The Swedish team has landed in a boiling Alpine cauldron. Sweat is flowing when the blue and yellow players on Sunday complete their first training session at the European Championship base in little Cham, located in central Switzerland, between two of Sweden's playing venues: Zurich and Lucerne.
Heat is spreading across Europe and Switzerland seems to be getting over 30 degrees for several days to come. Possibly it will be slightly cooler when Sweden on Friday starts the European Championship against Denmark in Geneva.
A heat wave will not be able to stop Hanna Lundkvist, championship debutant – again.
It's special of course. Take it easy. It's a lot of the same feelings I had two years ago. I won't take anything for granted but it feels very fun, says Lundkvist.
Second time lucky
She is in Switzerland to do what she would have done two years ago. But then, with only days left until the World Championship premiere in New Zealand, the dream of a first championship match was crushed when she suffered an ankle injury and missed the entire tournament.
It was incredibly tough. It's hard to explain when a championship is among the biggest things you can do as a football player. And something I have dreamed of for as long as I can remember.
Since the World Championship 2023, the 22-year-old has managed to change clubs, from Atlético Madrid to San Diego. At the same time, she has become almost a regular in the national team lineup.
I have absolutely more routine. I have played many more national team matches. And I have a different role in the club team, much more playing time and I'm more confident in it. I feel that I have taken steps as a football player in everything I do.
On the bench in the dress rehearsal
In the European Championship dress rehearsal against Norway (2–0), she sat on the bench while 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg took the spot as right-back. Then Lundkvist had a long flight from the USA on her back. Much suggests that it is she who will play from the start against Denmark.
It's what she dreams of. But the World Championship debacle is still in the back of her mind and gnawing.
I would be lying if I say I don't think about it, says Lundkvist.
But I know what I need to do to be in good physical shape. To sleep well, eat well and so on. So that something similar won't happen.
What she looks forward to most with the European Championship is given:
To get out on the pitch in a championship, in a Swedish national team jersey. It's something I have dreamed of incredibly much and waited for a long time. To make my long-awaited debut.
Lasse Mannheimer/TT
Facts: Sweden's football European Championship
TT
4 July (18.00): Denmark–Sweden, Geneva.
8 July (21.00): Poland–Sweden, Lucerne.
12 July (21.00): Sweden–Germany, Zurich.
17 or 19 July: Possible quarterfinal.
22–23 July: Possible semifinal.
27 July: Possible final.
