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Germany, without a World Cup title since their consecutive double in 2003 and 2007, are looking to keep their four-year unbeaten run against Sweden going in this all-European quarter-final.
Germany are currently ranked second in the women’s world rankings but have failed to reach the final of the World Cup since their 2007 victory in China, despite boasting world class talent in the form of Dzsenifer Marozsán and Alexandra Popp. Die Nationalelf won the Olympic gold in 2016, beating Sweden in the final 2-1.
The Swedes came bitterly close to tasting victory, their only major success thus far being the 1984 Women’s European Championship when the competition featured just four teams. On their run to the Olympic final, Sweden defeated the all-powerful US on penalties.
Stina Blackstenius scored in both the victory over the US and in the final defeat to the Germans in Rio.
Three years later on, she is still scoring, this time the only goal of the game against Canada to seal Sweden’s passage through to the quarter-finals.
What time does it start?
Germany vs Sweden kicks off at 5.30pm BST on Saturday 29 June.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BBC Red Button from 5.30 pm. Highlights will be shown on the BBC Sport website
It’s a big game for…
Alexandra Popp: Germany’s captain earned her 100th cap and marked it with a goal against Nigeria in the round of 16. Popp, a teenager during Germany’s noughties golden era which yielded two World Cups, will be looking to drive this generation of German talent to World Cup victory.
Best stat…
Germany are unbeaten against Sweden since March 2015, when the Swedes triumphed 4-2 in the Algarve Cup group stages.
Player to watch…
Dzsenifer Marozsán: Hungary-born midfielder Marozsán came third in the first-ever Ballon d’Or Féminin and won the Women’s Champions League in May with Lyon. She is yet to score in this World Cup and will be looking to cement her position as one of the world’s best players, especially in the absence of Norway’s Ada Hegerberg.
Past three meetings…
Sweden 1 (Seger) Germany 2 (Hendrich, Dallmann), International Friendly, April 2019
Germany 0 Sweden 0, European Women’s Championship, July 2017
Sweden 1 (Blackstenius) Germany 2 (Marozsán, Sembrant), Olympic Games, August 2016
Form guide…
Germany: DWWWWW
Sweden: WWWWLW
Odds...
Germany to win: 3/4
Sweden to win: 4/1
Draw: 5/2
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