Sheffield. Well-stocked stands, thousands of supporters sing blue and yellow with hints of orange.
What is the opening match of the tournament?
It can be really cool…or even good.
Impressions after 36 minutes against Holland: Control and comfort – a lot of hope.
Jonah Anderson had rolled 1-0, and the blue and yellow players stood together in a ring in front of one short side of Bramall Lane.
Captain Caroline Seeger, who had put her arm around Kosovar Aslani, gave her teammate a quick kiss on the cheek. The latter definitely deserves all the love even after the final mention.
Saturday’s group stage meeting was undoubtedly the entirety of the European Championship. The title holder against the second in the world rankings that always seems to end there (or third). Given that Holland crushed Sweden’s dreams in both 2019 and 2017, there was a prestige to be gained from the well-packed stands.
As the clock turned for 90 minutes, the fatigue of both teams was palpable. The league leaders made offensive changes, and wanted to bring out the last game that could be considered entertaining to watch in general.
If the end result is 1-1 fair? likely.
fuck us
It must be said that Peter Gerhardson partially cheated the press corps the day before the premiere.
Fyrbackslinje? Trebacksline?
Joanna Ritting Canried? Lena Hurtig or Rebecca Blomqvist?
The solution was different. At first glance, Kosovar Aslan appeared to be interfering as a liar nine, like the meeting with Ireland in April. Instead, Hurtig maintained his central position while Aslani and Fridolina Rulfo both turned inward on the field.
It has caused quite a few problems for the Netherlands. On the one hand, Jackie Groen and Sherida Spitsy avoided pushing too high, leaving the Swede free in the middle of the track. He favored the back line with Magdalena Eriksson, Nathalie Björn and Amanda Ilestedt whose passing options became more numerous.
The Rulfo and Aslani locations have also opened up the ledges for Jonah Anderson and Hannah Glass. That the mixed game, which actually seemed rather sluggish at first, suddenly floated better during the latter part of the first half was connected to the flankers starting to use edges.
At one point, Aslani picked up the ball to the right, got an assist from Glass and tore Rulfo and then resounded 1-0 behind goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal. The shot landed just outside but it was an indication that Sweden had intervened.
The back line may lack speed but…
The Netherlands was not overly threatening and Vivian Miedema sank more frustrated to get more involved in the game. Twice in the first 45 times, the striker managed to get the ball straight, one of which gave Daniel van de Donk the chance in a dangerous situation but without being able to hold the finish.
Mark Parsons, the Englishman in the pass but now captain of the Dutch national team, first saw his captain van Veenendaal step down after a collision, and shortly thereafter also Ericsson’s Chelsea team-mate, Annick Nouen.
His backline may lack speed, but the key ran there in the offensive half of the field with his shoulders raised and his back slightly bent.
Midema is one of the best players in the world, and he can’t be kept in check for long. About ten minutes into the second half, the Dutchman completely knocked out Amanda Elistest, and she sped away – turn right! – Forward on the field and saw Rulfo shoot the ball at a straight angle at Jill Rudd’s anxious feet.
1–1. The orange wave came to life.
Promising, exciting, totally fine
This opening match didn’t sweep us as far as the USA meeting in Tokyo last summer, and it was probably the most important effort for the Swedes ever. On the other hand, as Seeger himself says, the European Championship in England 2022 is probably the hardest tournament ever to be won.
When the audience applauded in time with Aslani’s last corner of the match, two positive things could have been mentioned:
Sweden’s bid meant that Gerhardson, like favorite England on his premiere, could make a three-way change that didn’t shake offensive quality in the least (giving Stina Blackstenius twenty minutes was too important for the sequel).
In addition, the group could still win – it is likely – that they have an easier way to reach the final at Wembley.
Impressions after 90 minutes? Promising and exciting – perfectly fine.
