There were only a few days left until the World Championship premiere in New Zealand 2023.
Then, an ankle injury in the friendly against the Philippines that summer ruined the championship debut for Hanna Lundkvist.
No wonder the European Championship in Switzerland this summer is on her mind almost all the time.
It's not like I see myself there already. But I think about it in everything I do now, says the right-back.
Hopefully, it will make me able to take a spot. But it's absolutely nothing I take for granted. Because I got to experience it myself, anything can happen.
Since the World Championship 2023, Hanna Lundkvist has managed to change clubs, from Atlético Madrid to San Diego.
It has certainly given her significantly longer travel time to national team gatherings – now to the Nations League matches against Italy in Stockholm on Friday (Swedish victory 3–2) and against Wales in Gothenburg on Tuesday.
But it has also led to plenty of playing time against good opponents and a chance to – if she gets selected – come to the European Championship in good form.
I think it's an advantage for me that the American league is ongoing a bit longer. So in the event of a potential gathering for the European Championship, I'll come in good form hopefully and be able to keep going with the team all summer, she says.
Born: July 17, 2002.
Position: Right-back.
Clubs: Djurö-Vindö IF, AIK, Hammarby, Atlético Madrid, San Diego.
National team appearances/goals, A-team: 21/0. U23: 12/0. U19: 12/3. U17: 19/2.
A-team debut: February 16, 2023, against China (4–1).
Current: Selected in the Swedish Nations League squad.
