Sweden W vs Belgium W prediction: EUROPE: Euro Women – Play Offs betting tips on match 2022-07-21 19:00.
Sweden’s thumping 5-0 victory over Portugal in their final UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 group stage matchday sealed top spot in Group C, making it eight straight knockout appearances across as many consecutive entries dating all the way back to 1995 for the Swedes. Yet, with only one success at the quarter-final stage across the previous three editions, Sweden will take nothing for granted.
Curiously, it was on English soil that the Blågult last reached the semi-finals in a foreign locale, back in 2005. If they are to repeat that feat, or even go on to win a first Euro tournament since the inaugural 1984 edition, then strong early defensive showings – as reflected by the four straight first-half clean sheets they’ve managed prior to this match – will need to be a theme that’s continued.
Opponents Belgium have made the Euro knockout stages at the second time of asking, after sneaking a 1-0 win over Italy to take the runners-up spot in Group D, subsequently vanquishing sour memories of their early 2017 exit. Belgium head coach Ives Serneels was suitably thrilled with his nation’s progress, labelling the tournament as an “important experience”.
In the wake of Belgium’s 13th straight goalscoring Euro match (including qualifiers), Serneels also added that the tournament would help Belgium “grow for the future”. There is certainly room for short-term growth though, as that win marks their only shutout in eight games, adding unwanted backing to a poor H2H record (L4), ahead of their first clash with Sweden since October 2009.
Players to watch: Filippa Angeldahl’s (SWE) last outing here at Leigh Sports Village was certainly memorable, with the Manchester City midfielder netting a first-half double against Portugal. Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Tine De Caigny, won it for Belgium last time out, and she has now seen four of her last six international goals act as match openers.
Hot stat: June 2001 marks the last time Sweden lost any Euro finals match after netting first.