Vidyoyo
The bad "V"
Sweden (Group E)
Fixtures:
The delay to Euro 2020 has caused something of a headache for Sweden, confusing a side that previously struck success with a clear defence-first, counter-attacking style. Now they’re struggling to transition towards a new identity, provoked by the emergence of a more attacking generation of talent.
The Euro 92 semi-finalists strolled to Euro 2020 qualification with only one defeat, but results since then reflect the ongoing battle faced by coach Janne Andersson in figuring out his new crop of players. Having previously been a nightmare for top teams to break down, Sweden were steamrolled by France and Portugal in the Nations League; their only win came at home to Croatia, the rest ending in defeat.
Yet if Andersson can balance better forward play with some of their old quality at the back, then he can tap into a huge amount of potential. Alexander Isak’s encouraging second campaign with Real Sociedad – where he is now first choice up front and has been scoring freely in 2020/21 – offers huge cause for optimism, while young playmaker Dejan Kulusevski has stepped up at Juventus to prove his capabilities at the highest level.
Who is Sweden's best player? (Voted for by GoldenBlunder)
Victor Lindelof
A strong and capable defender is essential for Sweden to go far in the tournament and Lindelof’s continued success in the Premier League shows that the 'Iceman' is not to be taken lightly. Finding a way to criticise him on the internet is easy but getting past him will be a different matter. Even without his usual club teammate to steady the back-line, Victor has shown time and time again he's the master of backtracking 30 yards towards his own goal.
Sweden Euro 2021 26-man Squad:
Fixtures:
- Spain vs Sweden - Tuesday June 14, 8pm (Seville)
- Sweden vs Slovakia - Friday June 18, 2pm (Petrograd)
- Sweden vs Poland - Wednesday June 23, 5pm (Petrograd)
The delay to Euro 2020 has caused something of a headache for Sweden, confusing a side that previously struck success with a clear defence-first, counter-attacking style. Now they’re struggling to transition towards a new identity, provoked by the emergence of a more attacking generation of talent.
The Euro 92 semi-finalists strolled to Euro 2020 qualification with only one defeat, but results since then reflect the ongoing battle faced by coach Janne Andersson in figuring out his new crop of players. Having previously been a nightmare for top teams to break down, Sweden were steamrolled by France and Portugal in the Nations League; their only win came at home to Croatia, the rest ending in defeat.
Yet if Andersson can balance better forward play with some of their old quality at the back, then he can tap into a huge amount of potential. Alexander Isak’s encouraging second campaign with Real Sociedad – where he is now first choice up front and has been scoring freely in 2020/21 – offers huge cause for optimism, while young playmaker Dejan Kulusevski has stepped up at Juventus to prove his capabilities at the highest level.
Who is Sweden's best player? (Voted for by GoldenBlunder)
Victor Lindelof
A strong and capable defender is essential for Sweden to go far in the tournament and Lindelof’s continued success in the Premier League shows that the 'Iceman' is not to be taken lightly. Finding a way to criticise him on the internet is easy but getting past him will be a different matter. Even without his usual club teammate to steady the back-line, Victor has shown time and time again he's the master of backtracking 30 yards towards his own goal.
Sweden Euro 2021 26-man Squad:
- GK: Robin Olsen (Everton)
- GK: Karl-Johan Johnsson (Copenhagen)
- GK: Kristoffer Nordfeldt (Genclerbirligi)
- DF: Mikael Lustig (AIK)
- DF: Ludwig Augustinsson (Werder Bremen)
- DF: Victor Lindelof (Manchester United)
- DF: Marcus Danielson (Dalian Yifang)
- DF: Martin Olsson (Häcken)
- DF: Pontus Jansson (Brentford)
- DF: Filip Helander (Rangers)
- DF: Emil Krafth (Newcastle United)
- DF: Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborgs IF)
- MF: Sebastian Larsson (AIK)
- MF: Albin Ekdal (Sampdoria)
- MF: Emil Forsberg (RB Leipzig)
- MF: Ken Sema (Watford)
- MF: Viktor Claesson (Krasnodar)
- MF: Jens Cajuste (Midtjylland)
- MF: Mattias Svanberg (Bologna)
- MF: Kristoffer Olsson (Krasnodar)
- MF: Dejan Kulusevski (Juventus)
- MF: Gustav Svensson (Guangzhou)
- FW: Jordan Larsson (Spartak Moscow)
- FW: Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad)
- FW: Robin Quaison (Mainz)
- FW: Marcus Berg (Krasnodar)
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