Thus, the semi-final curse has been broken for the English women, who in the last three championships have had to beat just before a final. England had not beaten Sweden since 1984 on the women’s side, and looked set to go on another strike early on as Sweden dominated the first half hour. That was before Beth Mead dunked in 1-0 before the break. It was also supposed to be the beginning of the end for the Swedes – who lose the EC semi-final 4–0. Mead, who was drafted into Hege Riise’s England squad for the Olympics last year, was the big player of the match. In addition to scoring, she also had two assists on the goals of Lucy Bronze and Fran Kirby. Alessia Russo was responsible for the third goal, which must be said to be one of the match’s great highlights. Russo heel-flipped the ball, with his back to the goal, between the legs of Sweden’s last defender Hedvig Lindahl. – I’m not going to lie, it was rude from Russo, Chelsea player Sam Kerr wrote on Twitter. – What have we witnessed?! announced the English team themselves on their Twitter account, England can thus cheer for a final ticket in a championship. They have not managed that feat in 13 years. In the European Championship final, either Germany or France await England. They play their semi-final on Wednesday. WATCH: Alessia Russo back-heels in 3-0 for Eng back-heels in 3-0 for England. Shaken England Mostly it was about one team initially. The first ten minutes saw a packed Bramall Lane see Sweden create three big chances to take the lead in the EC semi-final. England got away with the scare even before the minute had been played, when Stina Blackstenius came alone with Mary Earps. Sweden had good control for a long time and continued to control the game. That was before Mead got the opportunity inside the Swedes’ 16-metre box. A quarter of an hour before the break, Bronze found an unmarked Mead, who on the half bounce, pounded in the lead for England – against the run of play. – A nightmare for Sweden, of course, which has had a good first half hour, wrote Aftonbladet’s commentator Anna Rydén. MANAGEMENT: Photo: LINDSEY PARNABY / AFP – Very special The start of the second half also started as a nightmare for Sweden. Just over three minutes into the half, the roles were reversed when Mead assisted Bronze, who headed in 2-0. The ball went between two legs, before finally ending up behind an outstretched Hedvig Lindahl. – What is very special is that Sweden covers the zone and Bronze is allowed to stand completely alone and head unpressured, said football expert Melissa Wiik on news’s radio broadcast. Sweden had to bet after the score, and had several great chances later in the half. A good Earps in the England goal kept the Swedes from scoring, to “sweet brother’s” great frustration. Instead, it was England who were to increase the lead – and in a very elegant way. Alessia Russo followed up with a C moment when she heel-flipped the ball, with her back to the goal, between Lindahl’s legs. – It was very impressive and well done. She has had a very good break-in, said Wiik. Soon after, Fran Kirby punctuated the game with England’s fourth of the evening. Sweden has thus been knocked out of the championship for which they had golden ambitions.
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England broke the semi-final curse – ready for the EC final – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
