Sweden team guide
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Article summary
Sweden were heading out with one minute of their last qualifier to go when Emelie Andersson headed a dramatic winner.
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Sweden negotiated the qualifying round with minimal fuss, including a 5-1 victory over a Republic of Ireland side who had ended their ambitions in the group stage in 2014, but the elite round provided real adversity.
They were indebted to a couple of outstanding saves from Zecira Musovic in the 0-0 draw with Austria, and while Serbia were dispatched with little problem, they needed to beat Italy on the last day to advance at their opponents' expense.
Sweden trailed at the hour, but Stina Blackstenius's record-equalling 14th of the qualifying campaign made it 1-1 and super sub Emelie Andersson headed in the winner a minute from time.
"We did not get dejected after their goal," said coach Calle Barrling. "We were determined to win and stuck to our game plan. We overpowered Italy, as we did all our opponents. We deserved to qualify."
Route to finals
Qualifying round: 3-0 Moldova, 12-0 Montenegro, 5-1 Republic of Ireland
Elite round: 0-0 Austria, 4-2 Serbia, 2-1 Italy
Top scorer: Stina Blackstenius (14)
Key players
Zecira Musovic (goalkeeper, FC Rosengård), Anna Oskarsson (midfielder, Jitex BK), Stina Blackstenius (forward, Linköpings 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
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 in 2012 steered his charges to the title at Spain's expense.
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. Stays 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
2013/14: group stage
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