On Friday, the women's soccer team will face France in the first of two matches for the bronze medal in the Nations League. But they will be without center back Magdalena Eriksson. The Bayern Munich star recently announced that she is retiring from the Blue and Yellows after 123 senior internationals.
"It's absolutely the toughest decision I've ever made and one that I wish I hadn't had to make. But I've had to listen to my body and my brain instead of my heart," Eriksson said in a post on social media just over a week ago.
The facade cracked
Tony Gustavsson, new national team captain since last summer, received the news from Eriksson somewhat earlier.
I must admit that there were some tears in that conversation, says Gustavsson.
As a coach, you often try to maintain this professional facade and be this leader who is strong in different situations. But sometimes you are only human.
In terms of sport, there is now a gap in the center-back position where the 32-year-old has been practically self-made in recent years. But not only there, says Gustavsson.
We are losing a leader and a character who has helped build a great deal of this national team's identity both on and off the field. Now it is time to prepare how we can fill the gap that "Magda" leaves behind in the short and long term.
In the squad for the Nations League matches against France – the first match will be played in Reims on Friday, with the return match in Stockholm next week – there are two players who will eventually be able to take over.
Left foot important
One: Lyon's Elma Junttila Nelhage, 22, who impressed in her senior national team debut in the semi-final against Spain last time out. The other: 19-year-old debutant Bella Andersson, who left Hammarby for Real Madrid this summer.
What the two have in common is that, like Eriksson, they are both center backs and left-footed.
"Having a naturally left-footed centre-back is very important, it gives another dimension to the attacking game. Now we have two, so we'll see if they can replace the footballing aspect," says Tony Gustavsson.
At the same time, more experienced players, such as Chelsea defender Nathalie Björn, are allowed to step in and take on larger leadership roles.
If there is anyone who has worn this national team jersey with pride and stood for something more than just football, it is “Magda”. We cannot expect a young player to step in and take over that part all at once.
Goalkeepers: Tove Enblom, Vålerenga, Jennifer Falk, Häcken, Moa Öhman, Malmö FF.
Defenders: Bella Andersson, Real Madrid, Alice Bergström, Häcken, Nathalie Björn, Chelsea, Smilla Holmberg, Hammarby, Elma Junttila Nelhage, Lyon, Anna Sandberg, Manchester United, Linda Sembrant, AIK.
Midfielders/strikers: Filippa Angeldahl, Real Madrid, Anna Anvegård, Häcken, Kosovare Asllani, London City, Stina Blackstenius, Arsenal, Evelyn Ijeh, Milan, Madelen Janogy, Fiorentina, Monica Jusu Bah, Häcken, Rosa Kafaji, Brighton, Hanna Lundkvist, San Diego, Fridolina Rolfö, Manchester United, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Chelsea, Felicia Schröder, Häcken, Julia Zigiotti Olme, Manchester United, Beata Olsson, Liverpool.
