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BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
'Something different' about Sweden, but Germany 'won't destruct'
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd says Sweden can go "the whole way" at Euro 2025 because "there is something different" about this thumping 4-1 win over Germany was a statement victory for Peter Gerhardsson's side, who claimed top spot in Group C ahead of the eight-time won the inaugural Women's European Championship in 1984 but have never lifted the trophy since - finishing runners-up on three occasions and last doing so in has been a recent tale of 'always the bridesmaid, never the bride', but this could be the year they finally shake off that tag after winning all three group matches, scoring eight goals and conceding just one."Of course we always want to win," said Sweden's Chelsea midfielder Rytting Kaneryd. "We always want to do better."We know we have been doing good in tournaments before, but we also know we haven't gone the whole way."I have a really good feeling. You can see that in the squad there is something different this year and we always believe."We want to reach the final and with that being said we need to take every game for what it is. We can't look too much ahead. It's going to be a challenge but we are ready."While they turned in an impressive display for a first success in seven meetings against Germany at a Euros, Sweden were also lifted to victory by a sea of 2,500 supporters in blue and yellow, who did not stop singing players celebrated and danced to music with their fans afterwards, which was a special moment for Rytting Kaneryd."I couldn't dream about more," said the 28-year-old. "This is incredible. I can't really explain the feeling."After the game you see all those yellow shirts, so many. We never thought it would be as big as it is. It's a really good sign that we have the support from Sweden." 'If we meet England, we are going to write a better history' Gerhardsson has been in charge of Sweden since 2017 but is set to step down after Euro winners of Group C, his side will face the runner-up of Group D and will know their quarter-final opponents after the conclusion of England's tie with Wales and Netherlands against France on Sunday (both 20:00 BST kick-offs).The 65-year-old led Sweden to the semi-finals of Euro 2022, where they were beaten 4-0 by eventual winners Gerhardsson said he is "not a dreamer", if he is to bow out with one last hurrah in Switzerland, his side will exact revenge if they land England in the last eight."That was a special game," he recalled of their previous encounter at Bramall Lane. "Now we have other players, they have other players."It didn't go well for us because they scored four goals, but that is history. Now it is a new game if we are going to meet England. We are going to write a new history, a better history, a good history." Germany aim to 'shake off' heavy loss Germany were backed as one of the pre-tournament favourites by many, but have been unconvincing so far in beat Poland and Denmark 2-0 and 2-1 respectively, but struggled to convert their dominance into goals and showed they were vulnerable in final Group C game against Sweden was always going to be the toughest test, and boss Christian Wuck repeatedly spoke of their desire to finish in top didn't go to plan, especially when they went down to 10 players from the 31st minute after full-back Carlotta Wamser was sent off for a deliberate handball to prevent a is hoping the loss - Germany's heaviest at a Euros - is nothing more than a slight setback."It is different than we imagined," he said of finishing second in the standings and a potential meeting with Group D leaders France in the last eight."We wanted to be first in the group, we wanted to be in place number one. Now we have to analyse that with the players."We will shake that off and be very happy to play the quarter-finals whoever that is, the English, the French or whatever."It would be wrong now to say we want to react and destruct. This is not in the team. We are not a team that wants to destruct."
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Blackstenius hits top form as Sweden win Women's Euro group
July 12 (Reuters) - Sweden's Stina Blackstenius has timed the peak of her goal-scoring form perfectly, netting the winner for her club Arsenal in the recent Champions League final and then scoring against Poland and Germany as her side blazed their way into the quarter-finals at the Women's Euros as Group C winners. The Swedes beat Germany 4-1 to rack up a perfect nine points from their three games, and they will face the runner-up in Group D, which features England, France, Netherlands and Wales, while the Germans will meet the winners of that group. "I'm very happy that I've gained the confidence to play and I am happy with the goal that we got here today, but mainly because of the win today and that we are still in the tournament," a beaming Blackstenius told reporters. Despite playing her club football in England, Blackstenius said she had not thought about who Sweden might meet in the quarter-finals. "I don't want to stand here and say that I prefer any of the teams -- it's an incredibly good team, no matter who we face, so it will be very exciting to see how it ends (in Group D) tomorrow, and then we will continue to prepare ourselves, regardless of which team we play against," she said. The two teams also enjoyed enormous support, with a yellow wall of Swedish fans behind one of the goals that sang and drummed from beginning to end, building a big-game atmosphere. "I enjoy being at championships. It's something extra to experience. There's something with these games that makes it extra special," Blackstenius said. "When I look up at our fans today, I think they're very visible, and it also gives a feeling that we're doing this together. There's a lot that drives me in the whole set-up, with all the support and knowing that there are family and friends here."
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Sporting Lisbon president rips into wantaway Viktor Gyokeres and promises disciplinary action - as £70m Arsenal target goes on strike
Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas has confirmed that Viktor Gyokeres will face disciplinary action after going on strike amid strong interest from Arsenal. Gyokeres, 27, failed to report for the club's pre-season training this week, despite Sporting having granted him an extended summer break until Saturday, July 12. That patience has now run out, with Varandas vowing to hand the in-demand a 'hefty fine'. Gyokeres is thought to have agreed pre-contract terms with Arsenal, with the only remaining stumbling block in the way of a move to north London being his transfer fee. The Gunners are yet to meet Sporting's firm £69m valuation - but Varandas' recent comments show that there are no signs of desperation from the Portuguese club. 'We're calm. Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a hefty fine and an apology to the group,' he told Portuguese news agency Lusa. 'If they don't want to pay Viktor's fair market value, we'll be very comfortable with that for the next three years. 'If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to make it easier for him to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they are also making it more complicated for the player to leave. 'No one is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are.' Gyokeres scored a staggering 54 goals for Sporting last term across all competitions, and is rated as one of the most prolific forwards in Europe. The former Coventry City and Brighton striker currently has three years still remaining on his contract with the Portuguese giants, though it appears unlikely in the extreme that he will be seeing out those terms as things stand. Since making a £20m switch from Coventry to Sporting in 2023, Gyokeres has gone on a remarkable scoring spree in Portugal, netting 97 times in just 102 appearances across two seasons. Gyokeres scored 43 goals for Coventry in his two and a half seasons, but never got to suit up in the Premier League for Brighton. He has previously spoke of his desire to return to the English top flight, to get revenge for his empty spell with the Seagulls. 'It's one of the biggest leagues in Europe,' Gyokeres said. 'I spent several years there without being able to play a single match. 'So, of course, it's something I would like to do. It would be a great revenge.'
