0-0 against Sweden in EURO opener

The Germany Women’s team started off their European Championship campaign with a draw in Group B. Germany manager Steffi Jones’ side played out a 0-0 draw in Breda’s Rat Verlegh Stadion against Sweden, remaining undefeated over the course of eleven consecutive games in major tournaments against the Scandinavian outfit. Sweden’s last win against Germany came in the 1995 World Cup. However, the draw in the Netherlands was the first time the two sides have had to share the spoils in the 27 times they have played one another.

Jones opted to start goalkeeper Almuth Schult in net behind a back-four that featured Anna Blässe on the right, Carolin Simon on the left, and centre-backs Josephine Henning and Babett Peter in between. Kristin Demann played in holding midfield, with Lina Magull, Sara Däbritz, and captain Dzsenifer Maroszán in front of her. Finally, Svenja Huth and Anja Mittag were selected as Jones’ strike partnership of choice.

Intense start

The game was intense from the opening moments of the game: Sweden looked to hit Germany on the counter, whilst Germany looked to beat them with quick passes. A series of corners led to Sweden’s first good chance – a header from Linda Sembrant in the fifth minute. However, the Olympic winners reacted immediately with a dangerous corner of their own, put into the area by Maroszán.

It was a back and forth game – but Germany had the next big chance of the game: Maroszán put Blässe through down the right flank, although goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl was there to collect the ball before Mittag could get a shot off. Moments later, the Swedes were once more there to snuff out the Germany international with her 155 caps to her name.

Huth suffers early injury

Germany had Sweden pinned back into their own area, but time and time again the side in yellow and blue managed to keep Germany’s shots on goal to a minimum. Equally as staunch was Germany’s defence in the face of the threat that Sweden posed on the counter. All in all, that meant that chances on goal were rare. Jones had to make a substitution 39 minutes owing to an injury, with Mandy Islacker coming into the game in place of striker Huth.

Sweden’s defence showed a lapse in concentration after the break. A turnover of possession resulted in Däbritz putting Maroszán through on goal – who was only stopped by Nilla Fischer at the last moment. Seconds later, Islacker couldn’t convert a cross from Blässe (48’). Germany found their rhythm in attack, with another chance coming in the form of Maroszán’s freekick after 51 minutes played, but ultimately Lindahl was not troubled by her effort. Däbritz had a go on the volley six minutes later, but it was blocked.

Mittag and Islacker with chances to take the lead

Maroszán was responsible for creating the best chance in the second half: her cross found Mittag at the near post, who was just stopped with a last-ditch tackle (59’). All the action was in Sweden’s half, although Sweden’s Lotta Schelin remained a threat on the break.

Jones subbed on Hasret Kayikci for Mittag in the 65th minute in the hope of creating a spark offensively. Germany continued to press on for the winner after the substitution, with Simon delivering the ball in for Islacker, who saw her shot go wide of the far post (66’).

A goalless encounter

VfL Wolfsburg goalkeeper Almuth Schult stood strong against efforts from Stina Blackstenius (70’) and Schelin (73’) to prevent the Swedes from taking the lead, and at the other end, Lindahl was once more called into action to make a save – and did so successfully. Late substitute Leonie Maier came on with five minutes to go, but ultimately the game finished with no goals for either side.