Case for the Attack

Sweden reached Switzerland through the play-offs after finishing behind France and England, thrashing Luxembourg and Serbia on the way, and arrive as frontrunners who have not won the title in 41 years, having been a penalty from Olympic gold in 2021 and taken consecutive World Cup bronze medals. It is the end of an era, with Peter Gerhardsson stepping down after eight years and Tony Gustavsson waiting in the wings, and a first tournament without Caroline Seger since Athens 2004, the captaincy now shared by Kosovare Asllani and Magdalena Eriksson. Milan forward Evelyn Ijeh, the interview subject, explains she began as a defender until Pia Sundhage moved her up front at youth level because she was taller; she scored twice in an internal game and never played defence again. She credits Fridolina Rolfo and Asllani for lessons in communication.