European Championships: Things that happended while I was away
It was a major family gathering. I turned away from the dinnertable, somewhere between the main course and the dessert, took up my cellphone and wapped to SVT's teletext. My brother looked at me, queringly. "One-nil, Anna Sjöström", I answered. "At what time?" "3rd minute". "Well, thank god we didn't have to sit through that one!", he exclaimed.
I think he probably was on the spot there. From the reports it doesn't seem like it was very enjoyable. The major tabloid had a big headline across the front of the sports section that said "VIDARE!", but with the dot over the I exchanged for five small letters "INGET". Which is pretty clever in swedish: "vidare" means further or through (we won so we're through to the semis) while "inget vidare" means "not very good".
In spite of winning their group, undefeated to that, the swedish team has far from met the expectations. Critizism from media and fans is harsh. Sweden were supposed to dominate against all the other teams in their group, maybe with some exception for Denmark. Instead they have just squeezed by. The lack of goals, the bad passing play, the absence of activity on the wings, the repeated changes of the midfield composition, the constant long and high balls aimed at a striker that is, to quote a TV commentator, two pancakes tall and an almost invisible pair of forwards. Only the defense, and mostly Hanna Marklund, has satisfied the critics so far.
The players and coaches on the other hand willingly admit that the play could have looked better, but they have so far done what they are here to do, resultwise. The swedish tactics, with pressure already in the offensive third of the field, takes a lot of strength. "The defense starts with the forwards" is a common statement from the swedish coaches, and Ljungberg and Svensson has certainly done their bit in that respect. But that takes it's toll and makes the swedish counters slower and less forcefull.
And there is, though not that well represented, a view that this is as good as we are. The field in a competition like the European Championships is strong, there are no push-overs (maybe except for Italy). Be content that the team actually gets the job done and don't complain about how it's done.
I could give you loads of links here, but it I really don't feel like browsing through a weeks worth of 10-15 internet newspapers to find them. Look for yourself if you feel like it. www.aftonbladet.se, www.expressen.se and www.dn.se covers this event extensively and I think you'll find news and views at every other swedish site I've ever linked to here.
Finland's women on the other hand were completely exhilarated after their 2-1 win over Denmark. The biggest thing ever in finnish football, men or women, was among the most modest statements. There was a fantastic audio clip on finnish radio, an interview with Jessica Julin and Heidi Kackur (they are both from the swedishspeaking minority) directly after the match. They seem to have pulled it now, maybe too much swearing in it?? Julin and Kackur were on top of the world and needed to emphazise every feeling with a well chosen swearword. It was probably also from another post match interview, with a happy but somewhat more relaxed team captain Sanna Valkonen, that the rumour that the finnish girls would celebrate by skinnydipping in the hotel fountain emanated.
No link, since they pulled my favourite clip.
The young ones against the old guard is a popular theme. Seger, Öqvist and Schelin are fun, vocal and self-confident. So far none of them has really impressed on the field, but who has. But in one event they have taken the lead. The swedish national team players, especially those from Umeå, has a reputation of being shopaholics. But Seger, Öqvist and Schelin has taken over at least there.
TV4 (Shopping clip)
Expressen: En blågul modeoffensiv
Bad play or not, the European Championship is the big thing in sports in Sweden these weeks. The Finland match was played and televised opposite the men's friendly against Norway. The women's match got an audience of 1,2 millions while the men's game, shown at another network, got half as much. None of the big names (Ljungberg, Ibrahimovic) played for Sweden, but nonetheless.
Dagens Nyheter: Damlandslaget vann tittarmatchen
Matches with 25 to 30 thousand in the crowds are not commonplace with european women's football and I think England's matches got bigger TV audience than the FA Cup final. But what concerns the tournament itself there are still ways to go. Representatives for the swedish FA says there is a lot left to do:
- the squads are to small, 17 outfield players compared to 220 in the men's tournament
- all competing teams are put in the same hotel - unthinkable in a men's tournament
- they are not alone at the hotels, they have to share it with tourists and wedding parties
Dagens Nyheter: Damfotboll släpar efter herrarna
I think he probably was on the spot there. From the reports it doesn't seem like it was very enjoyable. The major tabloid had a big headline across the front of the sports section that said "VIDARE!", but with the dot over the I exchanged for five small letters "INGET". Which is pretty clever in swedish: "vidare" means further or through (we won so we're through to the semis) while "inget vidare" means "not very good".
In spite of winning their group, undefeated to that, the swedish team has far from met the expectations. Critizism from media and fans is harsh. Sweden were supposed to dominate against all the other teams in their group, maybe with some exception for Denmark. Instead they have just squeezed by. The lack of goals, the bad passing play, the absence of activity on the wings, the repeated changes of the midfield composition, the constant long and high balls aimed at a striker that is, to quote a TV commentator, two pancakes tall and an almost invisible pair of forwards. Only the defense, and mostly Hanna Marklund, has satisfied the critics so far.
The players and coaches on the other hand willingly admit that the play could have looked better, but they have so far done what they are here to do, resultwise. The swedish tactics, with pressure already in the offensive third of the field, takes a lot of strength. "The defense starts with the forwards" is a common statement from the swedish coaches, and Ljungberg and Svensson has certainly done their bit in that respect. But that takes it's toll and makes the swedish counters slower and less forcefull.
And there is, though not that well represented, a view that this is as good as we are. The field in a competition like the European Championships is strong, there are no push-overs (maybe except for Italy). Be content that the team actually gets the job done and don't complain about how it's done.
I could give you loads of links here, but it I really don't feel like browsing through a weeks worth of 10-15 internet newspapers to find them. Look for yourself if you feel like it. www.aftonbladet.se, www.expressen.se and www.dn.se covers this event extensively and I think you'll find news and views at every other swedish site I've ever linked to here.
Finland's women on the other hand were completely exhilarated after their 2-1 win over Denmark. The biggest thing ever in finnish football, men or women, was among the most modest statements. There was a fantastic audio clip on finnish radio, an interview with Jessica Julin and Heidi Kackur (they are both from the swedishspeaking minority) directly after the match. They seem to have pulled it now, maybe too much swearing in it?? Julin and Kackur were on top of the world and needed to emphazise every feeling with a well chosen swearword. It was probably also from another post match interview, with a happy but somewhat more relaxed team captain Sanna Valkonen, that the rumour that the finnish girls would celebrate by skinnydipping in the hotel fountain emanated.
No link, since they pulled my favourite clip.
The young ones against the old guard is a popular theme. Seger, Öqvist and Schelin are fun, vocal and self-confident. So far none of them has really impressed on the field, but who has. But in one event they have taken the lead. The swedish national team players, especially those from Umeå, has a reputation of being shopaholics. But Seger, Öqvist and Schelin has taken over at least there.
TV4 (Shopping clip)
Expressen: En blågul modeoffensiv
Bad play or not, the European Championship is the big thing in sports in Sweden these weeks. The Finland match was played and televised opposite the men's friendly against Norway. The women's match got an audience of 1,2 millions while the men's game, shown at another network, got half as much. None of the big names (Ljungberg, Ibrahimovic) played for Sweden, but nonetheless.
Dagens Nyheter: Damlandslaget vann tittarmatchen
Matches with 25 to 30 thousand in the crowds are not commonplace with european women's football and I think England's matches got bigger TV audience than the FA Cup final. But what concerns the tournament itself there are still ways to go. Representatives for the swedish FA says there is a lot left to do:
- the squads are to small, 17 outfield players compared to 220 in the men's tournament
- all competing teams are put in the same hotel - unthinkable in a men's tournament
- they are not alone at the hotels, they have to share it with tourists and wedding parties
Dagens Nyheter: Damfotboll släpar efter herrarna
European Championships: Sweden - Finland
Sweden - Finland 0-0 (0-0)
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl - Kristin Bengtsson, Jane Törnqvist, Hanna Marklund, Sara Larsson - Therese Sjögran (71 Anna Sjöström), Malin Andersson, Malin Moström, Lotta Schelin (56 Josefine Öqvist) - Hanna Ljungberg, Victoria Svensson
Finland: Satu Kunnas - Eveliina Sarapää, Sanna Valkonen, Tiina Salmén, Petra Vaelma - Minna Mustonen (71 Sanna Talonen), Anne Mäkinen, Jessica Julin, Anna-Kaisa Rantanen (90 Sanna Malaska) - Laura Kalmari, Heidi Kackur (46 Jessica Thorn)
No time to comment on this, but God, was it frustrating!
I'll be away for about week again, so no updates for a while. In case anyone would be wondering.
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl - Kristin Bengtsson, Jane Törnqvist, Hanna Marklund, Sara Larsson - Therese Sjögran (71 Anna Sjöström), Malin Andersson, Malin Moström, Lotta Schelin (56 Josefine Öqvist) - Hanna Ljungberg, Victoria Svensson
Finland: Satu Kunnas - Eveliina Sarapää, Sanna Valkonen, Tiina Salmén, Petra Vaelma - Minna Mustonen (71 Sanna Talonen), Anne Mäkinen, Jessica Julin, Anna-Kaisa Rantanen (90 Sanna Malaska) - Laura Kalmari, Heidi Kackur (46 Jessica Thorn)
No time to comment on this, but God, was it frustrating!
I'll be away for about week again, so no updates for a while. In case anyone would be wondering.
European Championships: Player interviews
A lot of articles that is not directly connected to the games in England are found in the papers. Malmö's local paper Sydsvenskan talks to former Malmö FF player Heidi Kackur on why she left Malmö: "Last season was no good. I didn't get along with the coach, we didn't communicate and I didn't get any confidence from him. I had to leave." Getting a full time pro contract with Kopparbergs/Göteborg didn't hurt, though. She also says that the increased number of players playing abroad, particulary in Sweden, is to thank for the improved quality of Finland's national team the last years, culminating in the first ever finnish (men or women) championship finals. "But the swedish players keep taunting us (all group A teams are staying at the same hotel), saying we're just here to learn and will return home after a week."
Sydsvenskan: Flytten från MFF lyfte Kackur
Victoria Svensson talks about big problems handling the intense attention to her person after the 2003 World Cup. "I said yes to almost every proposal from the media and almost burned out". She now has a mental who helps her deal with the pressure of getting football, media and personal life working together. "I am more in control now".
Svenska Dagbladet: VM-succén höll på att knäcka Victoria
Göteborgsposten: Victoria tillbaka på allvar
Sydsvenskan: Flytten från MFF lyfte Kackur
Victoria Svensson talks about big problems handling the intense attention to her person after the 2003 World Cup. "I said yes to almost every proposal from the media and almost burned out". She now has a mental who helps her deal with the pressure of getting football, media and personal life working together. "I am more in control now".
Svenska Dagbladet: VM-succén höll på att knäcka Victoria
Göteborgsposten: Victoria tillbaka på allvar
European Championships: Sweden - Finland pre game
Not only is Finland a side that Sweden is used to meet, half the finnish line-up plays in Damallsvenskan. In Umeå IK alone there are three. "It will be really fun to play them, since we know them so well", says Hanna Marklund. Defender Sara Larsson is not worried: "We've started tournaments much worse than this and still managed to do well" and believes Sweden will defeat both Finland and England.
Richard Holmlund, former Umeå IK coach, is responsible for scouting Finland. "We should win 7 or 8 matches out of 10, but we have to watch out for their central line Valkonen - Mäkinen - Kalmari". Playing fast and wide, keeping the ball on the ground and an agressive preassure seems to be the solution for Sweden, according to Ljungberg, Moström and Törnqvist. And it is 29 years since Finland last defeated Sweden.
There is, unlike the game against Denmark, a certain amount of trash talk, most probably because so many of the players in the opposing teams know each other. So you can find a bit of talk about who's gonna eat who alive, and who's gonna shut whose mouth.
"Losing to Finland isn't even on the map", says Linköping youngsters Josefine Öqvist and Caroline Seger, but continues "God, it would be embarrasing if we lost. We can't go back home if we do."
Västerbottens Folkblad: I dag är vännerna fiender
Värmlands Folkblad: Larsson säker på seger mot Finland
TV4: Victoria Svensson interview and Tina Nordlund analysis (video clip)
SVT: Sverige måste vinna mot Finland, interview with Finlands coach (clip), talks with finnish players in Sweden (clip)
Svenska Dagbladet: Svensk koll ska hindra finsk pinne
Expressen: Så ska Sverige stoppa Finlands stjärnor
Expressen: ”Ska täppa till käften på dem”
Dagens Nyheter: Hanna leder de svenska försvaret
Dagens Nyheter: Kalmari: "Vi har en stor chans att vinna"
Dagens Nyheter: 29 år sedan Finland vann sist
Corren: Rantanen tror på seger mot Sverige i kväll
Corren: Fotbollstjejerna tillbaka i verkligheten
Aftonbladet: ”Jag vågar inte komma hem...”
Aftonbladet: Jossan perfekt mot Finland - enligt henne själv
Aftonbladet: Bank: Spela svenskt - då blir det seger mot Finland
Richard Holmlund, former Umeå IK coach, is responsible for scouting Finland. "We should win 7 or 8 matches out of 10, but we have to watch out for their central line Valkonen - Mäkinen - Kalmari". Playing fast and wide, keeping the ball on the ground and an agressive preassure seems to be the solution for Sweden, according to Ljungberg, Moström and Törnqvist. And it is 29 years since Finland last defeated Sweden.
There is, unlike the game against Denmark, a certain amount of trash talk, most probably because so many of the players in the opposing teams know each other. So you can find a bit of talk about who's gonna eat who alive, and who's gonna shut whose mouth.
"Losing to Finland isn't even on the map", says Linköping youngsters Josefine Öqvist and Caroline Seger, but continues "God, it would be embarrasing if we lost. We can't go back home if we do."
Västerbottens Folkblad: I dag är vännerna fiender
Värmlands Folkblad: Larsson säker på seger mot Finland
TV4: Victoria Svensson interview and Tina Nordlund analysis (video clip)
SVT: Sverige måste vinna mot Finland, interview with Finlands coach (clip), talks with finnish players in Sweden (clip)
Svenska Dagbladet: Svensk koll ska hindra finsk pinne
Expressen: Så ska Sverige stoppa Finlands stjärnor
Expressen: ”Ska täppa till käften på dem”
Dagens Nyheter: Hanna leder de svenska försvaret
Dagens Nyheter: Kalmari: "Vi har en stor chans att vinna"
Dagens Nyheter: 29 år sedan Finland vann sist
Corren: Rantanen tror på seger mot Sverige i kväll
Corren: Fotbollstjejerna tillbaka i verkligheten
Aftonbladet: ”Jag vågar inte komma hem...”
Aftonbladet: Jossan perfekt mot Finland - enligt henne själv
Aftonbladet: Bank: Spela svenskt - då blir det seger mot Finland
European Championships: 75,000 bonus for swedish gold
The national team's player council (Hanna Ljungberg, Malin Moström, Caroline Jönsson and Malin Andersson) and the swedish FA has finished negotiations concerning player compensation for the European Championship. Both sides says they are satisfied, even if no one can comment on figures. The FA says this is the best deal ever for a swedish women's national team. Tabloid Expressen estimates the bonus for a gold to be approximately SEK 75,000.
Expressen: Nu får dom sin drömbonus
Expressen: Nu får dom sin drömbonus
European Championships: Post and pre game talk
Disappointment, not with the result but with their own play, was the predominant feeling in the swedish camp after the Denmark game. The first 30 minutes worked well, but then they lost confidence in the midfield and began to resort to long balls. A couple of the few players that got passing grades in the press was goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl in her championship debut and defender Hanna Marklund. A major post game subject was the referee's decision when Therese Sjögran was brought down Denmark's keeper. Hanna Ljungberg was convinced it should have been a penalty while head coach Domanski Lyfors commented that things like this happened and usually evened out over a tournament.
Västerbottens Folkblad: Premiär i moll – som vanligt
Sydsvenskan: 1–1 mellan Sverige och Danmark
SVT: Short Caroline Jönsson interview (RealVideo)
Göteborgsposten: Än tror Moström på EM-guld
Expressen: Sverige rasar mot domaren
Dagens Nyheter: Vickan: "Vi vet att vi kan bättre än vi visade"
Young midfielder Caroline Seger could have wished for a better championship debut; picked off the field after being more or less invisible for 55 minutes. She was definitely not satisfied with her own performance and thinks her substitution was justified. Her more experienced team mates urged her not to read the papers after the match. "It's nice to read when there is something positive, but I can tell myself when I'm bad", Seger commented.
Aftonbladet: Undviker läsa tidningar
Sydsvenskan: Besviken Seger undvek tidningarna
Expressen: "Det var en chock"
Dagens Nyheter: En debut som Seger sent ska glömma
Corren: Dagen efter -- en dag av eftertanke för Seger
Finland's midfielder Jessica Julin said she was not sad after their extratime defeat to England, she was mad and angry. Finland didn't start good, they were much to nervous in their first ever championship match and made easy mistakes, but did great to come back from being 2 goals down and deserved the draw. No one in the finish team thinks it will be hard to focus on the next game though. "You just have to say Sweden and we're all set". The fact that six finnish players have club mates in the swedish team will of course help.
Corren: Rantanens mål var förgäves
Vasabladet: Julin arg och förbannad
Vasabladet: Kalmari trodde sig fixat poäng
Vasabladet: Tränaren: Det känns grymt
Expressen: Psykkriget: ”Vi ska äta upp dom”
Hufvudstadsbladet: Kampen på mittfältet avgör Finlands öde
Västerbottens Folkblad: Premiär i moll – som vanligt
Sydsvenskan: 1–1 mellan Sverige och Danmark
SVT: Short Caroline Jönsson interview (RealVideo)
Göteborgsposten: Än tror Moström på EM-guld
Expressen: Sverige rasar mot domaren
Dagens Nyheter: Vickan: "Vi vet att vi kan bättre än vi visade"
Young midfielder Caroline Seger could have wished for a better championship debut; picked off the field after being more or less invisible for 55 minutes. She was definitely not satisfied with her own performance and thinks her substitution was justified. Her more experienced team mates urged her not to read the papers after the match. "It's nice to read when there is something positive, but I can tell myself when I'm bad", Seger commented.
Aftonbladet: Undviker läsa tidningar
Sydsvenskan: Besviken Seger undvek tidningarna
Expressen: "Det var en chock"
Dagens Nyheter: En debut som Seger sent ska glömma
Corren: Dagen efter -- en dag av eftertanke för Seger
Finland's midfielder Jessica Julin said she was not sad after their extratime defeat to England, she was mad and angry. Finland didn't start good, they were much to nervous in their first ever championship match and made easy mistakes, but did great to come back from being 2 goals down and deserved the draw. No one in the finish team thinks it will be hard to focus on the next game though. "You just have to say Sweden and we're all set". The fact that six finnish players have club mates in the swedish team will of course help.
Corren: Rantanens mål var förgäves
Vasabladet: Julin arg och förbannad
Vasabladet: Kalmari trodde sig fixat poäng
Vasabladet: Tränaren: Det känns grymt
Expressen: Psykkriget: ”Vi ska äta upp dom”
Hufvudstadsbladet: Kampen på mittfältet avgör Finlands öde
European Championships: Sweden - Denmark
Sweden - Denmark 1 - 1 (1-1)
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl - Sara Larsson, Jane Törnqvist, Hanna Marklund, Kristin Bengtsson - Lotta Schelin (84 Josefine Öqvist), Frida Östberg, Malin Moström, Caroline Seger (55 Therese Sjögran) - Victoria Svensson, Hanna Ljungberg.
Goals: 1-0 Hanna Ljungberg (20), 1-1 Johanna Rasmussen (28)
The first game curse continues - Sweden haven't managed to win their opener in a major tournament since 1997. But at least it wasn't a defeat this time. The key to the match was winning the midfield, which made Domanski Lyfors return to the traditional midfield diamond with Frida Östberg in the defensive position. Sweden started well, agressive play, starting their counters high up on the danish half and creating several good scoring opportunities. But by the end of the first half Denmark began winning the midfield battle and were dangerous coming down the wings. Sweden did a couple of player moves and a substitution trying to better the midfield play, but it only worked partly. The second half as a whole belonged to Denmark with a faster and better passing play. Even if the danish players were all smiles after the match and the swedish rather disappointed, Sweden should be the ones most satisfied with the result.
Pregame:
SVT - Star wars inspired clip on the build up for the Denmark clash (Windows media)
Post game:
Aftonbladet: Oavgjord EM-premiär
Expressen: Dålig start i EM-premiären
Dagens Nyheter: Sverige kryssade i EM-premiären
SVT: Oavgjort för damerna i EM-premiär
If you want to get your match reports and other stuff in english I recommend UEFA's official site, BBC and Georgina Turner's blog at the Guardian.
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl - Sara Larsson, Jane Törnqvist, Hanna Marklund, Kristin Bengtsson - Lotta Schelin (84 Josefine Öqvist), Frida Östberg, Malin Moström, Caroline Seger (55 Therese Sjögran) - Victoria Svensson, Hanna Ljungberg.
Goals: 1-0 Hanna Ljungberg (20), 1-1 Johanna Rasmussen (28)
The first game curse continues - Sweden haven't managed to win their opener in a major tournament since 1997. But at least it wasn't a defeat this time. The key to the match was winning the midfield, which made Domanski Lyfors return to the traditional midfield diamond with Frida Östberg in the defensive position. Sweden started well, agressive play, starting their counters high up on the danish half and creating several good scoring opportunities. But by the end of the first half Denmark began winning the midfield battle and were dangerous coming down the wings. Sweden did a couple of player moves and a substitution trying to better the midfield play, but it only worked partly. The second half as a whole belonged to Denmark with a faster and better passing play. Even if the danish players were all smiles after the match and the swedish rather disappointed, Sweden should be the ones most satisfied with the result.
Pregame:
SVT - Star wars inspired clip on the build up for the Denmark clash (Windows media)
Post game:
Aftonbladet: Oavgjord EM-premiär
Expressen: Dålig start i EM-premiären
Dagens Nyheter: Sverige kryssade i EM-premiären
SVT: Oavgjort för damerna i EM-premiär
If you want to get your match reports and other stuff in english I recommend UEFA's official site, BBC and Georgina Turner's blog at the Guardian.
Lilie Persson to be national team assistant coach
Lilie Persson, presently assistant coach with Djurgården/Älvsjö, has been named Thomas Dennerby's successor as assistant to the national team coach. Persson, who has been coaching AIK's women, has 16 seasons as a player in Damallsvenskan and, just as Dennerby, spent most of her player career in Hammarby.
Promising rehearsal against Canada
Sweden - Canada 3-1 (2-0)
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl - Sara Larsson, Hanna Marklund, Jane Törnqvist, Kristin Bengtsson - Anna Sjöström (58 Frida Östberg), Malin Moström, Caroline Seger (71 Malin Andersson), Lotta Schelin - Victoria Svensson, Hanna Ljungberg (69 Maria Karlsson)
Goals: 1-0 Hanna Ljungberg (13), 2-0 Victoria Svensson (17), 3-0 Malin Moström (63), 3-1 Christine Sinclair (70).
Attendance: 2,503
A convincing performance from the swedish side in their last match before the European Championships. Canada, that defeated Denmark 4-3 only a few days earlier, was never any real threat. Particulary nice to see the cooperation between Hanna Ljungberg and Victoria Svensson working good. Marika Domanski Lyfors also fielded a straight midfield without a defensive mid. Having Malin Moström and Carolina Seger, players that are both happy to push forward, in the centre mid turned out good and a very reliable back line took care of what flaws there might have been in the defensive play. Jane Törnqvist probably worked her way back to a starting position after a less than convincing last 6 months. Josefine Öqvist and Therese Sjögran both rested because of minor injuries.
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl - Sara Larsson, Hanna Marklund, Jane Törnqvist, Kristin Bengtsson - Anna Sjöström (58 Frida Östberg), Malin Moström, Caroline Seger (71 Malin Andersson), Lotta Schelin - Victoria Svensson, Hanna Ljungberg (69 Maria Karlsson)
Goals: 1-0 Hanna Ljungberg (13), 2-0 Victoria Svensson (17), 3-0 Malin Moström (63), 3-1 Christine Sinclair (70).
Attendance: 2,503
A convincing performance from the swedish side in their last match before the European Championships. Canada, that defeated Denmark 4-3 only a few days earlier, was never any real threat. Particulary nice to see the cooperation between Hanna Ljungberg and Victoria Svensson working good. Marika Domanski Lyfors also fielded a straight midfield without a defensive mid. Having Malin Moström and Carolina Seger, players that are both happy to push forward, in the centre mid turned out good and a very reliable back line took care of what flaws there might have been in the defensive play. Jane Törnqvist probably worked her way back to a starting position after a less than convincing last 6 months. Josefine Öqvist and Therese Sjögran both rested because of minor injuries.
Svensk Fotboll
SVT: Svensson och Ljungberg bröt måltorkan , Match clip, windows media
TV4: Match clip
Dagens Nyheter: "Det här såg lovande ut"
Dagens Nyheter: Bra besked för kaptenen
SVT: Svensson och Ljungberg bröt måltorkan , Match clip, windows media
TV4: Match clip
Dagens Nyheter: "Det här såg lovande ut"
Dagens Nyheter: Bra besked för kaptenen
Swedish squad for European championships announced
National team head coach Marika Domanski Lyfors announced the 20 player squad for the European Championships in England. A lot of experienced players, 6 with more than 100 caps, with a few young firsttimers mixed in: defender Anna Paulsson (Umeå), who has done a great Damallsvenskan season so far, and Linköping midfielder Caroline Seger, probably mostly picked because of her Algarve Cup performance, and winger/attacker Maria Karlsson, who has been an essential piece in Linköpings successfull attack, and Kopparbergs/Göteborg's striker Lotta Schelin. The entire squadlist can be found here.
Most of the press focus on the newcomers, a lot on Caroline Seger who likes to talk big: "Everybody is going to know who Caroline Seger is after the competition. I'm going to decide the entire championship."
Svensk Fotboll
Aftonbladet: Glädjebesked för Jossan – klar för EM
Aftonbladet: Seger: Jag ska avgöra hela EM
Corren: Marias EM-plats var inget skämt
Dagens Nyheter: Seger ska bli Marikas joker
Expressen: Josefine Öqvist med i EM-truppen
Göteborgsposten: Svåra val för Domanski Lyfors
SVT: "Samma känsla som inför VM", video clip with player interviews
Sydsvenskan: Sjögran vill inte prata guld
Västerbottens Folkblad: Sex UIK-spelare uttagna till EM
Most of the press focus on the newcomers, a lot on Caroline Seger who likes to talk big: "Everybody is going to know who Caroline Seger is after the competition. I'm going to decide the entire championship."
Svensk Fotboll
Aftonbladet: Glädjebesked för Jossan – klar för EM
Aftonbladet: Seger: Jag ska avgöra hela EM
Corren: Marias EM-plats var inget skämt
Dagens Nyheter: Seger ska bli Marikas joker
Expressen: Josefine Öqvist med i EM-truppen
Göteborgsposten: Svåra val för Domanski Lyfors
SVT: "Samma känsla som inför VM", video clip with player interviews
Sydsvenskan: Sjögran vill inte prata guld
Västerbottens Folkblad: Sex UIK-spelare uttagna till EM
Safe win over Holland for Sweden
Sweden - Holland 2-0 (2-0)
Sweden: Caroline Jönsson Malmö - Sara Larsson Linköping, Hanna Marklund Sunnanå (46 Karolina Westberg Umeå), Anna-Maria Eriksson Kolbotn (Norway), Kristin Bengtsson Djurgården/Älvsjö (46 Sara Thunebro Djurgården/Älvsjö) - Therese Sjögran Malmö (46 Maria Karlsson Linköping) , Malin Moström Umeå (79 Linda Fagerström Djurgården/Älvsjö), Malin Andersson Malmö (53 Nilla Fischer Malmö), Anna Sjöström Umeå - Lotta Schelin Kopparbergs/Göteborg, Josefine Öqvist Linköping (63 Salina Olsson Hammarby)
Goals: 1-0 Sara Larsson (29), 2-0 Öqvist (32)
Attendance: 4023
Sweden dominated throughout the match (something like 60-40 in possession, and I think 6-0 in corners), but had sometimes problems playing through the deep dutch defense. They also didn't manage to keep up the pressure the whole match, but had a couple of really good periods in the middle of the first half and towards the end of the match. The first goal was from a well placed corner kick by Malin Andersson that Sara Larsson headed in with the back of her head. The second emanated from a misunderstanding between Holland's goalkeeper Wissink and a defender that resulted in a loose ball that the always alert Josefine Öqvist placed in goal.
Sweden: Caroline Jönsson Malmö - Sara Larsson Linköping, Hanna Marklund Sunnanå (46 Karolina Westberg Umeå), Anna-Maria Eriksson Kolbotn (Norway), Kristin Bengtsson Djurgården/Älvsjö (46 Sara Thunebro Djurgården/Älvsjö) - Therese Sjögran Malmö (46 Maria Karlsson Linköping) , Malin Moström Umeå (79 Linda Fagerström Djurgården/Älvsjö), Malin Andersson Malmö (53 Nilla Fischer Malmö), Anna Sjöström Umeå - Lotta Schelin Kopparbergs/Göteborg, Josefine Öqvist Linköping (63 Salina Olsson Hammarby)
Goals: 1-0 Sara Larsson (29), 2-0 Öqvist (32)
Attendance: 4023
Sweden dominated throughout the match (something like 60-40 in possession, and I think 6-0 in corners), but had sometimes problems playing through the deep dutch defense. They also didn't manage to keep up the pressure the whole match, but had a couple of really good periods in the middle of the first half and towards the end of the match. The first goal was from a well placed corner kick by Malin Andersson that Sara Larsson headed in with the back of her head. The second emanated from a misunderstanding between Holland's goalkeeper Wissink and a defender that resulted in a loose ball that the always alert Josefine Öqvist placed in goal.
Malin Moström was deservedly named player of the match. The new forward couple Lotta Schelin and Josefine Öqvist worked ok - one tall player that can hold the ball and turn her defender and another fast player that never hesitates to run for the ball at even the slightest of opportunities. Hanna Marklund showed authority in the defense. All in all an ok performance from the swedish side, but against better opponents they need a better pace in the game and to take better care of their scoring opportunities.
Svensk Fotboll
SVT: Tre minuter räckte för svenskorna
Dagens Nyheter: Sverige vann sista genrepet
Expressen: Svenska fotbollsdamerna vaknade till liv
TV4: Match clip
Svensk Fotboll
SVT: Tre minuter räckte för svenskorna
Dagens Nyheter: Sverige vann sista genrepet
Expressen: Svenska fotbollsdamerna vaknade till liv
TV4: Match clip
Injury keeps Hanna Ljungberg out of Holland match
Hanna Ljungberg will not play in the warm-up game against Holland tonight. "It's not a big deal", says Hanna Ljungberg, who left the field in the Denmark match last saturday with thigh pains. "But it's feels safer to rest the leg. There are more important matches coming up".
SVT: Ljungberg skadad missar landskamp
Sydsvenskan: Ljumskarna stoppar Hanna Ljungberg
Västerbottens Folkblad: Hanna Ljungberg missar landskamp
SVT: Ljungberg skadad missar landskamp
Sydsvenskan: Ljumskarna stoppar Hanna Ljungberg
Västerbottens Folkblad: Hanna Ljungberg missar landskamp
Goalless draw in Sweden - Denmark friendly
Sweden - Denmark 0-0 (0-0)
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl Linköping - Sara Larsson Linköping, Hanna Marklund Sunnanå, Malin Nykvist Djurgården/Älvsjö (46 Karolina Westberg Umeå), Kristin Bengtsson Djurgården/Älvsjö - Therese Sjögran Malmö (63 Linda Fagerström Djurgården/Älvsjö), Malin Moström Umeå, Nilla Fischer Malmö (45 Frida Östberg Umeå), Lotta Schelin Kopparbergs/Göteborg - Josefine Öqvist Linköping (63 Maria Aronsson Linköping), Hanna Ljungberg Umeå (77 Salina Olsson Hammarby).
Attendance: 2361
Both Denmark and Sweden had before the match stated that this match was to try out players for the final European Championship squads. Both teams started without several of their big names, which seemed to effect Denmark the most, having less depth in their squad than Sweden. Sweden dominated the first half, playing with high pressure and mostly killing Denmark's attempts already in the midfield. Sweden played something that looked more like 4-2-3-1, with Josefine Öqvist (enthusiastic, running on everything but need to be sharper in the finish) at the top, then the announced 4-4-2. Hanna Ljungberg seemed to have some defensive assignments, mainly trying to disturb the communication between the danish defense and midfielder Louise Hansen, which worked out fine but made her rather invisible in the forward play. In the second Denmark subbed in first team players like Merete Pedersen and Cathrine Paaske Sørensen, and the match became more even. Still very few danish dangerous shots. Positive from the swedish side was Lotta Schelin as technical winger and Nilla Fischer teaming up with Malin Moström in the centre mid. And for you who doesn't read swedish: it's the danish national team coach who calls Lotta Schelin "a female Zlatan".
Svensk Fotboll
Corren: Öqvist gjorde det mesta – utom mål
Sydsvenskan: Starkare Nilla Fischer ser en EM-biljett som ren bonus
Göteborgsposten: Mållöst mot EM-motståndaren
Expressen: "Hon är en kvinnlig Zlatan"
Dagens Nyheter: Prisad Schelin liknas vid Zlatan
Aftonbladet: Jossan: Jag tänkte sluta
SVT: highlights clip
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl Linköping - Sara Larsson Linköping, Hanna Marklund Sunnanå, Malin Nykvist Djurgården/Älvsjö (46 Karolina Westberg Umeå), Kristin Bengtsson Djurgården/Älvsjö - Therese Sjögran Malmö (63 Linda Fagerström Djurgården/Älvsjö), Malin Moström Umeå, Nilla Fischer Malmö (45 Frida Östberg Umeå), Lotta Schelin Kopparbergs/Göteborg - Josefine Öqvist Linköping (63 Maria Aronsson Linköping), Hanna Ljungberg Umeå (77 Salina Olsson Hammarby).
Attendance: 2361
Both Denmark and Sweden had before the match stated that this match was to try out players for the final European Championship squads. Both teams started without several of their big names, which seemed to effect Denmark the most, having less depth in their squad than Sweden. Sweden dominated the first half, playing with high pressure and mostly killing Denmark's attempts already in the midfield. Sweden played something that looked more like 4-2-3-1, with Josefine Öqvist (enthusiastic, running on everything but need to be sharper in the finish) at the top, then the announced 4-4-2. Hanna Ljungberg seemed to have some defensive assignments, mainly trying to disturb the communication between the danish defense and midfielder Louise Hansen, which worked out fine but made her rather invisible in the forward play. In the second Denmark subbed in first team players like Merete Pedersen and Cathrine Paaske Sørensen, and the match became more even. Still very few danish dangerous shots. Positive from the swedish side was Lotta Schelin as technical winger and Nilla Fischer teaming up with Malin Moström in the centre mid. And for you who doesn't read swedish: it's the danish national team coach who calls Lotta Schelin "a female Zlatan".
Svensk Fotboll
Corren: Öqvist gjorde det mesta – utom mål
Sydsvenskan: Starkare Nilla Fischer ser en EM-biljett som ren bonus
Göteborgsposten: Mållöst mot EM-motståndaren
Expressen: "Hon är en kvinnlig Zlatan"
Dagens Nyheter: Prisad Schelin liknas vid Zlatan
Aftonbladet: Jossan: Jag tänkte sluta
SVT: highlights clip
Player reactions to national team coach switch
The swedish national team players, that have commented om the head coach switch has done so in fairly cautious terms. National team captain Malin Moström thinks Dennerby is a good tactician and knows a lot about the women's game. Hanna Ljungberg and Malin Andersson says that it's always good with a new voice and new ideas. And Victoria Svensson adds that as long as he doesn't take on Marika Domanski Lyfors' tradition of singing to her players after a successfull game (she has heard him sing), she's sure it will work out all right.
Dennerby himself, although he thinks it's premature to air his personal opinions on how to coach the team, talks about what is traditional swedish fooball values; team building, organization, defense, well defined roles for the players. He says he likes a good passing play, but he wants the passes deep into the attacking zone.
Marika Domanski Lyfors says she's of course disappointed, but respect the FA's decision.
Marika Domanski Lyfors says she's of course disappointed, but respect the FA's decision.
SVT: Dennerby tar över damlandslaget , clip
TV4: clip
Trelleborgs Allehanda: Marika: Klart jag är besviken
Trelleborgs Allehanda: Guldmakaren tar över
Sydsvenskan: Dennerby vill inte ge programförklaring
Sydsvenskan: Dennerby tar över damlandslaget
TV4: clip
Trelleborgs Allehanda: Marika: Klart jag är besviken
Trelleborgs Allehanda: Guldmakaren tar över
Sydsvenskan: Dennerby vill inte ge programförklaring
Sydsvenskan: Dennerby tar över damlandslaget
Thomas Dennerby next national team head coach
Thomas Dennerby, presently assistant to national team head coch Marika Domanski Lyfors, will replace Marika as head coach after the European Championships. Before Dennerby took up his position with the national team last fall he successfully coached Djurgården/Älvsjö to two consecutive swedish championships.
Marika Domanski Lyfors will be responsible for the U21 team and for talent development.
Svensk Fotboll
Marika Domanski Lyfors will be responsible for the U21 team and for talent development.
Svensk Fotboll
More national team injury cancellations
Djurgården/Älvsjö forward Sara Johansson, who suffered a knee injury in her teams loss to Linköping last weekend, will not be able to take part in the national team's matches against Denmark and Holland. She will be replaced by Linköping's Maria Aronsson.
With both Victoria Svensson and Sara Johansson on the injury list, Djurgården/Älvsjö are facing problems in the attack. The next matches for the swedish champions are Umeå in Damallsvenskan and Turbine Potsdam in the UEFA Women's Cup final and it will be hard to replace Sara and Victoria if they are not back in form until then.
Svensk Fotboll
Expressen: Skador fortsätter drabba damlandslaget
With both Victoria Svensson and Sara Johansson on the injury list, Djurgården/Älvsjö are facing problems in the attack. The next matches for the swedish champions are Umeå in Damallsvenskan and Turbine Potsdam in the UEFA Women's Cup final and it will be hard to replace Sara and Victoria if they are not back in form until then.
Svensk Fotboll
Expressen: Skador fortsätter drabba damlandslaget
Öqvist and Hammarström to replace injury victims
Josefine Öqvist (Linköping) and Kristin Hammarström (KIF Örebro) has been named as replacements for Victoria Svensson (Djurgården/Älvsjö) and Umeå's goalkeeper Sofia Lundgren in the national team that will play warm-up games against Denmark and Holland. Svensson and Lundgren both sustained injuries in Damallsvenskan matches this weekend.
Svensk Fotboll
Svensk Fotboll
Victoria Svensson injury keeps her out of warm-up games
The injury Victoria Svensson sustained in Djurgården/Älvsjö's defeat against Linköping will keep her from playing for at least ten days, keeping her out of the national team's warm-up games against Denmark and Holland. Djurgården's other national team forward Sara Johansson, who also had to leave the match due to injuries, will have a medical examination of her knee tomorrow.
Expressen: Vickan skadad - kan missa EM
SVT: EM i fara för Vickan - missar genrep
Expressen: Vickan skadad - kan missa EM
SVT: EM i fara för Vickan - missar genrep
27 players in national team pool for Denmark and Holland games
National team coach Marika Domanski Lyfors named 27 players for the warm-up friendlies against Denmark and Holland in early May. It is not the squad for the Euros, that will be a 20 player squad, but if you're not in here you're probably not going to England.
Goalkeepers: Caroline Jönsson Malmö FF, Hedvig Lindahl Linköpings FC, Sofia Lundgren Umeå IK, Maja Åström Djurgården/Älvsjö
Defenders: Kristin Bengtsson Djurgården/Älvsjö, Anna-Maria Eriksson Kolbotn IL (Norway), Sara Larsson Linköping FC, Hanna Marklund Sunnanå SK, Malin Nykvist Djurgården/Älvsjö, Anna Paulson Umeå IK, Sara Thunebro Djurgården/Älvsjö, Jane Törnqvist Djurgården/Älvsjö, Karolina Westberg Umeå IK
Midfielders: Malin Andersson Malmö FF, Linda Fagerström Djurgården/Älvsjö, Nilla Fischer Malmö FF, Maria Karlsson Linköpings FC, Malin Moström Umeå IK, Caroline Seger Linköpings FC, Therese Sjögran Malmö FF, Anna Sjöström Umeå IK, Frida Östberg Umeå IK
Forwards: Sara Johansson Djurgården/Älvsjö, Hanna Ljungberg Umeå IK, Salina Olsson Hammarby IF, Lotta Schelin Kopparb./Göteborg FC, Victoria Svensson Djurgården/Älvsjö
Goalkeepers: Caroline Jönsson Malmö FF, Hedvig Lindahl Linköpings FC, Sofia Lundgren Umeå IK, Maja Åström Djurgården/Älvsjö
Defenders: Kristin Bengtsson Djurgården/Älvsjö, Anna-Maria Eriksson Kolbotn IL (Norway), Sara Larsson Linköping FC, Hanna Marklund Sunnanå SK, Malin Nykvist Djurgården/Älvsjö, Anna Paulson Umeå IK, Sara Thunebro Djurgården/Älvsjö, Jane Törnqvist Djurgården/Älvsjö, Karolina Westberg Umeå IK
Midfielders: Malin Andersson Malmö FF, Linda Fagerström Djurgården/Älvsjö, Nilla Fischer Malmö FF, Maria Karlsson Linköpings FC, Malin Moström Umeå IK, Caroline Seger Linköpings FC, Therese Sjögran Malmö FF, Anna Sjöström Umeå IK, Frida Östberg Umeå IK
Forwards: Sara Johansson Djurgården/Älvsjö, Hanna Ljungberg Umeå IK, Salina Olsson Hammarby IF, Lotta Schelin Kopparb./Göteborg FC, Victoria Svensson Djurgården/Älvsjö
Qualification groups for WC 2007 drawn
"We should win this group", commented national team head coach Marika Lyfors Domanski as Sweden was drawn together with Iceland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Belorussia in their qualification group for the 2007 World Cup in China.
Svensk Fotboll: Dam: Kvalet till VM lottat
Svensk Fotboll: Dam: Kvalet till VM lottat