Damallsvenskan Newsblog

Sweden - Norway 0-0 (0-0)
Sweden: Caroline Jönsson Malmö FF - Frida Östberg Linköping FC, Sara Larsson Linköping FC, Karolina Westberg Umeå IK, Caroline Näfver KIF Örebro (72 Maria Bergkvist Umeå IK) - Johanna Almgren Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC (50 Hanna Ljungberg Umeå IK), Salina Ohlsson Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC (62 Therese Sjögran Malmö FF), Caroline Seger Linköping FC (46 Malin Moström Umeå IK), Linda Fagerström Djurgården/Älvsjö - Victoria Svensson Djurgården/Älvsjö, Lotta Schelin Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC (68 Anna Sjöström Umeå IK)

Not exactly the starting line-up you would choose if you wanted to defeat Norway, somebody pointed out. But Thomas Dennerby has been clear about his plans; everybody on the squad will start at least once and he will try different combinations of players on the field.

This time, the result of Dennerby's experimenting was mainly disappointing. Disorganized defense, slow and tired looking midfield (reports says Seger was just recovering from a cold) and a lack of quality both delivering and recieving passes. Only quality performance in the first half was from goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson, showing stability and confidence. Things shaped up a bit in the second half, when players like Malin Moström, Hanna Ljungberg and Therese Sjögran was subbed in. Still, a fairly mediocre performance from both sides.