Sweden 4 Denmark 1

Sunday, September 30, 2001

Sweden beat Denmark 4-1 (1-1) in the replay of this summer´s European Championships semifinal. Sweden played extremely well in the match in front of a nearly sold out stadium in Malmö (5,907) on Sunday September 30th and could have been in a 3-0 lead within the first 30 minutes.

Denmark´s Merete Pedersen was unlucky to give Sweden the lead in the 5^th minute with an own goal. Kristin Bengtsson´s corner kicks were curling in and Merete tried to save the second one with a diving header. Therese Lundin who replaced the injuried Victoria Svensson was twice unlucky in front of the Danish keeper Heidi Johansen.

Amongst the prolific Swedish attacks were some brilliant weighted balls from the striker Hanna Ljungberg . In the 42nd minute Merete Pedersen headed her second goal of the match but this time for the equalizer for Denmark. Sweden then lost a bit of pace but Denmark still could not take over the game. The crucial moment was when Hanna Ljungberg lifted the ball in the nets after 67 minutes. Then she sent the ball to Malin Andersson who switched to the left flank in the second half. From there she put her shot in at the nearest post to make it 3-1.

The third goal within 7 minutes was scored by the substitute Ulrika Björn, who had come on just 12 minutes earlier. Merete Pedersen rocked the ball off the underside of the cross bar in the last minute. She also hit the pole in the first half. Just three weeks ago Merete broke her nose and had to wear protective gear.

"Sweden must be the best team of Europe at the momenent," Denmark´s Head Coach Poul Höjmose declared.

Marika Domanski-Lyfors, Head Coach of Sweden said "We have kept the good play from the Euro final and the players find themselves better during the matches. They are developing all the time. The technical skill has increased. We have got a wonderful start of the World Cup qualifying starting with 8-1 against Finland. Next is Switzerland away on November 3rd."