Sweden defender Magdalena Eriksson backs England for Women’s Euros glory after semi-final rout

Tearful Sweden defender Magdalena Eriksson talked up England’s chances of beating Germany or France in the Women’s Euro 2022 final at Wembley and said: “They are absolutely in a flow at the moment.”

Sweden were thrashed on an historic night at Bramall Lane and Chelsea player Eriksson believes Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses can go all the way and lift the trophy on Sunday.

“They are playing like a team, which is really impressive,” said Eriksson. “They are absolutely in a flow at the moment, you can tell. Things are going their way.

“They definitely have chances of going all the way. The final is going to be a really good final because they play really good football.”

Sweden, the second highest-ranked team in the world behind only the United States, dominated the opening half an hour last night but spurned several chances before being blown away by England.

In Pictures | Women’s Euro 2022 (Semi-Final): England vs Sweden - Lionesses celebrate victory

“There is a lot of emotions at the moment, an extreme disappointment,” said Eriksson afterwards. “I am very disappointed.

“It is a tough one to take because I started the game really strongly and we could have been 1-0 or 2-0 up after 20 minutes. When you do not score and take your chances when you have momentum, it is tough.”

Eriksson felt the timing of England’s second goal through Lucy Bronze just after half-time was pivotal.

“It just became too much of a challenge for us when it became 2-0,” she said. “What frustrates me so much is that in that first 30 minutes we did everything we spoke about doing.”

Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson said: "First 25 minutes, I thought we had enough chances, the most dangerous chances to score. Goals are really important. The greater the opponent, the more important. It would have given the game a different outlook.”