It is only a few centimeters – if not millimeters – that prevent the Swedes from taking the lead in this quarter-finals of the European Championship in the 25th minute. The supposed goalscorer Stina Blackstenius is wafer-thin in the offside during a strongly played counterattack.
And if it’s not the centimeters, then Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard is on the spot. The keeper from Gent, who already convinced in the preliminary round, is having the game of her life. Time following time, the Swedes despair in front of the opposing box to Evrard.
Until the second minute of added time. Central defender Linda Sembrant shoots the number two in the world just before the end following a corner kick into luck! This time Evrard is powerless. Belgium’s EM fairy tale is over, Sweden is – in the end fully deserved – in the semi-finals. And meets hosts England there. (mou)