England strolled past Sweden in the EC semi-finals and didn’t stop until the score was 4-0. After that, England’s second goal was met with strong criticism from the Swedish camp.

Aftenposten collaborates with VG-sporten. Therefore, as a reader of Aftenposten, you also get articles and services created by VG.

There is little doubt about who will reach the EC final between England and Sweden last night. England did not give up until the score was 4-0 on the scoreboard and advanced to the final.

The Swedish press was characterized by headlines such as “Jättekollaps” and “Overrunning” hours after the final whistle.

– It’s a big disappointment, because we expected more. But it didn’t go our way, centre-back Magdalena Eriksson added Express after the end of the game.

Stated over VAR

Earlier in the championship, Sweden had shown their dissatisfaction with the use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee). In the quarter-final against Belgium, Sweden were furious after a cancellation for offside.

Even after Tuesday’s heavy loss, refereeing videos are again part of the focus in the press zone. Some Swedish soccer girls blame VAR – after England’s 2-0 goal was approved after lengthy VAR checks. The Sweden team believed the goal should have been ruled out for offside on Lauren Hemp, who was standing right in front of the Swedish goalkeeper.

– VAR has intervened the whole damn tournament. “It’s great that we have VAR, but we can’t use it if the right decisions aren’t made,” Nathalie Björn told Aftonbladet after the game and continue:

– It was clear that it could be a game-defining situation, but then we had to score on our chances. It’s very frustrating and we had five goals disallowed and then they got one. It’s not fun to get a nudge in the face, he continued.

Days before Tuesday’s semi-finals, team-mate Kosovare Asllani also strongly opposed the VAR system and criticized UEFA for the difference in the number of cameras used at the women’s European Cup compared to the men’s championship.

“It doesn’t surprise me – it’s not the first time in this championship VAR has not done its job,” he said after the end of the game against England.

– It’s pretty good for our tournament and it’s been an uphill battle for us in many ways in this tournament. “You have to flow with you in the championship, but that’s not there for us,” explained Magdalena Eriksson.

Crying in tears

A few minutes after the game ended you could see the Swedish players in tears and some of them took to the stands to be comforted by the families who had traveled to England.

– It means a lot to see the family in the stands. My sister has been here throughout the tournament and followed me. It was cool to see that they had spent so much time. We wanted to give them a chance to see us in the final at Wembley, but it didn’t happen that way, Magdalena Eriksson continued.

Team captain Caroline Seger was also sorely disappointed after Tuesday’s semifinal.

– It’s always hard to leave the championship. Especially when you lose 0-4 – it’s difficult in a different way, he said and continued:

– It feels so hopeless and it’s a terrible loss overall. Now it just feels like pure headwind.

On Wednesday evening, the second semifinal will be played – between France and Germany. Hosts England will meet either team in the final at Wembley next Sunday at 18.00