Swedish media reacted with disbelief and anger after the national women's team were eliminated from Euro 2025 in a penalty shootout against England. The match, a quarter-final, saw Sweden take a 2-0 lead in the first half before the Lionesses struck back with two quick goals to force extra time. After a goalless 30 minutes, reigning champions England triumphed 3-2 in the ensuing shootout.
Aftonbladet described the ending as 'brutal' and called the penalty shootout the 'nightmare that never ended'. Journalist Frida Fagerlund wrote that for 80 minutes there was no doubt which team would progress, with Sweden dominating the first half and seemingly heading to the semi-finals until 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang equalised with little time remaining.
Expressen's Frida Olsson spoke of the 'indescribable joy and enormous sorrow' visible after the final whistle. 'Down on the pitch we can see the most disgusting extremes of elite sport,' she wrote. 'The English players are in ecstasy and on the other side we have the Swedish players, whose dream has just been shattered into 10,000 pieces.'
England were favourites but were second-best in the first half, with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton making several smart saves to keep her team in the match. Criticism centred on the selection of penalty takers, particularly the decision to ask 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg to take Sweden's seventh kick. Holmberg missed and was reduced to tears. Former Sweden international Lotta Schelin, commentating on TV, called the decision inexplicable, arguing that more experienced players such as Madelen Janogy and Lina Hurtig could have stepped up.
Holmberg received support from teammates, with Rebecka Blomqvist praising her for taking responsibility, while Janogy said they would look after her and praise her for being 'incredibly cool'. The match marked the final game for Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson, who is stepping down after eight years. 'It feels pretty pointless to try to analyse this game right now,' he said. 'Right now the feelings are … one feels sadness. I am sad that it ended this way.'
