Sweden’s routine advantage over Iceland in the fateful match

Of: Petra Thorén

Published: October 27, 2020 at 3:44 p.m.

GOTHENBURG. When it comes time to make a decision, Sweden grows.

Sweden’s advantage over Iceland is experienced experience.

– They are good at this type of game, says Peter Gerhardsson happy with his players.

The qualifiers for the European Championship can be decided and the eyes are on the young and promising players from Iceland.

Then Peter Gerhardsson turns his eyes to his own team.

What does he see?

Several experienced players, in the middle or at the end of their careers, who are still hungry but at the same time resting in a sense of security that they have been with before. Caroline Seger, Nilla Fischer, Kosovare Asllani, Sofia Jakobsson, Linda Sembrant …

Most were present when the World Cup ticket against Denmark was secured in the fall of 2018, some handled the tough Olympic qualifiers in 2016.

Photo: CARL SANDIN / BILDBYRÅN

The league captain rests his chin in one hand so that the stubble lands softly and declares in all its simplicity:

– When we get to these types of matches, they have enormous experience. The match against Denmark in the World Cup qualifiers was an example. The day before the game, Nilla (Fisher) came out of practice, he was messier than you saw outside. As a coach, you have to trust the players, not just on the field. There are experienced players who contribute a little more and transmit a kind of calm, he says.

“A player you want on your team”

Caroline Seger, 35, team captain is one of them. But she doesn’t want to hear that Sweden have never lost a major qualifying match to her on the pitch.

– It’s karma and stuff … I’m in shock, he said.

Regardless, midfielder Magdalena Eriksson believes that Caroline Seger’s value on the field is great, that there is a routine to lean on for those still at the beginning of their championship careers.

– It’s easy to take for granted what that experience means to our team. The victory is incredibly appreciated by everyone on the team. The thing about Seger is that when he blows the most, he gets up. This is the type of player you want on your team. It feels incredibly nice, says Eriksson.

Published: October 27, 2020 at 3:44 p.m.

READ ON