TRIPLE WHAMMY

Banyana Banyana head to the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year having been drawn, to be frank, in a Group of Death. Here is the lowdown on their opponents.

- Nick Said

SWEDEN
23 JULY, WELLINGTON REGIONAL STADIUM

Why not kick things off with the team ranked number three in the world? No point in easing in gently; let us just get stuck right in.

Sweden were runners-up at the 2003 World Cup and have won three bronze medals, including last time out in France in 2019. They have also been runners-up at the most recent two Olympic Games.

'So they are not winners!" I hear you cry. Well, they have only lost one competitive fixture in the past four years and won most of the remaining matches, so they have a pretty good résumé.

Banyana have met them four times before, losing three of those and drawing the last in 2019, which ended O-O. But it is fair to say they have not been absolutely belted in any of those. The Swedes have been coached since 2017 by Peter Gerhardsson, who is vastly experienced, especially when it comes to tournament play.