It has been an unlucky spring for the women's national team, with serious injuries to Kosovare Asllani and Nathalie Björn, for example. At the same time, a handful of veterans have said goodbye since last year.
Since the squad was selected, both centre-back Elma Junttila Nelhage and goalkeeper Tove Enblom have been forced to withdraw.
In that situation, the blow 19-year-old attacking star Felicia Schröder suffered against Kristianstad this weekend was particularly unwelcome, admits Tony Gustavsson.
I was worried. That's how it is with such a bad blow. It's clear that with all the injuries we've had thrown at us, you don't feel any better now, he says.
“Looks promising”
To guard against the injury, Rebecka Blomqvist was called up as a reserve to the squad.
But when the national team trained in Gothenburg on Tuesday, Felicia Schröder completed the first half-hour as planned. And she also did a few extra laps afterwards.
She was involved a little more than I would have dared to hope for, says Tony Gustavsson.
It looks promising. We shouldn't jump to any conclusions. But the first day was positive anyway.
“Own hands”
Sweden is under pressure to beat Denmark in Odense on Friday if it is to keep its chance of qualifying directly for next year's World Cup.
Denmark is leading the group and has a bit of a pole position, so to speak, in taking the group victory. But we also know that we have everything in our own hands, says Tony Gustavsson.
Two wins and we will be group winners and have a ticket to the World Cup in Brazil and that's what we all want.
With victories against Denmark (Friday) and Italy (Tuesday), Sweden will qualify for the 2027 World Cup. However, with a loss against Denmark, Sweden will have to settle for playoff games.
If there is a draw against Denmark, Sweden must then beat Italy, while Denmark must drop points in its final match against Serbia, for Sweden to finish first in the group.
