Women’s Euros player to watch: Stina Blackstenius (Sweden)

International caps: 76

International goals: 25

International honours:

• Algarve Cup – 2018
• Olympic silver medal – 2016 & 2020
• Women’s World Cup third place – 2019

Club: Arsenal

Club honours:

• Linkopings
  • 2016 Damallsvenskan
  • 2013/14 & 2014/15 Svenska Cupen
• BK Hacken
  • 2020 Damallsvenskan
  • 2020/21 Svenska Cupen

Stina Blackstenius, Sweden – One To Watch

Stina Blackstenius is one of Europe’s leading strikers, and heads into Euro 2022 having scored six times in 11 Women’s Super League games for Arsenal. Sweden’s star forward has spent the majority of her career in her native country, but made the decision to switch to the Gunners earlier this year.

Blackstenius was nominated for the 2021 Ballon d’Or Feminin and, aged just 26, has some of her best years still ahead of her. She fired her country to the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics with a series of superb performances in front of goal. She netted a brace as Sweden shocked the USA in the groups, as well as chipping in during the knockout stages and gave her country the lead in the gold-medal match.

Sweden’s football team almost missed out on this generational talent altogether, though: Blackstenius grew up playing handball and only abandoned it for football in 2013. Handball’s loss is soccer’s gain, both for Swedish football fans and any neutrals looking forward to the world’s best players showcasing their talents at Euro 2022 this summer.