Potter's first international match on Swedish soil was about to end in a new blue-yellow bottom nip.
Then he got paid for his squad and team selection.
Gustav Lundgren, the shocker when the squad was presented on November 5, was not content with making his debut at the age of 30. With a few minutes left, the Gaisa player sent in the 1-1 draw against Slovenia with his dangerous left foot.
New start in March
It was important that we got something out of the match. It has been tough for the players, qualifying has not gone well at all.
"Now we have put this qualification on the table. The playoffs will be a new start for us," Potter tells Viaplay.
He matched up with an almost completely new team in the qualifying round, but he felt forced to do so.
The situation with the yellow cards, injuries to players, says Potter about the nine changes he made to the starting eleven compared to the one that stepped out against Switzerland on Saturday.
Only one (Emil Krafth) of the nine players who risked suspension in the playoff semi-final started against Slovenia.
"Not an ideal situation. You don't want players who go on the pitch and can't be aggressive. You're not yourself then," Potter told Viaplay.
“Taught us a lot”
The first nine days with the players are over. He won't meet them collectively again until the end of March. Then he will only have two or three practices before the semi-final on March 24.
"We've learned a lot. We're trying to lay a foundation, find stability and balance. Hopefully we won't have to remind the players in March how we play. There's already a little bit in the memory from this week," Potter said.
"Anything can happen in March. We know we have to beat two good teams to go through (to the World Cup). They are all good teams, but if we can get our best players back in good form then... says Graham Potter.
