Sweden’s new hero targeting another scalp

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Move over Zlatan. Swedish football has a new hero and, while it would be hard to imagine a greater contrast between the brash egocentric Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Janne Andersson, their understated national coach, there was only one name being loudly chanted in St Petersburg last night ahead of playing England for a place in the World Cup semi-final.

“Oh, Janne, Janne! Janne, Janne Andersson!”

Over and over it was sung, most vociferously by the several thousand Sweden fans who could not bring themselves to leave the Saint Petersburg Arena after a historic 1-0 win that also secured their first quarter-final since 1994. Andersson eventually re-emerged to take the ecstatic plaudits for a final time, before delivering a reminder to anyone in England who might still doubt their qualities.

“Whatever other teams and countries think is not terribly interesting,” said Andersson. “We know we are a good team. It is full steam ahead and we are going to put in a bloody good match on Saturday.”

Whether the catalyst was the departure of Ibrahimovic or simply the arrival of Andersson, Sweden are a team galvanised over these past two years.

From the Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic, there was a further warning for England. “When they score, they are an extremely tough nut to crack.” ■

AP Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov (centre) oversees a training session in Novogorsk, near Moscow, yesterday. Croatia await Russia in their quarter-final showdown.

AFP Uruguay’s players attend a training session in Nizhny Novgorod. Uruguay will meet France in Nizhny Novgorod for a place in the World Cup semi-finals.