Phone call from Jon Dahl Tomasson came unexpectedly.
I was incredibly proud and happy. It's something that one has dreamed of since being little. To get to represent one's country and play for Sweden. Now I will also do the job, he says.
The 26-year-old left one or the other desperate defender behind when he wreaked havoc as worst in allsvenskan with Elfsborg. Would his legs also carry him in the Bundesliga, one of the top leagues in football?
Yes.
Bernhardsson was part of Holstein Kiel's promotion to the top league a year ago, but in the fall, it's second division that applies again.
- It's a shame that we got relegated, but individually I got to come in at that level, play several matches and perform a few points towards the end, he says.
Jon Dahl Tomasson has clearly fallen for the Gothenburg player's fine spring form and versatility.
- He can play on many positions. In Germany, he has played as a finisher, as a winger, as a withdrawn striker, as a wingback. An interesting player. Now we want to see him in our environment. If the players we bring in do well in training, they are worth getting a chance, says the Dane.
Spurred by Nygren
And in the Jon Dahl national team, almost nothing is impossible for those who get, can and want.
Take Benjamin Nygren. He was called in late after a withdrawal at the gathering in March. A few days later, he made his debut with a substitute appearance against Luxembourg, and then started and scored one of the goals in the 5–1 win against Northern Ireland.
It's things like that that spur players like Alexander Bernhardsson.
- Performing at a high level and meeting good players every week is clearly increasing the chances. At the same time, I wasn't expecting to get the call, says Bernhardsson.
Continues on
By the way, Nygren: He and Danish Nordsjælland are in agreement that their time together is over. Where the striker is heading is something he is extremely secretive about. No further than that will he stretch:
- It could be a move now in the summer since the contract expires in the winter.
