Sweden was crowned group winner at the European Women’s Football Championship in Switzerland on Saturday. The Scandinavians won in Zurich against Germany, who were already certain of a quarter-final spot: 4-1. Debutant Poland recorded their first European Championship victory ever.
Germany needed to win against Sweden to become group winner and started well. Jule Brand was the final station of a lightning counter: 1-0. Sweden did not take long to recover the damage. Stina Blackstenius decisively shot the equalizer against the ropes in a counterattack.
Smilia Holmberg put Sweden ahead with some fortune after poor intervention by defender Sarai Linder. To make matters worse for Germany, Carlotta Wamser was sent off shortly afterwards for a handball. She prevented a Swedish goal with a handball. Fridolina Rolfo then converted the penalty.
Shortly before time, Lina Hurting provided the final chord on behalf of Sweden, who will play against the number two of group D in the quarter-finals. Currently, title defender England occupies the second place in the group of Oranje.
Number two Germany will face the winner of group D in the quarter-finals. France has the best papers to win that group. Netherlands-France and England-Wales are on the program on Sunday.
In the other group match, Poland recorded a historic 3-2 victory over Denmark in Lucerne. Natalia Padilla scored Poland’s first ever European Championship goal, after which Ewa Pajor and Martyna Wiankowska also scored. Denmark did not get further than goals from Janni Thomsen and Signe Bruun.