsson plays against his home country, some of the ‘Matildas’ against club team-mates. Five Australians are under contract in Sweden, with Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby) also one of the top performers.
Who decides the duel Musovic vs. Kerr?
Eleven players from the “Aussie” team and seven Swedes also play in the English Women’s Super League. The most exciting direct duel in the match for third place could be between two Chelsea players: Sweden’s goalkeeper Musovic wants to prevent another goal from Kerr. Kerr only underlined her class in the semi-finals – with what is probably the most beautiful goal of the tournament, she scored against England to make it 1-1. Will she also score against Musovic? “It’s nice to play against teammates. I’m also happy that Zecira has played so well so far. But hopefully not tomorrow.”said Kerr.
First bronze for Australia or fourth for Sweden?
Even before kick-off, one thing is certain for Australia’s team: no matter how the game ends, the placement will be the best in football history on the fifth continent. So far the “Matildas” did not get past the quarterfinals (2007/2011/2015), the male “Socceroos” made it to the round of 16 at most (2022). Sweden, on the other hand, wants to win bronze for the fourth time after 1991, 2011 and 2019. Whenever the team was in the “small final”, it also won.
Facts about the match for third place
– Sweden’s way: Prelims: 2-1 v South Africa, 5-0 v Italy, 2-0 v Argentina, Round of 16: 5-4 UE v USA, quarter-finals: 2-1 v Japan, semi-finals: 1-2 v Spain
– Australia’s way: Group stage: 1-0 v Ireland, 2-3 v Nigeria, 4-0 v Canada, round of 16: 2-0 v Denmark, quarter-finals: 7-6 UE v France, semi-finals: 1-3 v England
– FIFA World Ranking: Sweden 3rd / Australia 10th
– Play against each other: 15 (9 wins Sweden, 2 wins Australia, 4 draws)
– Last duel: Australia won 4-0 in a friendly in November 2022 in Melbourne
– fun facts: Australia could become the second World Cup host to win a medal (previously only the USA: world champions 1999 and 2003 third).
– fun facts 2: Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt could become the first defender in World Cup history to become the top scorer. With four goals so far, she is one goal behind Hinata Miyazawa of Japan.