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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Tom Garry in Geneva

How Sweden became a progressive powerhouse of women’s football

Stina Blackstenius (left) jumps for joy after Fridolina Rolfö scores from the spot in Sweden’s 4-1 win against Germany in Group C
Stina Blackstenius (left) jumps for joy after Fridolina Rolfö scores from the spot in Sweden’s 4-1 win against Germany in Group C. Photograph: Ludvig Thunman/Bildbyrån/Shutterstock

For a nation with a population of 10 million, with a men’s national side that failed to quality for three of the past four World Cups, Sweden have a track record in women’s football that belongs to a sporting superpower.

Sweden finished third at three of the past four Women’s World Cups and are five-time World Cup semi-finalists. They also claimed the silver medal at the Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo Olympics. In Europe, their success is even more consistent and they stand one win from a 10th European semi-final when they meet England in Zurich on Thursday. Their men’s national side has not reached a world or European semi-final for more than 30 years.

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