–
North Macedonia against Sweden was a stalemate in Skopje. A strong Swedish start meant that the moody home crowd made themselves heard, it sounded different when the home team collected two balls for shared points. All in all 20–20 – Sweden still below the playoff mark.
Defensive weight, duel play and drama were on the agenda during the WC showdown over 60 minutes.
It was 19-19 with 45 seconds left, when Sweden, with the greatest need for two points, took a timeout. Emma Mihailovic took responsibility and the finish found its way through the goalkeeper. However, North Macedonia were given the chance to plan their final attack in peace and the ball hit the net from a wing position.
Sweden did a lot right, for example in the outreach defense which was a road-winning ingredient from the start. Technical errors and losing the ball meant nerves in the opponent. Unfortunately, blue and yellow also wasted several opportunities to take the lead and North Macedonia was the first to score after three minutes.
The national team responded quickly and went on the offensive as before in the tournament. Stina Wiksfors created areas on the line, Stella Huselius slipped through and Felicia Norsten Vikström’s feint paid dividends. After 6–2 in the tenth minute of the match, North Macedonia took a logical time-out and blocked the back better.
The attacking problems took longer for the home team to get around, Sweden faced whistles during their attacks, but of course it was North Macedonia who played with the big emotional barrages in Skopje.
The goal difference was unchanged with just over 20 minutes played, then North Macedonia found effective shooting for the first time in the match and stressed Sweden into mistakes. 1-7 in behind goals until the break, the event turned to the U18 ladies’ disadvantage and North Macedonia was able to step off in victory.
Sweden plucked up courage in the underdog situation and brought out their best defensive collaborations immediately after the break. It was closed centrally and the defensive line handled the footwork all over the line past the equaliser, and Huselius’ lead goal (13–12). North Macedonia’s first goal in the second half meant 13 equals after just over 40 minutes.
Every finish and duel meant something in the tight match picture, the goalkeeping match between Line Bergfeldt and Marija Jovanovska became increasingly important.
Wiksfor’s line position with ten minutes remaining gave some respite in the two-goal lead. Despite a slight dent in the disc, Sweden was in command but once again had to drop to an equalizing 19 equal.
The end of the match is familiar and complicated for Sweden’s quarter-final chances.
The U18 national team itself needs to fire up against Iran (Friday 18.30) and then keep their fingers crossed for Iceland against North Macedonia (20.30) if advancement is to happen. Sweden starts the last match in the main round two points and 17 goals behind North Macedonia.
U18 WC, group I
North Macedonia–Sweden 20–20 (12–10)
Goal scorers, Sweden: Emma Mihailovic 5, Stella Huselius 4, Stina Wiksfors 3, Felicia Norsten Vikström 3, Thea Kylberg 2, Sol Karlsson, Tindra Carlsson & Felicia Granat alla 1.
Island–Iran 28–17 (17–10)
The table: Iceland 4p, North Macedonia 3p, Sweden 1p, Iran 0p.
–
