Goalkeeper Patrik Carlgren saved two spot-kicks as they beat Portugal 4-3 in a shootout after both teams had to settle for a goalless draw in the Euro Under-21 Championship final in Prague earlier this morning.
The AIK Stockholm player became the unlikely hero when he denied attempts from Ricardo Esgaio and William Carvalho, crowning his country their very first title at this level.
Carlgren was particularly filled with excitement. “It’s insane, completely insane to win a Euro championship. We’re writing Swedish history,” he told NST online.
His coach, Hakan Ericson, was left speechless after the win. “I can’t find any words. It feels like paradise, heaven something like that. They (Portugal) are a fantastic football team who play great football. It means a lot because we know we have fewer resources than a lot of other countries in Europe but we do well with what we have.”
“One of the secrets is to be ready for anything. We’ve hardly slept for two days!” added Ericson.
Not many would have predicted this result, having witnessed Sweden struggle throughout the tournament. Hakan Ericson’s side had the tendency to do things the hard way, but survived with their discipline and determination.
“You’re never a winner when you finish second but since the first match with this group we did something amazing,” said Portugal’s head coach, Rui Jorge, as stated in uefa.com. “The important thing is to wake up tomorrow and know that we did everything in our power to win it.”
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