Potter held a final press conference at the players' hotel in Parsippany, fifty miles west of New York, where he looked back on five intense weeks with the national team.
"It's going to take time to let it all sink in. It's been an incredible journey, from November to today. But obviously it's disappointing, we don't want to go home, we didn't want to lose," Potter says, continuing:
It's fair to say the better team (France) won. Even if we had played the match of our lives, I don't know if it would have been enough.
As Potter puts it in English: “A bridge too far”.
But I feel hopeful for the future. I know we will get better the more time we have together. It is important that we continue to grow.
A victory in the World Cup
Sweden started the World Cup by defeating Tunisia, then lost to and drew with the Netherlands and Japan respectively. On Tuesday, the adventure ended after a 0-3 defeat against France in the round of 32.
Everyone who has worked with the national team has done an incredible job. Now it's about continuing to work and doing better.
Some players have already gone on vacation, others are still in the US and will leave soon.
But I am absolutely convinced that they have had a great experience and are a richer person.
He himself needs some time to digest the World Cup adventure. No vacation is planned, but he intends to take some time off.
I have to get off the train now and return to reality. Take it all in and reflect.
Poke players
When the Englishman named his squad, there were several surprises in the World Cup squad, including Roony Bardghji, Williot Swedberg and Hugo Larsson, all of whom were left out. It is currently unclear whether they will be selected when the men's national team reunites in September.
We have been focused in a World Cup bubble. Now we have to look ahead and we have time to do that, the door is not closed. The group we have now has come together well.
When asked if any players have announced that they are quitting the national team, Potter replies:
No, no one has said anything.
Changes are expected in the management team. Assistant national captain Björn Hamberg will be in charge of Elfsborg. Andreas Georgson, responsible for set pieces, will probably also be replaced.
It's a job that needs to be done in the next few months. I'm sure we'll do it.
When asked if he intends to follow the World Cup, the answer is:
I'm not that interested, to be honest. It'll take a couple of days to land and I'll probably watch a few games but right now I don't have that appetite.
