Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The Blue-Yellow Duel: "Everyone Wants to Play Matches"

Robin Olsen is injured and the Swedish goalkeeper door is ajar. Who takes the chance and steps in: Viktor Johansson, Jacob Widell Zetterström or Kristoffer Nordfeldt? All football players in the whole world want to play matches, says Widell Zetterström ahead of the Nations League premiere against Azerbaijan.

» Updated: 12 September 2024, 09:43

» Published: 03 September 2024

The Blue-Yellow Duel: "Everyone Wants to Play Matches"
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

In the beginning of his national team career, he was a reserve behind Andreas Isaksson. When the veteran hung up his gloves and Janne Andersson took over as national team captain – then Robin Olsen got the spot in goal.

A position he has retained since the summer of 2016.

But when Sweden begins the hunt for advancement in the Nations League – away against Azerbaijan on Thursday and then at home against Estonia three days later – the injured 34-year-old will be missing.

Who gets the chance in Baku?

Thus, the goalkeeper door to the starting eleven is ajar.

Three Stockholm natives are standing outside and are ready to step in.

AIK's Kristoffer Nordfeldt has usually been the first reserve, but with Viktor Johansson and Jacob Widell Zetterström in the squad, it is still uncertain who national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson will give the chance to on Tofiq Bähramov Stadium in Baku.

It's an open race, it absolutely is. It would be a great honor to stand, it's something I've longed for a long time, but I don't want to anticipate any events, says Johansson, who signed with Stoke in the Championship this spring.

The 25-year-old estimates his playing chances to 33 percent and thinks his versatility speaks for him.

I like to own the penalty area, am good at saving balls, on communication and playing with my feet. I'm pretty all-round.

"Maximize your chances"

Widell Zetterström says that "all football players in the whole world want to play matches" but chooses to see his first gathering with the real A-national team in a different way.

I'm super happy to be here, but just like always, it's about putting in the work required on the training pitch to maximize your chances, says the 26-year-old, who is close friends with Johansson and got a lot of help from his friend during his first time in Derby.

I've known him for a pretty long time, since we're the same age, both are from Stockholm, and we've run into each other in many contexts.

He's an incredibly nice guy who really has his heart in the right place.

Kristoffer Nordfeldt

Born: June 23, 1989, in Stockholm.

Club: AIK.

A-national team matches: 18, last played against Moldova in October 2023.

.

Viktor Johansson

Born: September 14, 1998, in Stockholm.

Club: Stoke in the Championship.

A-national team matches: 1, came in for Nordfeldt against Moldova in 2023.

.

Jacob Widell Zetterström

Born: July 11, 1998, in Stockholm.

Club: Derby in the Championship.

A-national team matches: 1, played the first half against Iceland in January 2023.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Malmö fell in Istanbul – third defeat in Europe
2 MIN READ

Malmö fell in Istanbul – third defeat in Europe

McIlroy: Trump may be able to unite golf
1 MIN READ

McIlroy: Trump may be able to unite golf

Källberg's Giant Upset – Crushed the World Number One
2 MIN READ

Källberg's Giant Upset – Crushed the World Number One

Källberg's giant upset – crushed the world number one
1 MIN READ

Källberg's giant upset – crushed the world number one

Own goal not investigated as suspected match-fixing
1 MIN READ

Own goal not investigated as suspected match-fixing

The Back Icon Leaves AIK: "An Incredible Journey"
2 MIN READ

The Back Icon Leaves AIK: "An Incredible Journey"

Tomasson on Gyökeres: "He's a bulldozer"
3 MIN READ

Tomasson on Gyökeres: "He's a bulldozer"

City forced to pay millions to star
1 MIN READ

City forced to pay millions to star

Elanga blasts: "Football is brutal"
3 MIN READ

Elanga blasts: "Football is brutal"

The Talent Chooses Turkey Over Sweden
1 MIN READ

The Talent Chooses Turkey Over Sweden

The Star on Sorrow: "One of My Biggest Supporters"
3 MIN READ

The Star on Sorrow: "One of My Biggest Supporters"

Signell axes icons: "Must think about the future"
1 MIN READ

Signell axes icons: "Must think about the future"

Finnish F1 star gets the cold shoulder from Sauber
1 MIN READ

Finnish F1 star gets the cold shoulder from Sauber

The Gold Coach Fired: "Don't Care About the Supporters"
2 MIN READ

The Gold Coach Fired: "Don't Care About the Supporters"

Nasty injury in NHL – got puck on the neck
2 MIN READ

Nasty injury in NHL – got puck on the neck

First NHL goal for Sundqvist after severe injury
1 MIN READ

First NHL goal for Sundqvist after severe injury

The Dream Come True: "Wanted to be a Boy"
3 MIN READ

The Dream Come True: "Wanted to be a Boy"

Hat-trick by Gyökeres – crazy turnaround by Sporting
2 MIN READ

Hat-trick by Gyökeres – crazy turnaround by Sporting

Luleå penalized with flag ban – away games
1 MIN READ

Luleå penalized with flag ban – away games

Sabalenka wins as Swiatek loses
1 MIN READ

Sabalenka wins as Swiatek loses