Sweden team guide
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
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Sweden became the seventh country to lift the trophy in 2012 after eliminating holders Germany in qualifying; having knocked out France this time, they travel to Norway with hope.
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Sweden became the seventh country to inscribe their name on the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship trophy in 2012 and, after a blip last season, they arrive in Norway with real hope.
Calle Barrling's side ended France's title defence on the last day of the elite round, Stina Blackstenius scoring the only goal late on as Sweden became the first team in over 18 months to inflict a competitive defeat on Les Bleuettes. It rounded off an impressive qualifying campaign for Sweden, unstoppable during the first stage before showing their resilient side in a tough elite round group that also included a strong Poland outfit.
Sweden also eliminated the holders en route to the title in 2012, becoming the first team in the competition's history to block Germany's route to the finals. Then, in sweltering temperatures in Antalya, their fitness took them over the finishing line at the tournament proper, Malin Diaz scoring in a 1-0 victory over Spain in the final. Diaz was one of seven members of the 2012 squad eligible last season, but Sweden, runners-up to England in 2009, struggled and bowed out after a 5-0 defeat by Norway.
Route to finals
First qualifying round: 8-1 Estonia, 10-0 Lithuania, 3-0 Portugal (Group 3 winners)
Elite round: 2-1 Poland, 1-0 Romania, 1-0 France (Group 3 winners)
Top scorer: Stina Blackstenius (10)
Key players
Filippa Curmark (midfielder, Jitex BK), Stina Blackstenius (forward, Linköpings FC), Lina Hurtig (midfielder/forward, Umeå IK), Julia Wahlberg (midfielder, Göteborg FC).
Coach: Calle Barrling
Date of birth: 28/07/1953
Playing career: Djurgårdens IF, Gröndals IK, Hille IF, Strömsbro IF
Coaching career: Strömsbro IF, Gävle GIK, Högbo AIK, IFK Gävle, Sweden women's U19, U23
A coaching mainstay for Sweden's female teams over a number of years, Barrling has occupied the women's U19 helm since 2005, enjoying success with a blend of technical proficiency and a strong team spirit. Combining the job with the role of scout for the senior women's squad, he reached the semi-finals of this competition in 2008, finished runner-up 12 months later and last summer steered his charges to the title at Spain's expense. He has since been appointed U23 boss.
Barrling has travelled many footballing roads since being released by Djurgården aged 17. He played out his career in the lower rungs of Swedish football, ending up at Strömsbro while he was studying to be a teacher and beginning coaching there in 1985. Spells at Gävle GIK, Högbo and IFK Gävle followed before Barrling linked up with the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) in 1998.
UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship record
2012/13: group stage
2011/12: winners
2010/11: did not qualify
2009/10: did not qualify
2008/09: runners-up
2007/08: semi-finals
2006/07: did not qualify
2005/06: group stage
2004/05: did not qualify
2003/04: did not qualify
2002/03: semi-finals
2001/02: group stage
Honours in other UEFA women's competitions
UEFA European Women's Championship
Winners: 1984
Runners-up: 1989, 1997, 2005
UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship
Winners: 1999