Sweden Inflict Germany’s Heaviest Tournament Defeat In 34 Years At UEFA Women’s Euro

Sweden laid down a significant marker in their quest to win a first major title in four decades by defeating eight-time European champions Germany at the UEFA Women’s Euro.

It was the Scandianavians first-ever victory over Germany at the tournament, a team they had only defeated three times in fifteen previous competitive matches. It also extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to fifteen games, they last lost on this exact day a year ago.

Both Sweden and Germany went into the game having already qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Women’s Euro with a game to spare. The match between the two heavyweights of the women’s game would decide who would win Group C and possibly avoid France in the quarter-finals.

Sweden were the only team at the tournament who had not yet conceded a goal but that record lasted only seven minutes into their third match. Two of Germany’s stars of the competition, forward Lea Schüller and Jule Brand combined with Brand steering the ball cleverly past Jennifer Falk in the Swedish goal.

Germany looked set to once more overcome Sweden when it mattered, having defeated them in a World Cup final in 2001 and an Olympic Final in 2016. However, some naive defending allowed Sweden a way back into the match. Pushing up, Germany were exposed by a clever return pass from captain Kosovare Asllani. Striker Stina Blackstenius had time to run through unopposed and slot home an equaliser.

Thereafter Sweden surged at the Germans with pace and skill. They took the lead soon after when full back Smilla Holmberg deflected an attempted clearance over German full-back Ann-Katrin Berger.

Ten minutes later, the game was effectively decided ten minutes later when Carlotta Wamser, deputising for injured captain Giulia Gwinn, handled a goalbound shot and was sent off the field. Fridolina Rolfö converted the resulting penalty kick.

Ten minutes from the end, substitute Lina Hurtig, casually slotted home a fourth goal, left unmarked in the six-yard box after Germany’s ten players had been pulled apart. It was the first time Germany had conceded four goals in any game for a decade since losing 4-2 to Sweden at the 2015 Algarve Cup.

It was also Germany’s biggest defeat at a major tournament in 34 years since losing 4-0 to the same opponents in the Third Place Play-Off at the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Germany also lost 1-4 to Brazil in the 2008 Olympic Women’s Football semi-final. It is the first time ever that the team, the record eight-time winners of the UEFA Women’s Euro, have conceded four goals at the European Championship.

Sweden had earlier won against Denmark (1-0) and Poland (4-0). They last suffered defeat on July 12, 2024 against France in the UEFA Nations League. The French could be the Swedes next opponents if they lose their final group match against the Netherlands tomorrow.

More likely, Sweden will face defending European champions England in next week’s quarter-final. England were the team Sweden defeated over two legs in the first-ever women’s European Championship in 1984. It remains the only major international tournament won by Sweden.

Frequently the Swedes have been impressive in the early stages of tournaments only to fall at the final hurdle. Never more so than in the Tokyo Women’s Olympic Football Tournament when they thrashed the United States in the group stage only to lose the Gold Medal match on penalties to Canada.

Sweden were eliminated by England in the semi-final of the previous UEFA Women’s Euro, losing 4-0 in Sheffield. They also reached the semi-final of the last two FIFA Women’s World Cups. Tonight’s result however against a team that have frequently ended their tournament hopes, will give them renewed confidence that Sweden, the perennial bridesmaids of women’s international tournaments, will at last be the brides of this UEFA Women’s Euro.