Sweden tight-lipped ahead of England Euro semis tonight

The Sweden women’s squad are remaining tight-lipped about the status of their players ahead of their Euro 2022 semifinal showdown with England in Sheffield today, with players instructed not to discuss injuries or illnesses with the media.

The Swedes have had a number of positive Covid-19 tests in the camp, with first-choice full backs Hannah Glas and Jonna Andersson missing the quarterfinal win over Belgium, and playmaker Kosovare Asllani missed training on Sunday as the Swedes finalised their preparations.

“I don’t want to comment on her (Asllani’s) status at all. (But) I believe she’ll be on the field on Tuesday,” assistant coach Magnus Wikman told reporters after the win over Belgium.

“We have been told not to answer such questions,” winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd told reporters. “I’m not going to comment on individual cases, but clearly you’d like to have the whole squad involved (in training).”

Ranked second in the world going in to the tournament, the Swedes are keen to put England in the spotlight.

“They are favourites, they’re at home and they have the pressure from outside,” said midfielder Filippa Angeldahl, who plays her club football for Manchester City in England’s Women’s Super League.

“Obviously, we have to take advantage of the fact that they have that pressure on them from the outside and have to win,” she added.

The other semi-final game will see Germany take on France tomorrow at the Stadium MK in Milton Keynes.

Germany have won eight of the 12 Women’s European Championships to date – yet did not come into this tournament as one of the favourites.

This has been the first Euros since 1997 in which Germany have not been defending champions, having seen the Netherlands take their crown five years ago. – Reuters