Classy Sweden outplay Germans to meet Netherlands in semi-finals

Germany 1 : 2 Sweden

Sofia Jakobsson (22′) and Stina Blackstenius (48′) scored the goals that gave Sweden a deserved though come behind win over Germany in Rennes after Lina Magull had given the Germans an early lead.

Those two especially were a consistent thorn in Germany’s side with Blackstenius’ off ball running being a class beyond excellent.

This quarter-final clash in Rennes was a repeat of the 2003 final, which Germany won with a golden goal.

Sweden showed their offensive threat early on.

Jakobsson hit Almuth Schult’s legs with a fine chance early on. It was a wasted chance they’d come to regret, and soon. Nor was it the last time she did that with only the keeper to beat, something they will surely work on before they get to Lyon.

It looked at one point her profligacy would cost the Swedes more than it eventually did.

On the quarter hour mark of the quarter-final, Sara Däbritz fed Lina Magull who was well onside despite Swedish protests. She finished somewhat spectacularly to give Germany the lead. It came after a poor headed giveaway though, and Sweden had only themselves to blame.

They replied immediately.

Three minutes later, Marina Hegering missed a defensive header to no more than a hopeful punt up-field by Linda Sembrant. and Jakobsson finished cooly for the equaliser.

Dzsenifer Marozsán replaced Linda Dallmann at half time, but she only enjoyed her side being level for three minutes.

On 48′ Sweden took the lead. Stina Blackstenius reacted first after a Fridolino Rolfo header was palmed out by Schult from Jakobsson’s cross.

Sweden looked generally comfortable defending deeply until Magull headed Germany’s best chance to equalise over in stoppage time.

It was too high and too late. Sweden saw the game out and deservedly progress to a semi-final match up in Lyon with the Netherlands.