On Friday, the Swedish national team beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0 away from home in the first play-off meeting for continued play in the Nations League’s A division, which is important in order to have an easier path to the European Championship finals in Switzerland in 2025. Thus, Blågult had a good position for Wednesday night’s return at Tele2 Arena in Stockholm.
Sweden’s national team captain Peter Gerhardsson made six changes to his starting eleven this evening compared to the first play off meeting, when Zecira Musovic, Josefine Rybrink, Amanda Nildén, Matilda Vinberg, Hanna Bennison and Anna Anvegård got the chance from the start – and were close to getting dividend immediately.
Stina Blackstenius ran early to a good position, but failed to put the ball in the net. Instead, Sweden had to celebrate in the 26th minute. Matilda Vinberg then met a low free kick into the penalty area, and made it 1-0. It was her first national team goal.
Blackstenius also later got revenge for her miss in the 44th minute, when she got to a good position and put in 2-0. Shortly thereafter, Rosa Kafaji also dribbled forward and made it 3-0, and had to celebrate her first goal in Blue and Yellow.
– It was really, really nice. It’s something I’ve really been longing for. It’s nice that the training gives results, says Rosa Kafaji to TV4.
Sweden eventually won 5-0 – after two late goals Filippa Angeldahl and Pauline Hammarlund signed. Thus, Sweden gets to play on in the A-division, and now has a slightly easier path to next year’s EC playoffs.
– It was fun. We have played these two games in completely different ways, but with good results. We are happy with the result, says Blackstenius to TV4 and continues:
– It means a lot to us to remain in the highest Nations League group and it gives us better conditions for the European Championship qualifiers to come. These matches were important for us, while we got some revenge for the fall.
Blackstenius is also happy that she got to score.
– Very nice, after in my opinion two pretty good positions, so it was nice to be able to put it there.
National team colleague Johanna Rytting Kaneryd:
– It was important to win and it was fun that we scored many goals in front of our incredible crowd, so it’s a nice feeling, she tells TV4.
Startelvor:
Sweden: Musovic – Rybrink, Björn, Nildén – Vinberg, Bennison, Angeldahl, Janogy – Anvegård, Blackstenius, Kafaji.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Hasanbegovic – Sabanagic, Hasanbegovic, Milinkovic, Sliskovic – Aleksic, Nikolic, Spasojevic – Krso, Jelcic, Gacanica.
