SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Elanga blasts: "Football is brutal"

Emil Forsberg is back in the national football team. However, Anthony Elanga - who plays for the successful team Nottingham - does not get a place in the squad for the Nations League finale. Football is tough, there is great competition, says national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson.

» Published: November 06 2024

Elanga blasts: "Football is brutal"
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/ TT

Outer Anthony Elanga, 22, has played all ten Premier League matches – seven from the start – for the successful team Nottingham, which is third in the table after the big clubs Liverpool and Manchester City.

Then he is dropped from Jon Dahl Tomasson's squad for the Nations League finale at home against Slovakia (16 November) and Azerbaijan (19 November).

Football is tough, there is great competition. Alexander Isak is back from injury and Emil Forsberg has done very well in New York Red Bulls. The decision is made due to competition reasons, says the Dane.

Tops the group

Elanga was picked already in the break against Azerbaijan in the opening match of the Nations League in early September. Since then, the 22-year-old has had to settle for a shorter substitute appearance against Estonia and now he is not in the squad at all.

Newcastle star Alexander Isak missed the October matches against Slovakia and Estonia due to a broken toe. Then, midfielder Emil Forsberg had recently made a comeback from injury, but when his New York RB recently knocked out reigning champions Columbus Crew in the MLS playoffs, the 33-year-old was influential.

Central defender Alex Douglas, Lech Poznan, who surprisingly was selected for the national team in the autumn and got playing time directly, is missing. Douglas is suspended against Slovakia and is struggling with minor injuries, according to the national team captain.

It's a combination of those things, says Tomasson about the decision not to select Douglas.

Star striker selected

The quartet Gustav Nilsson, Jens Cajuste, Robin Olsen, and Ludwig Augustinsson are not available. Nilsson and Augustinsson are injured – Cajuste needs rest and Olsen has just returned after injury.

Otherwise, Jon Dahl Tomasson presented a expected squad where, for example, Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyökeres is selected. The striker scored three goals against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

Both Sweden and Slovakia have ten points after four matches and top group 1 in the C-division of the Nations League.

Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Stoke, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK, Jacob Widell Zetterström, Derby.

Defenders: Gabriel Gudmundsson, Lille, Isak Hien, Atalanta, Emil Krafth, Newcastle, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Manchester United, Ken Sema, Watford, Eric Smith, St Pauli, Carl Starfelt, Celta Vigo, Daniel Svensson, FC Nordsjælland.

Midfielders/forwards: Yasin Ayari, Brighton, Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham, Hugo Bolin, Malmö FF, Niclas Eliasson, AEK Aten, Emil Forsberg, New York Red Bull, Viktor Gyökeres, Sporting, Alexander Isak, Newcastle, Jesper Karlström, Udinese, Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham, Hugo Larsson, Frankfurt, Sebastian Nanasi, Strasbourg, Anton Salétros, AIK.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Kirsty Coventry Makes History as First Female IOC President

Kirsty Coventry Makes History as First Female IOC President

Robin Olsen Reflects on National Team Journey Ahead of World Championship

Robin Olsen Reflects on National Team Journey Ahead of World Championship

Boston Celtics Sold for Record $6.1 Billion to Investment Consortium

Boston Celtics Sold for Record $6.1 Billion to Investment Consortium

New Threats Target Damallsvenskan Players, Swedish Stars Abroad

New Threats Target Damallsvenskan Players, Swedish Stars Abroad

Sweden Clinches Playoff Spot in World Championship with Win Over China

Sweden Clinches Playoff Spot in World Championship with Win Over China

Zeneli Brothers Set for Emotional Clash as Sweden Faces Kosovo

Zeneli Brothers Set for Emotional Clash as Sweden Faces Kosovo

Lucas Bergvall Illness Puts Luxembourg Match Start in Doubt

Lucas Bergvall Illness Puts Luxembourg Match Start in Doubt

Eddie Jordan, Former F1 Team Owner, Passes Away at 76

Eddie Jordan, Former F1 Team Owner, Passes Away at 76

Leksand Restructures Team Amid Economic Challenges

Leksand Restructures Team Amid Economic Challenges

Experts Weigh In: Who Will Claim Hockey Gold in Sweden?

Experts Weigh In: Who Will Claim Hockey Gold in Sweden?

Michelle Coleman Retires from Swimming, Embraces New Beginnings

Michelle Coleman Retires from Swimming, Embraces New Beginnings

Filip Gustavsson Shines with Fifth Shutout as Minnesota Dominates Seattle

Filip Gustavsson Shines with Fifth Shutout as Minnesota Dominates Seattle

HV71 Dominates Modo with 5-0 Victory in SHL Playoffs

HV71 Dominates Modo with 5-0 Victory in SHL Playoffs

Rolfö Shines with Key Assist in Barcelona's 4-1 Victory Over Wolfsburg

Rolfö Shines with Key Assist in Barcelona's 4-1 Victory Over Wolfsburg

Alexander Isak's Future: Can Top Clubs Afford the Billion-Kronor Star?

Alexander Isak's Future: Can Top Clubs Afford the Billion-Kronor Star?

Maja Dahlqvist Shines with Second Place Finish in Tallinn Sprint

Maja Dahlqvist Shines with Second Place Finish in Tallinn Sprint

Alexander Isak's Historic Goal Ends Newcastle's 70-Year Title Drought

Alexander Isak's Historic Goal Ends Newcastle's 70-Year Title Drought

Sweden Misses Podium in Mogul Skiing World Championship Finals

Sweden Misses Podium in Mogul Skiing World Championship Finals

Ebba Andersson's Second Appeal Denied by Ski Federation

Ebba Andersson's Second Appeal Denied by Ski Federation

Norwegian Soccer Captain Speaks Out on Gaza Conflict Before Israel Match

Norwegian Soccer Captain Speaks Out on Gaza Conflict Before Israel Match

Chelsea Star: "Autism has benefited me"

Chelsea Star: "Autism has benefited me"

After the Success: Former U20 Captain Called Up

After the Success: Former U20 Captain Called Up

Came out in 2021 – still receiving death threats

Came out in 2021 – still receiving death threats

Manchester United plays rivalry match – in Stockholm

Manchester United plays rivalry match – in Stockholm

Åberg eliminated from Tiger Woods' league – fell in semi-finals

Åberg eliminated from Tiger Woods' league – fell in semi-finals

Billionaire supports cross-country skiing stars with "million amount"

Billionaire supports cross-country skiing stars with "million amount"

Östersund on the Brink of Withdrawal – Needs Million Amount

Östersund on the Brink of Withdrawal – Needs Million Amount

The Farewell of the Football Podcast Becomes a Documentary Series

The Farewell of the Football Podcast Becomes a Documentary Series

The Swede behind the dream period: "Shows great character"

The Swede behind the dream period: "Shows great character"

Guide: Everything before the SM Quarterfinals

Guide: Everything before the SM Quarterfinals

Back from cancer – close to a dream comeback

Back from cancer – close to a dream comeback

Hidden Hero Saved Djurgården – Oskarshamn Turned

Hidden Hero Saved Djurgården – Oskarshamn Turned

Injured Bolin departs – Holm called up

Injured Bolin departs – Holm called up

Arsenal Fared Poorly - Fell Heavily in Madrid

Arsenal Fared Poorly - Fell Heavily in Madrid

Djokovic's accusation: "Like a cartel"

Djokovic's accusation: "Like a cartel"

Test with hybrid grass at the national arena

Test with hybrid grass at the national arena

The Swedish Goalkeeping Icon is Thanked

The Swedish Goalkeeping Icon is Thanked

Armand Duplantis speaks out about Trump and the tense political climate

Armand Duplantis speaks out about Trump and the tense political climate

Reports Death Threat After Weekend's Riot

Reports Death Threat After Weekend's Riot

The National Team Doctor on Svahn: "Taking it very well"

The National Team Doctor on Svahn: "Taking it very well"