Women's Euro 2022: England-Sweden, an appointment with History

On the one hand, England, in search of a first title.

On the other, Sweden, in search of recognition.

This Tuesday in Sheffield, the first semi-final of Euro 2022 promises an enticing duel between two major nations of current women's football.

In seven previous encounters, England have won only once, for Sweden winning five and drawing one.

On their land, despite a record group stage in offensive and defensive efficiency (14 goals scored, none conceded in three games), the Lionesses will have to be wary of the Yellows and Blues.

Defined as an outsider among the favorites, Sweden nevertheless has the weapons to shake the organizing nation.

Jessica Houara-d'Hommeaux felt it at the end of the first group match: "I really like this Swedish team, it is not talked about much, it is often not mentioned as one of the favorites, but it always responds in major competitions.

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Two selections at the top of their football

Sweden indeed presents an appreciable CV in big competition.

Winners of the Euro during the first edition in 1984 (against… England!), Peter Gerhardsson's players have been gaining momentum in recent years.

Third in the 2019 World Cup in France, finalists at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, they are in 2nd place in the Fifa nations ranking.

Qualified after additional time in the quarter-finals against Belgium, this athletic and complete team is maturing.

It is worn by many players playing in the biggest European clubs.

She relies, in particular, on her captain Kosovare Asllani (AC Milan) or the most capped player in the history of her selection Caroline Seger…

For its part, England boasts of having the most possession of the ball on average (58%) among the teams still in contention.

She is not without assets either.

The first is embodied by Sarina Wiegman, undefeated in 18 games on the English bench.

Former coach of the Netherlands during the coronation at Euro 2017, the Dutchman stood out for her cheeky but winning coaching in the quarter-finals, when England was mistreated by Spain.

She has in her ranks the unexpected top scorer of the tournament Beth Mead, well assisted by Elle White, the finest trigger in the history of the selection and the restless Lauren Hemp.

Benefiting from two additional days of rest, the semi-finalists in 2017 intend, finally, to cross the milestone of the semi-finals and then write the first line of their prize list.