Nerves, Expectation and Predictions

There are just a few hours left until Sweden take on Trinidad & Tobago tonight in Dortmund, Germany, in their opening match of the 2006 World Cup. With many claiming this is the best squad since 1994, expectations are high. Everyone I’ve talked to is oozing confidence except Seb.

Seb reckons that T&T, with their array of UK-based professionals will surprise everyone, most of all Sweden, tonight.

With Sweden-strikers Zlatan and Larsson not on top form, Trinidad’s West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop is also pretty confident.

“We have a real sense of professionalism,” he told the BBC. “This team is capable of a surprise or two.”

Seb’s theory is that Sweden will choke against a hard-working, well-organized side. I don’t personally buy this because I think we’ve got too much power up front to worry most defences, on paper at least.

But in the back of my mind there is a nagging doubt that Seb could have a point.
Sweden’s last international victory was a 3-1 win over Iceland on 12 October 2005 in a World Cup qualifying match. They’ve failed to win any of the five friendlies in 2006, drawing four and losing one. That speaks an awful lot in T&T’s favour.

No wonder Sweden-coach Lars Lagerbäck is looking for his team to make a positive start to the match

“The important thing at the beginning is not to let them score.

“It’s up to us to play our own game and to set a really high tempo,” Lagerbäck told the press.

I can feel the nerves already; I’m sure they’ll be worse come kick-off.

Here we go: Sweden to win 2-1. Heja Sverige!