Sweden is currently in the second-tier of the women’s international football pyramid and quite a ways behind the upper echelon of realistic contenders for the crown—Sweden are ranked fifth by FIFA. A third place finish at the World Cup four years ago—beating favourites France 2-1—it’s unrealistic to expect anything more this summer. Even a semifinal appearance might be a bridge too far for this team to cross. Back-to-back fourth place finishes at the Algarve Cup—losing to Norway in 2013 and Iceland in 2014—are both examples of Sweden being a couple steps behind the pace of the title contenders.
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Roster
Goalkeepers: Hedvig Lindahl, Hilda Carlén and Carola Söberg
Defenders: Charlotte Rohlin, Emma Berglund, Nilla Fischer, Sara Thunebro, Amanda Ilestedt, Lina Nilsson, Jessica Samuelsson and Elin Rubensson
Midfielders: Linda Sembrant, Lisa Dahlkvist, Malin Diaz, Therese Sjögran, Caroline Seger, Emilia Appelqvist and Olivia Schough
Forwards: Lotta Schelin, Kosovare Asllani, Sofia Jakobsson, Jenny Hjohlman and Emma Lundh
Coach
After stepping down as coach of the United States in 2012 following gold medal success at the London Olympics—winning 91 of 107 matches in four years—Pia Sundhage will get the chance to face her former employers in the Swede’s second group fixture. Having won three Algarve Cups (2008, 2010, 2011) , two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012) with the United States—only a World Cup winners medal is missing from her trophy cabinet—a new challenge was warranted.
Schedule
June 8: vs. Nigeria in Winnipeg
June 12: vs. USA in Winnipeg
June 16: vs. Australia in Edmonton
How they qualified
Won UEFA World Cup qualifying group with a perfect record (10 wins, 32 goals and one conceded). To be fair, it was a pretty easy mixture of opponents—Scotland and Poland being the only teams in the top 30 of the FIFA rankings.
Team strengths
Having one of the best tactical minds in professional women’s football in the dugout is a huge advantage, as well as the motivation for Sundhage to guide her home country to the promise land. The native Swede is fully committed to the huge project in her hands. Sundhage also holds an ace up her sleeve, as having the inside knowledge of the Americans will be a tremendous asset in what will be Sweden’s biggest match in the group stage.
Team weaknesses
Succumbing to the pressure of a crucial fixture has always haunted the Swedes, which has more to do with the experience on the pitch and in the dressing room—a leader must step forward. Discipline and tactics fall by the wayside when faced with adversity.
Player to watch
Kosovare Asllani: The 25 year-old forward is known as the female Zlatan Ibrahimovic, having both been born in Sweden to immigrant parents and both playing their club football at PSG—ironically it was Ibrahimovic who presented her to the media after Asllani signed with the club back in 2012. Blessed with great speed and technique, Asllani is the real deal and was an easy selection to the squad this time around after controversially missing out four years ago in Germany. She recently participated at the 2015 UEFA Women’s Champions League final, where PSG lost to Frankfurt 2-1 in Berlin.
Burning question
Is Sundhage the real deal? I would say yes, though, some feel her success with the United States had more to do with the talent pool at her disposal rather than master-class management. She will get her chance to silence her critics.
Prospects
Most expect the Swede’s to finish second in the group behind the powerhouse Americans, which will more than likely set up a match-up with Brazil in the second round. Should they somehow manage to overcome the Selecao, barring any unforeseen turn of events, the reigning World Cup champions (Japan) will be their next opponents in the last eight. If Sweden expects to equal or better their performance in 2011 (third), they will have finish top of the group, which means defeating the USA in their second group match.
World Cup history
1991 – Semifinals (3rd place)
1995 – Quarterfinal
1999 – Quarterfinal
2003 – Runners-up
2007 – Group Stage
2011 – Semifinals (3rd place)