For a long time, the Scandinavians despaired of defensive Belgium. Then it gets dramatic – and the surprise team experiences a bitter end.
Sweden is in the semi-finals of the women’s European Football Championship in England. There was a narrow 1-0 (0-0) victory against the surprise team Belgium on Friday evening in front of around 7,500 spectators in Leigh. Linda Sembrandt (90+2) scored the winning goal in added time for the superior Swedes, who at times despaired of the defensive Belgians.
The Swedes now play hosts England in Sheffield on Tuesday to see them through to the final on 31 July at London’s Wembley Stadium. Belgium had made it through to the quarter-finals thanks to a 1-0 win against Italy in their last group game, but were only able to set a few accents against the tournament co-favourites.
Sweden had to do without defenders Hanna Glas from FC Bayern Munich and Emma Kullberg (Brighton & Hove Albion Women FC) because of positive corona tests, but they were still the dominant team for long stretches. A goal by Stina Blackstenius was disallowed in the 27th minute after video evidence for an offside position.
In Belgium, Tine De Caigny from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim scored the all-important 1-0 win over Italy, but the striker was harmless against Sweden. The outsider impressed above all with his defensive qualities, with which he demanded everything from the Swedes until injury time.