The Swedish goalkeeper Jennifer Falk experienced a dramatic evening on Thursday at the European Women’s Football Championship. In the bizarre penalty shootout against England, she saved several penalties, but her own penalty flew high over the goal. As a result, Sweden missed out on the semi-finals.
After saving four penalties, the 32-year-old Falk seemed to become the hero of the evening, until she stood behind the ball herself for the fifth and decisive penalty. The goalkeeper shot over the goal, face to face with English goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
“It wasn’t my own choice to take that penalty,” a shaken Falk told the NOS afterwards. “The national coach asked if I wanted to take it and I said yes. I was a little nervous, but still felt okay.”
Falk tried to control her nerves, but didn’t succeed. “I was surprised that I shot it so high over. I think my legs were more nervous than my head.”
At the Swedish TV channel SVT, Falk elaborated on the situation. “When I stood there, I thought: just take a deep breath and shoot to the left, but I didn’t. I don’t really know what else to say. This is very difficult.”
For the Swedish national coach Peter Gerhardsson, the quarter-final against England was his last match. The 65-year-old Gerhardsson has been at the helm of the Swedish team since 2017 and is leaving after eight years. “This is not my desired farewell, but that’s just football,” he said. “It is unpredictable and full of emotions. You have to accept that.”