Ljungberg’s Injury Sounds Serious

Who would take his place if he is unable to play? How critical is he to Sweden’s team?

Posted from  United States

Ugh. I hate to stars get hurt before the tournament.

I’m very disappointed and worried about Freddie’s injury. In my preliminary bracket, I’ve got Sweden going to the semi-finals against Brazil. But that was predicated on some healthy, in-form players - and Freddie was one of the keys.

Of course, I’m supporting the Yanks to win. However, everybody’s got to have a back-up team or two (especially when one supports a dark horse, like the Americans). I’ve always preferred to support the Nordic teams, but especially Sweden.

Freddie, läka såren. Something like that.

Posted from  United States

I’m not sure who could replace him. Kim Källström has arguably the talent and attacking guile but he’s a left-sided player.

My guess is that we’ll attack down the left and switch Källström to the right when necessary, cutting in. Or Chippen.

Posted from  Sweden

Who’s Chippen? I don’t see that name on the squad-list. Who’s more likely to push Kallstrom for the place? Andersson, Alexandersson or Wilhelmsson?

Posted from  United Kingdom

Chippen is Wilhelmsson’s knickname. I should put together a piece with all their nicknames. It’s really common in Sweden to refer to sports stars by the nicknames in the press. Of course, my late night posting times get lost on the blog.

I’ll try and be clearer in future.

Källström is likely to get pushed for a place by Anders Svensson, in my opinion. They’re both creative midfielders who don’t combine so well together. Chippen is the most dynamic attacker but he gets lost sometimes by running endlessly down tunnels that aren’t there. A Swedish Christiano Ronaldo, if you like.

But on his day Chippen is a top plater.

Posted from  Sweden

Jon, when you write a list of the nicknames, can you explain how you get from christian to chippen or markus to mackan? Others are luckily more obvious. Tack

Posted from  Germany

[...] Sweden’s Freddy Ljunberg also has a hobbled foot. The stud muffin has been playing with a bum wheel for most of the year and has had it drained following a number of Arsenal’s matches. I’ve never had my foot drained, but that doesn’t sound especially fun considering the guy makes a living using it to kick a ball. The news isn’t great for Freddy now that doctors have told him he should rest through the opening round. My guess is that he’ll play through the pain. The guy drains his foot for goodness sake. He can’t miss the World Cup. [...]

Posted from  United States

Hi!
Nice info, big thx.

Posted from  United States