Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The Threat to Sweden: Stars Risk Being Suspended

A completely decisive match against England – then six Swedish stars risk being suspended. In the European Championship qualifier, just two warnings lead to the player missing the next match. We don't have the luxury of resting any players, if we do, we'll get a big beating, says goalkeeper Zecira Musovic ahead of the meeting with France.

» Updated: 16 July 2024, 14:17

» Published: 09 July 2024

The Threat to Sweden: Stars Risk Being Suspended
Photo: Adam Ihse/TT

A completely crucial match against England – then six Swedish stars risk being suspended.

In the European Championship qualifiers, just two warnings lead to a player missing the next match.

We can't afford to rest any players, if we do, we'll get a big setback, says goalkeeper Zecira Musovic ahead of the meeting with France.

When Sweden meets France away in Dijon on Friday in the second-to-last qualifying match for the European Championship in Switzerland 2025, six blue-yellow players stand on a warning in the group stage.

If one of these players receives another yellow card, they will face suspension against England at Gamla Ullevi on Tuesday next week. Due to the table situation and the fact that head-to-head matches decide in case of equal points, the England match in Gothenburg will be completely crucial for Sweden in the fight for a direct spot in the European Championship.

I thought I had experienced everything, but new things keep popping up, says national team coach Peter Gerhardsson about the strange fact that just two warnings lead to suspension.

"Nothing positive"

Gerhardsson admits that the situation gives headaches ahead of the team selection for the France match.

I can say that I'm thinking. I'll put it off a bit and then we'll see. It's not something that affects the first training sessions, but then I'll have to make a decision on how we'll do it. It's not something positive. Players also need to play to be in shape for England.

The offensive players Kosovare Asllani and Rosa Kafaji are two of the players who have a yellow card from before.

More worrying is that the other four warned players are the regular backline in the European Championship qualifiers – Jonna Andersson, Magdalena Eriksson, Linda Sembrant, and Hanna Lundkvist. The three first-named have started all four matches – Lundkvist has started three matches and came on away against Ireland when Nathalie Björn got injured.

As a player, you just have to keep playing, that part you shouldn't compromise on. Play your own game, but avoid stupid warnings and unnecessary yellow cards, says goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.

Risking a big setback

If there is competition for a starting spot on a position, this can play a role in the selection of the starting eleven against France, says Gerhardsson.

If there's a player who looks very fresh and who could do at least as good a job, it might be that we choose a player who doesn't have a warning. But I don't know. I sleep and then I wake up in the morning and get closer to a decision.

Zecira Musovic:

I don't know what I would have done as a coach. We want to win against France and have to put up the best team. We can't afford to rest any players, if we do, we'll get a big setback. I would have put up the best possible team.

The top two teams go directly to the European Championship in Switzerland 2025. The third and fourth teams are forced to play playoffs in the fall. To reach the European Championship via playoffs, two double wins are required.

The standings in Sweden's group after four out of six rounds:

  1. France, 9 points (+2 in goal difference), 2) Sweden, 7 points (+3), 3) England, 7 points (+2), 4) Ireland, 0 points (–7).

Remaining matches:

July 12: France–Sweden (9:20 pm, Dijon), England–Ireland (9:00 pm).

July 16: Sweden–England (7:00 pm, Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg), Ireland–France (7:00 pm).

If two or more teams end up with the same number of points, head-to-head matches decide. Sweden played 1–1 away against England and lost 0–1 at home against France.

If the number of points in head-to-head matches cannot separate the teams, the following criteria are used in order: a) goal difference, b) most goals scored in head-to-head matches, c) goal difference in the entire group stage, d) most goals scored in the group stage, e) most away goals scored in the group stage, f) most wins in the group stage, g) most away wins in the group stage, h) lowest number of disciplinary points (warnings/red cards), i) ranking on Uefa's Nations League ranking.

Source: Uefa

If a player receives a total of two warnings in the European Championship qualifiers, they will be suspended for the next match. The following players in the top three teams France, Sweden, and England in group A3 stand on a warning ahead of the second-to-last round:

Sweden: Magdalena Eriksson, Linda Sembrant, Hanna Lundkvist, Jonna Andersson, Kosovare Asllani, and Rosa Kafaji.

England: Jessica Carter, Ella Toone, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, and Chloe Kelly.

France: Amandine Henry, Maëlle Lakrar, and Kenza Dali. Selma Bacha stands on two warnings and is suspended against Sweden on Friday.

Places
People
Organisations
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Crushed Norway – after dream start and penalty
2 MIN READ

Crushed Norway – after dream start and penalty

England bounced back – won against Finland
1 MIN READ

England bounced back – won against Finland

Tomasson on Hien: "Devours attackers for breakfast"
3 MIN READ

Tomasson on Hien: "Devours attackers for breakfast"

The winning streak lives on – decided with seconds to spare
1 MIN READ

The winning streak lives on – decided with seconds to spare

Svensson's collapse – missed second win
1 MIN READ

Svensson's collapse – missed second win

New World Record in the Marathon: "It's My Dream"
1 MIN READ

New World Record in the Marathon: "It's My Dream"

The Talent Misses European Championship Meeting
1 MIN READ

The Talent Misses European Championship Meeting

Von Eckermann on the podium with new star horse
1 MIN READ

Von Eckermann on the podium with new star horse

The National Team Captain: "Sweden's Offense Impresses"
2 MIN READ

The National Team Captain: "Sweden's Offense Impresses"

Djokovic Missed Out on His 100th Title
1 MIN READ

Djokovic Missed Out on His 100th Title

Fined for filming: "A despicable behavior"
1 MIN READ

Fined for filming: "A despicable behavior"

Task: Apelgren confirmed as Solberg's replacement
1 MIN READ

Task: Apelgren confirmed as Solberg's replacement

Pochettino wins in USA debut
1 MIN READ

Pochettino wins in USA debut

After the Fatal Crash – Gaudreau Honored in Calgary
1 MIN READ

After the Fatal Crash – Gaudreau Honored in Calgary

Nylander scores two goals against Pittsburgh
1 MIN READ

Nylander scores two goals against Pittsburgh

After Two Wins – Denmark Lost to Spain
1 MIN READ

After Two Wins – Denmark Lost to Spain

The Nightmare – Defeat and the Captain Injured
2 MIN READ

The Nightmare – Defeat and the Captain Injured

Rögle leaves the bottom spot after the win against HV
2 MIN READ

Rögle leaves the bottom spot after the win against HV

Örebro wins the bottom battle – takes three points
2 MIN READ

Örebro wins the bottom battle – takes three points

Jesper Svensson in the lead ahead of the final round
2 MIN READ

Jesper Svensson in the lead ahead of the final round