For the first time in ten years, Sweden is qualified for the F17 European Championship, which this year will be played in Estonia. It was a tough match against France in the opening game in Tartu.
However, Sweden resisted well and at half-time the score was still 0–0. In the second, the French switched up and in the 55th minute Liana Joseph turned away two Swedish defenders and ran through.
The finish was safely 1–0 for France. Joseph is described as a confident goalscorer, something that is supported by the goal harvest in the European Championship qualifiers when she scored eight.
"It's very much alive"
France added on both once and twice and the game ended 3–0 to the French after a seemingly easy goal with quarter of an hour remaining, which had to close the scoring.
"We faced a better team today, they have a lot of skilled players who play at a high level. Sour loss, but instructive, says Sweden's head coach Lotta Hellenberg to the federation's website.
Sweden got a tough draw and on Wednesday awaits the second game, against England.
"It's just a matter of reloading for the next game, it's very much alive for the next two games against England and Poland. Now we have to gather strength and make as good a match as possible against England, says Hellenberg.