SWEDE & SOUR!
DISMISSED as a nation more famous for meatballs, IKEA and Abba, the Swedes are already fed up with being taken for granted.
The widely held belief that England have as good as booked themselves a place in the World Cup semi-final has rankled with a national side who have been there and done it more recently, in 1994. Swedish players, past and present, are annoyed with what they perceive to be a lack of respect shown to them even before the last-eight line-up was complete. And Manchester United’s £30million defender Victor Lindelof articulated the feelings of his country. “We are a nation to be taken seriously,” he said.
“We’ve played good teams and they have had difficult games against us, so yes I’m very happy for the team.”
Previously dependent on the goals and leadership of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Janne Andersson’s side have now made a name for themselves.
While Ibrahimovic has been blowing his own trumpet in the United States and on social media, the humble Swedes have worked as a team to top a World Cup group that included Germany. In total, they have won three of their four games, with victory over Switzerland on Tuesday setting up tomorrow’s quarter-final.
“I think it will be difficult to play against us because we defend very well and it’s hard to find spaces between the lines,”
Lindelof added.
“It is tough for opponents because we work very hard for each other. There is no space for them out there. We defend very well, all 11 players on the pitch, so it’s difficult for teams to score goals against us. We trust each other 100 per cent.
“It’s important. You have to trust the players beside you and in front and behind you. We have that trust.” Andersson emphasised the word “team” more than a dozen times earlier this week to make his point that the Zlatan era is over.
Instead, the Swedes see RB Leipzig winger Emil Forsberg (left) as the man who could make the difference in Samara.
The 26-year-old is nowhere near as prolific as Ibrahimovic – Tuesday’s goal was his first since March and only his seventh in all competitions since the start of last season. But he impressed against the Swiss and will be the Swedes’ creative force as they aim to upset England. “He is a fantastic player with great quality and is very important for us,” said Lindelof. “We need him when we attack.
“He is very good with the ball and can do the extra things that we need.”
The Swedes will be without Celtic defender Michael Lustig, who is now suspended.
But another of their wingers, Viktor Claesson, believes his side will revel in their underdog status.
“It’s perfect for us and for the country,” he said.
“We are underdogs and a team together. It’s perfect. We are still here – and I hope it continues that way.
“England play more like us. They are physical and have good players – but I think we can do it.”