UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Sweden and Russia stride on

Sweden and Russia will both compete in the second qualifying round after dominant performances in the Group 7 mini-tournament in Slovenia.

Sweden and Russia stride on
Sweden and Russia stride on ©UEFA.com

Duo through
Both comfortably won their opening games against Slovenia and Armenia, and although a final day 1-1 draw gave Sweden first place in Group 7 on goal difference, Russia will end as one of the six runners-up with the best record against the rest of the top three in their section across the ten pools. Irina Zinovyeva gave Russia the lead in the decisive game but Ellinor Klang equalised early in the second half.

Sweden cruise
Russia secured a comfortabole Matchday 1 win as a Nadezda Koltakova hat-trick and Ksenia Frolova and Zinovyeva strikes secured a 5-0 victory. However, Sweden defeated Armenia 16-0 with trebles by Julia Roddar, Elin Rubensson and Sofia Fors, two goals by Josephine Larsson and further efforts from by Sara Eliasson, Julia Bruksas, Elin Landström and substitute Anna Hjälmkvist. Sona Shahinyan put through an own goal.

Decisive wins
Two days later Sweden matched Russia's win against Slovenia, with Rubensson and Klang striking before Katja Nežmah's own goal just before the break. Rubensson and substitute Julia Roddar made it five, enough for a goal difference lead despite Russia's 9-0 defeat of Armenia. Anna Deleva, Anna Kalacheva and Tatiana Ananyeva made it three on 26 minutes and late in the first half Deleva and Zinovyeva found the target. Zinovyeva and Anna Cholovyaga increased the lead before a Ananyeva penalty on 65 minutes but Marina Volkova was then sent off and the only further goal was from her fellow substitute Daria Soboleva in added time. While Sweden and Russia were qualifying, Slovenia beat Armenia 6-0 for third place; Alin Skaper, Polona Marn, Dragica Stipič. Kristina Erman. Ajda Kljajič and Barbara Zupanc scored in the first 43 minutes.