Sweden storm to group victory in Women’s Euro, with 4-1 win over Germany

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Swedens Smilla Holmberg (right) celebrates scoring her teams second goal.

PHOTO: AFP

ZURICH - Sweden made the most of Germany defender Carlotta Wamser’s expulsion to sweep to a 4-1 win and secure top spot in their Group C clash on July 12, with their opponents also going through to the quarter-finals as runners-up.

The Swedes finished top of the group with a perfect nine points from three games and will take on the runners-up in Group D, which features France, England, Netherlands and Wales.

The Germans will face the winners of Group D.

The July 12 encounter was the first time the Germans conceded four goals at a Women’s Euro and the Swedes were good value for their win, punishing virtually every mistake the Germans made.

Germany got off to a flying start, slicing Sweden open through the middle as Wamser slid the ball into the path of Jule Brand, who managed to slip it past Jennifer Falk despite the Swedish keeper getting a touch.

The Swedes struck back within five minutes, striker Stina Blackstenius expertly timing her run behind the defence and latching on to Kosovare Asllani’s ball before flashing a shot past Ann-Katrin Berger to level.

Though the Germans looked dangerous every time they crossed the halfway line, it was the Swedes who took the lead through Smilla Holmberg in the 25th minute, the fullback marauding into the box before losing control and then steering an attempted clearance into the net from a tight angle.

Germany’s challenge fell apart in the 32nd minute when Wamser was shown a straight red card for a