Euros Preview: Sweden

Above: Sweden lines up for a team photo. Image: Svensk Fotboll (Facebook).

By Aimee-Lou Caldecourt (24/6/25).

This is a side with some incredible talent which should not be overlooked for a second. With only two appearances at the Euros where they haven’t qualified for at least the semi-finals, Sweden will be looking to go all the way, with momentum from the Nations League to spur them on in Switzerland.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Tove Enblom (Valerenga), Jennifer Falk (BK Hacken), Emma Holmgren (Levante).

Defenders: Jonna Anderson (Linkoping), Nathalie Bjorn (Chelsea), Magdalena Erikkson (Bayern Munich), Smilla Holmberg (Hammarby), Amanda Ilestedt (Unattached), Hanna Lundkvist (San Diego Wave), Amanda Nilden (Tottenham Hotspur), Linda Sembrant (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Filippa Angeldahl (Real Madrid), Hanna Bennison (Juventus), Sofia Jakobsson (London City Lionesses), Madelen Janogy (Fiorentina), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea), Julia Zigiotti Olme (Bayern Munich).

Forwards: Kosovare Asllani (London City Lionesses), Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal), Rebecka Blomqvist (Eintracht Frankfurt), Lina Hurtig (Unattached), Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona), Ellen Wangerheim (Hammarby).

Head Coach:

**Above:** Peter Gerhardsson speaking at a media conference. **Image:** PA Images.

Peter Gerhardsson will take charge of his final tournament as head coach of the
Swedish national team this summer after being appointed back in 2017. He most recently led the team to a 3rd place finish at the 2023 World Cup as well as progression to the semi-final stages of the Nations League. He has transferred his success in men’s coaching into the women’s game.

Euros History:

Sweden were the first ever European Champions back in 1984 after defeating
England over two legs. The Euros are the most historically successful for Sweden as they’ve qualified for the knockout stages for every tournament they have competed in, finishing runners-up on three occasions, and semi-finalists an additional four times.

How they qualified:

Sweden finished 3rd in Group A3 behind France and England and advanced to the
play-offs to secure their spot. They went on to play Luxembourg in the first round,
winning 12-0 on aggregate and saw off Serbia 8-0 on aggregate to qualify for the
final tournament.

Strengths:

This Sweden side has so many recognisable figures each with their own incredible footballing background who are eager and ready to fight at this Euro tournament. They have a lot of recognisable names who have been key players for their clubs throughout the season and they are more than ready to have a very competitive competition.

Development Areas:

Perhaps from all this pressure they have succumbed, therefore not going all the way to a final in quite a few years. Perhaps this is due to their usual ‘one to watch’ status that they are normally given at the start of each major tournament.

Key Players:

**Above:** Stina Blackstenius will be a key figure for Sweden this Euros, as she was for Arsenal last season. Image: Arsenal FC.

After scoring the deciding goal at the Champions League final in Lisbon recently, Stina Blackstenius will be thirsty for some more international goals in this tournament. She was a massive part in the Arsenal side who secured the trophy for the first time in 18 years and is not looking to put an end to the run of form she has been in currently.

A crucial part of the London City Lionesses side who have just gained promotion to the WSL for the 25/26 season, Kosovare Asllani is known for her versatility on the pitch. She is a gifted player who can provide goals and assists when needed and an eye for playmaking in the midfield as well.

One to watch:

**Above:** Hanna Bennison, a promising young talent ready to take Europe by storm. **Image:** UEFA.

A solid midfielder who is making a name for herself in Serie A after her move to
Juventus last year, Hanna Bennison is a huge talent to keep an eye on. She has been part of the Sweden set up since she was 18. She really fits in Gerhardsson’s philosophy as a coach, and one should expect a real masterclass in midfield when she is on the pitch.

Success would be:

For this Sweden side, one should expect them to qualify for the knockouts and
potentially push for semi-finals and even the final. However, making it to the
knockouts would be a continuation of the incredible history this side has in this
particular competition, so success would be a real challenge for the title.