Sweden head coach Peter Gerhardsson admits he might have to conjure an additional particular sport plan after establishing a Euro 2022 semi-final showdown with hosts England.
The match’s highest ranked workforce will tackle the Lionesses on Tuesday night at Bramall Lane having been reliant on a last-gasp winner for Friday’s unconvincing 1-0 victory over Belgium.
“We’re going to have a plan,” Gerhardsson stated of taking up Sarina Wiegman’s aspect in Sheffield. “I don’t know right now what we’re going to make up.
“But I can assure that we’re going to have a plan – and we need a good plan, we need a very good plan, and maybe we need an extremely, very good plan. It’s a really good team. It’s going to be an interesting challenge.”
The quarter-finals conclude on Saturday night with defending champions the Netherlands dealing with France for the fitting to tackle Germany.
Sweden made to sweat
Sweden have been solely spared a tense extra-time interval towards the persistent Belgians after defender Linda Sembrant struck two minutes into added time at Leigh Sports Village.
The 1984 European champions, who had a first-half Stina Blackstenius aim dominated out for offside following a VAR evaluate, dominated proceedings however squandered a number of possibilities earlier than releasing a mix of reduction and jubilation at full-time.
Sweden’s Magdalena Eriksson conceded a nervy night had been a extreme psychological problem and revealed she was near tears following the decisive aim.
The Chelsea defender – considered one of eight WSL gamers in Gerhardsson’s squad – is aware of her aspect should swiftly get better bodily, having been given two days fewer than England to organize for subsequent week’s crunch conflict.
“I know all the players they have, they are extremely talented players, so we’re going to have to be really on it,” she stated. “Now it’s about recovering, getting fresh again and then taking them on.
“It’s going to be an extremely tough game for us. England have been amazing so far in the tournament.”
Lionesses raring to roar
England head into the last-four buoyed by a shocking 2-1 comeback win over Spain secured by an outstanding Georgia Stanway strike and hoping to encourage one other raucous house crowd.
Midfielder Keira Walsh revealed she can not wait to as soon as once more belt out a hair-raising rendition of the nationwide anthem.
The 25-year-old feels singing ‘God Save The Queen’ finest encapsulates the rising pleasure concerning the Lionesses’ possibilities of lifting their first main trophy.
“You can hear it echoing around the stadium and it’s such a special feeling and one we’ve not experienced before because we’ve not had a home tournament,” stated Manchester City participant Walsh.
“It does give you that little bit of an extra push.”
Dutch star Gunner be prepared?
Attention reverts again to Rotherham on Saturday night, with the doable return of Vivianne Miedema a significant speaking level forward of mouth-watering encounter between the Dutch and the French at New York Stadium.
Prolific Netherlands striker Miedema missed her nation’s remaining two group video games resulting from Covid-19 however might be again to spearhead their assault having resumed coaching.
Head coach Mark Parsons on Friday provided an upbeat replace concerning the Arsenal star.
“I’m spreading as much positive energy and optimism as possible, but we have to see,” he stated. “There is a chance she could be available because things are going well, but we need to tick these last few boxes.”
‘Underdogs’ France bidding to make historical past
France have reached the quarter-final stage for the fourth successive Euros however they’ve by no means been additional.
Les Bleues defeated the Dutch 3-1 in a pleasant in February however head coach Corinne Diacre insists her workforce are underdogs as she bids to mastermind a small piece of historical past.
“The Netherlands are the holders and, if either of us are favourites, it should be them,” she stated. “As everyone keeps telling us: we’ve never been past the quarter-finals so we can hardly be favourites.”
Stat of the day
Quote of the day
Post of the day
Up subsequent
July 23
Quarter-final: France v Netherlands (8pm, New York Stadium, Rotherham)
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk