Sweden took revenge - ready for the WC semi-final

In February this year, Sweden came close to the first Swedish championship medal in 19 years when they met Switzerland in the bronze medal match at the Olympics in Milan.

That time the score was 1–1 after regular time. In extra time, the Swiss superstar Alina Müller stepped forward and secured their bronze medal.

A difficult time for the Swedish players.

Nine months later, the teams met again in a knockout match. This time in the WC and already in a quarter-final.

And this time it was Sweden that was the strongest.

However, the road to the important Swedish victory was both smooth and exciting.

Sweden booked their place in the quarter-finals by finishing second in their group, while Switzerland somewhat surprisingly came third in their group after losing to Germany.

With the host country Denmark guaranteed to play their quarter-final in Herning, the quarter-final between Sweden and Switzerland was decided in Esbjerg, where Switzerland played its group stage matches.

In the Olympic bronze medal match in Milan, Switzerland's Andrea Brändli played a great goal. In the WC quarter-finals, she had to remain in the booth somewhat surprisingly. Instead, it was Saskia Maurer who got the chance.

The Swedish goal was also guarded this time by Ebba Svensson Träff.

Both goalkeepers had a lot to do in the first period and Svensson Träff was responsible for several really good saves when Switzerland had to play on the power play at the end of the period.

Despite a high-tempo first period with chances, there were no goals.

Sweden started the second period at a furious pace to get that first goal as early as possible. But it is not easy to score in Switzerland. Not only because they often have good goalkeepers, but they also play a disciplined defensive game with a lot of patience.

But with just over five minutes left in the period, they could not withstand the Swedish press.

Defender Mira Jungåker fired a shot that Sara Hjalmarsson elegantly steered in behind Maurer. 1–0 to Sweden was a fact.

- It was time to put it there so it was nice, said a satisfied Sara Hjalmarsson to SVT.

The start of the third period was not quite as exuberant, but here too it was Sweden who were most active in the first few minutes.

But Switzerland worked their way into the match. With frenzy, they chased an equalizing goal, but the Swedish sacrificial play put an end to it.

Even when Switzerland, with just over two minutes left in regular time, picked out the goalkeeper, and had to play with one player, they didn't manage to outwit Ebba Svensson Träff even though they created chances.

The last time Sweden won a medal in the World Cup or the Olympics was in 2007, when current national team captain Erika Holst led the Women's Crowns to a World Cup bronze.