Peter’s plan has got to be perfect
SWEDEN head coach Peter Gerhardsson admits he may need to conjure an extra special game plan after setting up a semi-final showdown with England.
The tournament’s highest-ranked team will take on the Lionesses on Tuesday having been reliant on a last-gasp winner for Friday’s unconvincing 1-0 victory over Belgium.
“We’re going to have a plan,” said Gerhardsson.
“I don’t know right now what we’re going to make up but I can assure that we’re going to have a plan – and we need a good plan, we need a very good plan, and maybe an extremely, very good plan.
“It’s a really good team. It’s going to be an interesting challenge.”
Sweden were only spared extra-time against the persistent Belgians after defender Linda Sembrant struck two minutes into added time at Leigh Sports Village.
The 1984 European champions, who had a first-half Stina Blackstenius goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review, dominated the game but squandered a host of chances before releasing a mixture of relief and jubilation at full-time.
Sweden’s Magdalena Eriksson conceded a nervy evening had been a severe mental challenge.
And the Chelsea defender – one of eight WSL players in the squad – knows her side must swiftly recover physically having been given two days fewer than England to prepare for the crunch clash at Bramall Lane.
“I know all the players they have, they are extremely talented so we’re going to have to be really on it,” she said.
“Now it’s about recovering, getting fresh again and then taking them on.
“It’s going to be an extremely tough game for us. England have been amazing so far in the tournament.”