As Sweden prepare for their Euro 2025 quarter-final against England, players and coaches are mentally bracing for the possibility of a penalty shootout. Left-back Jonna Andersson and captain Kosovare Asllani both admit nobody truly enjoys penalties – but being ready is part of the job. Andersson and Asllani were among the four Swedish players who missed penalties in the 2021 Olympic final - Sweden lost to Canada and took silver medal.
Head coach Peter Gerhardsson recalled being “more nervous than ever” when taking a penalty himself back in 1984, playing for Hammarby in a Swedish Cup semifinal. Though he scored, he said he nearly collapsed from nerves walking up to the spot.
