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Were Sweden lucky?

June 15th, 2006 | By: Jon | 25 Comments »

You could almost hear the sigh of relief over Stockholm when Freddie’s superb header went in. Well, if it wasn’t for the chearing.

Despite tonight’s victory, it mustn’t be forgotten that Paraguay pushed us all the way and could have won if it wasn’t for a few fine saves from Isaksson. Indeed, for most of the match it really did look we couldn’t score no matter what we did. In fact, until Ljungberg scored I was convinced Allbäck would have nightmares for the rest of his life about missing THAT goal. How the Paraguay defender managed to get back and kick the goal-bound-ball away to safety I’ll never know.

Kim Källström was class this evening. Markus Allbäck also showed that he can create more chances, even if he fluffs them, that Zlatan at the moment. And Isaksson’s flapping at crosses suggested that Lagerbäck was wrong to drop Shaban, who oozed confidence and élan against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.

Now’s not the time to pick the match or performance apart. Now’s the time to celebrate a sweet victory! Sweden are still in this World Cup and fighting and I’m loving every minute of it.

Tags: allbäck, group 2. shabn, Isaksson, Paraguay, Sweden

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Comments

By Kelvin | June 15th, 2006 at 11:34 pm

Sweden possess a great talent in Wilhelmsson. Congrats on the win ’cause I was cheering for you guys all along. Good luck against England, and hope you guys can top the group.

Posted from Canada

By Cajun Nick | June 15th, 2006 at 11:35 pm

***Disclaimer - I didn’t get a chance to see the match yet, or watch the highlights. I’ve depended on blog reports and the previous match to base my comments.***

I don’t think that Sweden were lucky. Sweden have the talent and skill. Obviously every team needs a little bit of luck (as T&T showed), but effort, desire, and skill are the ingredients for luck.

Sweden posseses all the ingredients for luck. So, they were lucky only to the extent that they used their inherent characteristics.

Posted from United States

By Elio | June 15th, 2006 at 11:37 pm

Sweden made its own luck with its excellent attack, IMO. That it had problems closing them is a real problem, but eventually there’s only so many misses that can happen.

This could, IMHO, have been a 4-0 game — there was one really marginal off-side call on Zlatan in the first half which would have been a brilliant chance had it been allowed, and then again there was one in, I believe, the second half which was called offside but in replay was shown to be _clearly_ onside — that, too, would have been a brilliant opportunity.

Allbäck’s chip over the goalkeeper’s head was a smart play, but didn’t have quite enough english on it (so to speak) to get there ahead of the heroic Caniza (who got a bloody nose for his effort; Terry’s bruised tailbone seems a mite kinder).

Posted from Sweden

By Fox | June 15th, 2006 at 11:51 pm

Kallstrom was good out there, so was Elmander.
I hope this goal will be a turning point for the team.
Now only if Zlatan could get his act together…

Posted from Poland

By swe | June 16th, 2006 at 12:24 am

i think Sweden has earnd this….its a very good team that has been a little bit of unlucky so far..

Posted from Sweden

By Rhythmwize | June 16th, 2006 at 1:18 am

If Sweden just happens to lose to England 0-2 and TnT beats Paraguay 1-0 does going on to the next round really come down to a coin flip?

Posted from United States

By sean | June 16th, 2006 at 1:42 am

Allback redeems himself with a great header across the box to a charging Ljunberg

Sweden best chance before - Allback’s chip over the keeper - it was weak - falling away left as he did it gave him no room to continue forward and make sure it ended up where it needed to go . . . regardless Lagerback makes a great move putting him in and Zlatan on the bench or did Zlatan want to sit??? He seemed a step slow out there his season form at Juve continues.

Another great steady performance from the D - Mellberg has his line in line and I’m hoping England won’t tarnish a perfect Cup so far for the Swedish defense

Sill think Larsson will get better and Kim was a great addition to the game . . . ring on England.

Sverige!

Posted from United States

By Ricard Jensen | June 16th, 2006 at 1:50 am

The Swedes have made so many great offensive scoring chances against both Trinidad and Paraguay it was only a matter of time before we finally scored. Sweden has the capability of being one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the Cup and hopefully this wonderful score by Freddie will get us going!

Posted from United States

By sean | June 16th, 2006 at 1:59 am

Allback redeems himself with a great header across the box to a charging Ljunberg

Another great steady performance from the D - Mellberg has his line in line and I’m hoping England won’t tarnish a perfect Cup so far for the Swedish defense

Sill think Larsson will get better and Kim was a great addition to the game . . . Bring on England.

Sverige!

Posted from United States

By apa | June 16th, 2006 at 4:03 am

i think England had much more luck against Paraguay then Sweden had..but still Sweden can better and i think Larsson played bad so i hope he play better and Zlatan seems to have no confident at all…By the way i think that all of you from US are very smart and can much about soccer. GO USA!!

Posted from Sweden

By Robb | June 16th, 2006 at 4:10 am

Sweden have to take in moore of the young talent in the team!!
And i hope paraguay will play good and win over Trinidad !!
I realy like Elmander and Källström.But Rosenberg have not impressed me in the match before wc. And agre Sweden is a very good team and i hope they realy can show it moore.

Posted from Sweden

By apa | June 16th, 2006 at 4:13 am

let Elmander and Källström play moore!!!! And i agre that Sweden have a realy good team now and i hope they can show it and have moore luck on their side from now on!!

Posted from Sweden

By Robb | June 16th, 2006 at 4:15 am

That is so right!!

Posted from Sweden

By ErikJ19 | June 16th, 2006 at 4:56 am

Whenever Allback comes in it seems that opportunities do as well…he is truly a team player and clutch player. Wilhelmsson and Ljungberg make up two of the best flankers in the world. HEJA SVERIGE!!!

Posted from United States

By Jon | June 16th, 2006 at 6:49 am

Allbäck, Kälström and Elmander could all earn starting places next time around. That’s for sure.

As for the next rounding coming down to the flip of a coin I don’t see it happening: Sweden only need a draw against England now and that won’t be THAT hard. England typically struggles against Sweden and the Swedish defense is looking remarkably solid.

Posted from Sweden

By dennis | June 16th, 2006 at 9:16 am

Allbäck looked really good didn’t he? During the T&T game and now this one the guys looked like they had no problems getting forward, but sort of..lacked imagination once they got there?

Allbäck looked like he was playing for a starting spot, taking a shot at every given opportunity. As you say Jon, even if he misses, he’s still creating chances, which create pressure. Zlatan seemed very intent on holding the ball up when he got it and waiting for..? Was very frustrating.

Anyways, good result. Heja Sverige!

Posted from Sweden

By Voting for Franco | June 16th, 2006 at 10:25 am

no we weren’t lucky, we had 17 shots at goal. We clearly were the betetr team, besides we should have scored if the ref hadn’t said “Offside” when it wasn’t.

C’mon Sweden, do your best against England now as well!

Posted from Sweden

By Voting for Franco | June 16th, 2006 at 11:11 am

Oh, I forgot - Heja Sverige!

Posted from Sweden

By Erik | June 16th, 2006 at 2:27 pm

I really hope Elmander and Rosenberg start against England and that Allbäck come in second half. Källström should also play against England..:D

Posted from Sweden

By Erik | June 16th, 2006 at 4:17 pm

thats a good question Rhythmwize…. i dont know..but i dont think England will beat Sweden.. and not with 2 goals

Posted from Sweden

By Fox | June 16th, 2006 at 5:06 pm

I just read the post match comments and Lagerback said they had to take Zlatan off because of a muscle injury to his leg.
I hope he will be ok for the next match and play well.

Posted from Poland

By Karl | June 16th, 2006 at 8:00 pm

I was definately impressed with allback’s performance. Zlatan is out because of a sustained groin injury, and it is doubtful that he will start for the England game.

Posted from United States

By Martin | June 16th, 2006 at 10:48 pm

Jon, before the tournament started I had Sweden winning this group then England. The T&T game was unlucky not to win and Paraguay played a great game the other night. I still think you can beat England (who have looked a shade of their former selves). However, I would like to see more from Larson. I am just waiting for him to explode. It seems like he is pacing himself. Is there anyone who wins more headers than Larson?

For your sake, I hope Zlatan is not serious. He has looked good on the ball, just not sharp in front of goal. Freddie is playing well and so is Kälström (what a great player). Allbäck is doing what he did in the Premiership, look likely but not score - at least he looks likely to score.

Good luck!

Posted from United States

By Bobbio | June 16th, 2006 at 11:45 pm

“If Sweden just happens to lose to England 0-2 and TnT beats Paraguay 1-0 does going on to the next round really come down to a coin flip?”

Coin flip?? Is that really what it would come down to?

Posted from Netherlands