In a blockbuster clash, title holders Netherlands take on ambitious Sweden in the Group C fixture of the Women’s Euro 2022. Both the teams are facing each other in the third consecutive major competition.
The Dutch won their first piece of silverware in front of the home support in the previous edition while Sweden had to settle for a quarterfinal place defeated by the eventual winners. The Swedes have also failed to collect a win in the five meetings so far.
NED vs SWD Match Details:
Date: Saturday, 9th July 2022/ Sunday, 10th July 2022
Time: 20:00 (BST)/00:30 (IST)
Venue: Bramall Lane, Sheffield
NED vs SWD Match Preview:
Hosting a tournament and having the home support behind to carry the team to a first major trophy gave the Netherlands a special story to tell in 2017. The way they clinched the title was emphatic. Coming out of a tough group containing Denmark and Norway, the Dutch beat Sweden in the last eight before humbling England in the semifinal. The final itself was a spectacle with a six-goal thriller against Denmark ending in their favor having not lost a game in the entire tournament. It gave them huge confidence to create the momentum of their success in other competitions which rewarded them with a third-place finish in the last World Cup. While the Tokyo Olympics last year wasn’t at the same success rate, the Netherlands will be determined to have their best days again in
Euro 2022. If they want to retain the title they have to do it without a popular figure in Sarina Wiegman. The manager switched his role to England last year after delivering all these successes. Current coach Mark Patterson has the duty now to continue the legacy. The Dutch also have a familiar foe in Sweden, whom they have eliminated in 2017 & 2019 tournaments, to start their adventure in 2022. Top scorer Vivianne Miedema will lead the line for this formidable squad filled with enough winning experience and youth. The Netherlands are one of the top favorites to win it again although they had a bumpy pre-season.
Sweden have a lot to show in this tournament not bothering their disappointing record against the Dutch. Nevertheless, the Blue and Yellow Army have the chance to seek the ultimate revenge in their opening group game. Their incredible unbeaten record over the last two years should be a source of motivation. Since losing to Denmark in the 2020 Algarve Cup, Sweden are yet to lose a game. Victory over the USA in their run for the silver medal at the Olympics and the recent 3-1 win over Brazil in the pre-tournament friendly are signs of this team wanting to clear their stranglehold in this competition. Coach Peter Gerhardsson is desperate for his side to get the edge in this contest which they haven’t won since 1984. The criticism of the squad has been failing to produce their best in the decisive moment. Their recent form could help them to have a say in being the number one ranked European side at the tournament. This alone has made them one of the preferred teams to lift the title and end the drought. A win to start the tournament will be excellent giving them an additional boost ahead of facing Switzerland and Portugal. Whatever strategy the team takes under Gerhardsson, the Quarterfinal berth should be an easy one for this Swedish squad who are desperate to get into the final and possibly win it.
Recent Form
NED: WWLWW
SWD: WDWDW
NED vs SWD Team News
Netherlands have one or two players who need to undergo a fitness test but according to coach Mark Parsons, things look positive. The last training session will make the situation clear. The Dutch are in a position that they had hoped to be in a few weeks ago.
Coach Peter Gerhardsson confirms the news that star striker Stina Blackstenius will not start for Sweden after suffering an injury on the first day of training. However, Gerhardsson praises his medical team to make her available for the game at least to decide the number of minutes Blackstenius is set to be offered to get her up to speed.
Expected Lineups
NED: Van Veenendaal; Lynn Wilms, Aniek Nouwen, Van der Gragt, Dominique Janssen; Jackie Groenen, Van de Donk, Sherida Spitse; Jil Roord, Vivianne Miedema, Lieke Martens,
SWD: Hedvig Lindahl; Hanna Glas, Amanda Ilestedt, Magdalena Eriksson, Jonna Andersson; Filipa Angeldal, Kosovare Asllani, Caroline Seger; Fridolina Rolfo, Lina Hurtig, Johanna Kaneryd
NED vs SWD Head to Head
The Netherlands carry an unbeaten record with Sweden and have knocked them out in the 2017 Euros at the quarterfinal and beat them in the 2019 World Cup third-place match. They also haven’t conceded a single goal in the last three meetings.
NED vs SWD Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Lindahl (8.5)
DEF: Andersson (9), Eriksson (8.5), Van der Gragt (8.5), Glas (8.5),
MID: Roord (10), Van de Donk (8.5), Seger (9), Martens (9.5)
FW: Miedema (9.5), Rolfo (9)
Captain: Vivianne Miedema
Vice-Captain: Fridolina Rolfo
Jonna Andersson and Magdalena Eriksson ended with title success at Chelsea and will guard the defence for the same for Sweden
Jill Roord has scored 11 goals with Wolfsburg with another 11 for her nation in the Euros and World Cup qualification combined
Martens has reached 17 goals in her last season with Barcelona and contributed to four goals in the last Euros
With 10 goals in last year’s Olympics and 9 goals in the Euro qualification, Miedema is the automatic choice in attack. She has racked up 14 goals for Arsenal in the past season.
