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Battles in Scandinavia and a France-Germany match!
Norway is on fire with the Viking-Bodo Glimt derby, while Sweden is living its own thriller with Jürgardenen and Elfsborg. At the same time, in the Women's Euro, France and Germany are fighting for a place in the semi-finals. Three challenges, three battles for dominance.
After the 4-0 defeat in the first round match in Boros, Jurgardenen has an obligation to give answers. As part of the 16th matchday of Allsvenskan, it welcomes Elfsborg in Stockholm, at a time when the climate in the Swedish capital smells of gunpowder. The "Blaranderna" are going through one of the most unstable seasons in recent years, having collected just 19 points in 15 matches, with a serious inability to produce phases. Tokmak Ngwen is almost alone in attack and it is perfectly normal that he cannot bear all this weight. The absence of Tobias Guliksen due to punishment, as well as Ekdal in the midfield, leaves big gaps that will be difficult to fill.
Elfsborg is more composed and with a clear tactical plan. With 29 points and the goal of exiting Europe, it comes from a victory over Gothenburg and relies heavily on set pieces, where Rasmus Wickström is decisive. Jimmy Telin's team seems to have a balance, although the draw with Bernamo showed difficulties against teams that are closed. Peterson and Zenelli remain out, but Hedlund and Silverholt look in form and fill the area consistently.
The hosts have an advantage in terms of odds, but of course it cannot be justified.
The big derby of the 15th matchday of the Eliteserien pits the two most attacking teams in the league against each other. The champion Viking welcomes the champion Bodo Glimt at the "SR-Bank Arena" in a match of character and endurance.
Morten Jensen's Viking is trying to regain the rhythm that propelled them to the top in the two months of May-June. With the best offense in the league (40 goals), the hosts have the quality to break down any opponent's defense. However, after the break, they present instability and defensive gaps that come at a cost. A great example is the 1-3 defeat against Bran, which created tremors in the locker room and reactions from the fans.
On the other hand, Kietil Knutsen's Bodo Glimt has found a rhythm after being eliminated from Europe and seems ready to claim the defense of its title until the end. The imposing 4-0 victory over Rosenborg was a declaration of superiority, however, away from home it presents instability.
In the first round, Viking passed as... wind from the home of Bodo Glimt (4-2).
Bodo is the marginal favorite.
Against the backdrop of the Euro 2025 semi-finals, France and Germany face off in a historic quarter-final that promises intensity, talent and will to qualify.
The French reached the round of 8 with psychology at its highest, coming from three convincing performances in the group stage and an emphatic triumph (5-2) over the Netherlands. Laurent Bonante has created an ensemble with speed, technique and unpredictable character, relying on new faces. Delphine Cascarino is the point of reference in the attack, with two goals and continuous line splits, while Gayoro leads the axis in a leading way.
On the other side, Germany is called upon to prove that it remains a front-line force, despite the competitive instability that characterized it in the groups. The "Panzers" started with two victories, but the heavy defeat against Sweden (1-4) highlighted serious defensive problems. The dismissal of the main right-back Charlotte Vamser and the absence of Gwyn due to injury force coach Christian Vuck to take aces out of his sleeve. Offensively, they rely on the dynamics of Simone Lonzer and the quality of Biddle, but the defensive misunderstanding remains an open wound.
France is the favorite to qualify, but Germany's experience and jersey can by no means be ignored.