Sweden will probably be many individuals’s darkish horses at this summer season’s Euro 2025 as they give the impression of being to repeat their 1984 success after they defeated England on penalties on the finish of a two-legged ultimate.
That continues to be the Swedes’ solely main honour, with the workforce enduring quite a few near-misses, together with two Olympic silver medals, two World Cup third-place finishes and a Euro semi-final previously decade.
Peter Gerhardsson must deal with an getting older squad, however he’ll have the ability to name on the participant that FourFourTwo ranked at no. 5 on this planet, who’s getting into her prime in Chelsea star Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd on her Chelsea journey
The 28-year-old midfielder has been key to the Blues home treble this season and not too long ago put pen to paper to signal a brand new deal that commits her to the membership till 2027, however nonetheless remembers the decision she had again in 2022 when she was at Swedish facet Hacken a few potential transfer.
“I used to be very flattered, “ she tells FourFourTwo. “There was little question: that’s the place I needed to go. After the Euros, I obtained a name from my agent to say, “Let’s do that.” I used to be tremendous pleased.
With three Ladies’s Tremendous League titles, two FA Cup wins and a League Cup victory, Rytting Kaneryd has loved a profitable time to date on the membership, however it’s not one these trophy wins that stands out as her spotlight with the membership.
“The very first thing that pops into my thoughts is all the trophies we’ve gained,” she continues. “But additionally the Champions League semi-final in Barcelona final yr, after we gained the primary leg 1-0. That was a particular match.
In addition to profitable a clear sweep of home trophies throughout her time to this point in England, Rytting Kaneryd additionally took house the 2024 Diamond Ball, which is awarded to Sweden’s participant of the yr.
“It was one of many proudest moments in my life,” she admits. “As a toddler, you take a look at these awards and suppose, ‘Sooner or later, someday’.
“My father and I at all times talked about it, and it wasn’t about if I used to be going to win it; it was when I used to be going to win it. It’s one thing that has been in my thoughts the entire time, and after I lastly gained it, it was a giant shock.
“I used to be so stunned and grateful. I used to be additionally considering, ‘OK – every little thing I’ve been by means of with the accidents and leaving house at such an early age? It was value it in the long run’.”
