October 26: Germany vs Sweden, Grotenburg Stadion, Krefeld, kickoff 5pm CET
Germany’s return after a ten-year absence from international competition was a triumphant one as they brushed aside Great Briain 49-11 on the road last weekend. Sweden edged past the Lions who missed two extra points when they met two weeks ago, so both teams know that a win will guarantee a place in the semifinals, although Germany can advance from Group D with a tie.
Ranked 12th at the conclusion of the tournament due to the long period away from competing internationally, a Germany group win would set up an intriguing semifinals clash with Austria should the reigning champion also progress. The last times those nations met in the 2014 European Championship final, Germany won its last and third title in front of more than 27,000 spectators at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.
Germany might have won four straight Euro crowns, but for Saturday’s opponent Sweden who beat then in the 2005 final. Last year’s fourth-place finisher will no doubt be aiming to play spoiler again and advance themselves.
