6 hours ago
6
Sweden opened their Euro 2025 campaign with a diligent 1-0 win over Denmark in Geneva. Filippa Angeldahl scored the only goal in the game to give Peter Gerhardsson’s side an early advantage in Group C.
It took one moment of carefully crafted play from two of Sweden’s seasoned stars to finally unlock the hard-working Denmark defence early in the second half. Angeldahl had looked the most likely to find the breakthrough as she grew in influence. Her well-timed one-two with Kosovare Asllani and the finish that followed was an example of how creative this Sweden team can be when they put their minds to it.
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride – that is the slightly unfortunate tagline that has followed this team around in the latter part of Gerhardsson’s tenure. An Olympic silver and two World Cup bronze medals have marked significant progress under his leadership but, all too often, they have failed to find that extra percent. This tournament represents the last opportunity for him and several members of his squad to win their first European trophy in 41 years.
The 65-year-old oversees a highly experienced side that certainly has the quality on paper to go better than Euro 2022 where they got knocked out in the semi-final by England. Asllani, their leader at the heart it all, was making her 200th international appearance in Geneva, a feat only previously achieved by Caroline Seger and Therese Sjögran.
Sweden’s impressive form – they unbeaten since July 2024 – certainly suggests that they could once again mount a challenge. They will have been full of confidence coming into this opener with close rivals Denmark. These two are very familiar with one another, having played twice in this year’s Nations League campaign. Sweden won both fixtures and humbled Denmark with a 6-1 victory in their last outing in June. Gerhardsson made just one change from that encounter with Madelen Janogy coming into attack in place of Fridolina Rolfö who is still lacking fitness after picking up an ankle injury.
It had been a chastening experience for the Danes and Andrée Jeglertz with Sweden constantly exploiting the space in behind their defence. This is the first and last major tournament for a manager whose appointment as Manchester City head coach after this campaign was strangely announced on the eve of their opener. He made two changes to the side that had capitulated in Solna. The 24-year-old defender Emma Færge made her Euro debut while Karen Holmgaard slotted into midfield after winning her fitness race.
The Stade de Genève proved a stunning location for this encounter. Sweden’s travelling support– known as the Soft Hooligans – made themselves heard behind one goal, decked in yellow and singing renditions of ABBA-based chants.
The intensity of the play caught the eye from the first whistle with both sides exerting plenty of energy in an end-to-end display that was particularly admirable given the current heatwave in Switzerland. Both sides were finding joy down their right sides with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Frederikke Thogersen constant thorns in the side of the full-backs.
after newsletter promotion
Sweden were controlling the play without creating all that much when faced by some much-improved Denmark defending. Angeldahl was a threat, however, and created the best opportunities of the first half. An early driven shot was blocked before she stung the gloves of Maja Bay Østergaard with a sweetly struck free kick just before the break.
It was, therefore, of little surprise that it was the 27-year-old who struck 10 minutes after the restart. It was the spark Sweden needed as a succession of chances followed. Stina Blackstenius had a shot cleared of the line before Janogy sent an unmarked header wide.
Their inability to extend their lead, however, gave a tiring Denmark hope of finding a leveller. A moment of magic from Pernille Harder almost salvaged an all-important point but her curling effort crashed off the woodwork leaving the captain with her head in her hands.
