Allsvenskan runner's-up Elfsborg are preparing for an uncertain winter. A bulk of the side that finished 2nd to Kalmar are expected to leave the club.
Elfsborg coach Magnus Haglund could also by on his way after the 2nd place finish but nothing has been confirmed by the Borås based club.
Goodbye Wiland:
One major departure already confirmed is Johan Wiland. The Elfsborg No.1 is leaving for Denmark's FC Kobenhavn and will join up with Cesar Santin who also left the Allsvenskan in July. Wiland's future was always in doubt after a great season. Rumours had it that Tottenham were interested but Wiland will be a Kobenhavn player on Januray 1st.
Other potential departures:
Former Portsmouth striker James Keene could also be on his way with Blackpool and Ipswich interested. Keene has another 3 years left on his contract that he signed when he joined Elfsborg last year.
The future of Anders Svensson has been rife for some time and weather he makes a move abroad remains sealed. Elfsborg would like to keep him for next season but a good offer might be too good for Elfsborg.
Lasse Nilsson is all set for his return to Saint-Étienne after a successful loan spell last season. But Elfsborg have received offers for Swedish-Albanian Emir Bajrami. Rumours have it that he will be in Serie A in January.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Sigurður Jónsson quits Djurgårdens
Sigurður Jónsson has quit as manager of Djurgårdens. The former Iceland and Sheffield Wednesday star has left in the wake of Djurgårdens awful 2008 season in which the Stockholm side were never in contention for the title.
Sigurður Jónsson also known as "Siggi Jónsson" is rumoured to be managing in Iceland next year. Djurgårdens will be looking for a new coach with the club to announce candidates in the coming weeks.
Sigurður Jónsson also known as "Siggi Jónsson" is rumoured to be managing in Iceland next year. Djurgårdens will be looking for a new coach with the club to announce candidates in the coming weeks.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Viktor Elm to leave Kalmar!
Kalmar's Viktor Elm is leaving the club. Viktor was Kalmar's 2nd top scorer during 2008 and will be moving to Holland's Heerenveen on January 1st.
Viktor becomes the 2nd high profile player to leave after Cesar Santin in July. Kalmar are looking for a replacement with Ljungskile's Daryl Smylie linked with a move. The Northern Ireland player could make the move to the champions after Ljungskile suffered relegation 2 weeks ago.
Viktor becomes the 2nd high profile player to leave after Cesar Santin in July. Kalmar are looking for a replacement with Ljungskile's Daryl Smylie linked with a move. The Northern Ireland player could make the move to the champions after Ljungskile suffered relegation 2 weeks ago.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ibrahimović wins player of the year again
Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimović has been named Swedish player of the year for a 3rd time. Zlatan won the prize on Monday in Stockholm's Globe Arena.
Ibrahimović had a great year with Inter Milan winning a 3rd successive Serie A title and helping them with 17 goals in 26 Serie A matches in 2007-08.
Ibrahimović who first won the prize in 2005 was honoured by Brazilian legend Pele. The former Ajax and Juventus star has scored 20 goals in 57 games for Sweden and hopes to add more next year when the next round of qualifiers come.
Ibrahimović also won last year's award after helping Inter Milan to the Serie A title in 2006-07.
Ibrahimović had a great year with Inter Milan winning a 3rd successive Serie A title and helping them with 17 goals in 26 Serie A matches in 2007-08.
Ibrahimović who first won the prize in 2005 was honoured by Brazilian legend Pele. The former Ajax and Juventus star has scored 20 goals in 57 games for Sweden and hopes to add more next year when the next round of qualifiers come.
Ibrahimović also won last year's award after helping Inter Milan to the Serie A title in 2006-07.
Sweden 2008 Review
Sweden have ended 2008 with defeat to Holland last night but overall 2008 could've been better.
The year began with the traditional American tour in January with 2 games against Costa Rica and the United States.
Sweden beat Costa Rica 1-0 before losing 2-0 against the United States. The tour concisted of players playing in the Allsvenskan.
February saw a 0-0 away draw against Turkey which was a good result for Sweden. The atmosphere within Turkey made it very difficult for Sweden but still came away with a draw.
March saw former world champions Brazil play Sweden in Arsenal's Emirates Stadium but Brazil ended up winning 1-0 thanks to Alexandre Pato.
The Pre-Euro 2008 games saw Sweden play Slovenia at home. Despite a lot of pressure Sweden won 1-0. The next friendly was against Ukraine in Stockholm and a Rami Shaaban error cost Sweden in the 1-0 defeat.
Euro 2008:
Pitted in Group D with European champions Greece, difficult Russia and underachieving Spain that group was always going to be tough for Sweden.
It began greatly with a 2-0 defeat of Greece. Sweden were off to a flyer before the lost to Spain 2-1 leaving Sweden with a must-win game against Russia to qualify for the Quarter-finals. Russia beat the Swedes 2-0 to progress and there were calls for coach Lars Lagerbäck to resign.
He stayed put and Sweden's next game was an August friendly against France at home. A brave display wasn't enough as France left Sweden with a 3-2 win. Sweden had a very important World Cup Qualifier against Albania in September but after a 0-0 draw people wanted Lars Lagerbäck out.
October presented Sweden with a chance of getting points and after a vital 2-1 win over Hungary the team did well to get a point off Portugal. That draw left Sweden in 5th place with 5 points from 3 games going into next year's matches.
November saw last night's 3-1 defeat away to Holland end Sweden's disappointing year with defeat.
The year began with the traditional American tour in January with 2 games against Costa Rica and the United States.
Sweden beat Costa Rica 1-0 before losing 2-0 against the United States. The tour concisted of players playing in the Allsvenskan.
February saw a 0-0 away draw against Turkey which was a good result for Sweden. The atmosphere within Turkey made it very difficult for Sweden but still came away with a draw.
March saw former world champions Brazil play Sweden in Arsenal's Emirates Stadium but Brazil ended up winning 1-0 thanks to Alexandre Pato.
The Pre-Euro 2008 games saw Sweden play Slovenia at home. Despite a lot of pressure Sweden won 1-0. The next friendly was against Ukraine in Stockholm and a Rami Shaaban error cost Sweden in the 1-0 defeat.
Euro 2008:
Pitted in Group D with European champions Greece, difficult Russia and underachieving Spain that group was always going to be tough for Sweden.
It began greatly with a 2-0 defeat of Greece. Sweden were off to a flyer before the lost to Spain 2-1 leaving Sweden with a must-win game against Russia to qualify for the Quarter-finals. Russia beat the Swedes 2-0 to progress and there were calls for coach Lars Lagerbäck to resign.
He stayed put and Sweden's next game was an August friendly against France at home. A brave display wasn't enough as France left Sweden with a 3-2 win. Sweden had a very important World Cup Qualifier against Albania in September but after a 0-0 draw people wanted Lars Lagerbäck out.
October presented Sweden with a chance of getting points and after a vital 2-1 win over Hungary the team did well to get a point off Portugal. That draw left Sweden in 5th place with 5 points from 3 games going into next year's matches.
November saw last night's 3-1 defeat away to Holland end Sweden's disappointing year with defeat.
Holland 3-1 Sweden 19th November 2008
Holland 3-1 Sweden
Sweden suffered defeat away to Holland last night as the Dutch came away with a 3-1 win. Arsenal's Robin Van Persie gave Holland the lead on 33 minutes before making it 2-0 on 50 minutes.
Holland had chances with Dirk Kuyt coming close on a few occasions and Sweden had their share of chances with Larsson coming close.
Kim Källström silenced the home crowd with a delightful shot from outside the area on 51 minutes. Despite Michel Vorm getting a hand to the shot Kim Källström still got the goal.
Sweden tried to push for an equalizer but Holland looked more likely in getting a 3rd goal. That 3rd goal arrived in injury-time when a fine cross was headed in by Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt. So Holland win but Sweden had their chances.
Holland: (4-3-3)
H.Timmer (g.k): J.Heitinga, A.Ooijer, J.Mathijsen, G.Van Bronkhorst: M.Van Bommel, D.De Zeeuw, W.Sneijder: D.Kuyt, R.Van Persie, R.Babel subs: M.Vorm (g.k), T.De Cler, K.Boulahrouz, O.Engelaar, R.Van Der Vaart, I.Afellay, D.Mendes
Sweden: (4-3-3)
A.Isaksson (g.k): M.Nilsson, D.Majstorović, P.Hansson, B.Safari: D.Andersson, C.Wilhelmsson, R.Lindgren: S.Holmén, Z.Ibrahimović, H.Larsson subs: J.Wiland (g.k), F.Stoor, A.Grandqvist, V.Elm, K.Källström, S.Larsson, P.Andersson
Sweden suffered defeat away to Holland last night as the Dutch came away with a 3-1 win. Arsenal's Robin Van Persie gave Holland the lead on 33 minutes before making it 2-0 on 50 minutes.
Holland had chances with Dirk Kuyt coming close on a few occasions and Sweden had their share of chances with Larsson coming close.
Kim Källström silenced the home crowd with a delightful shot from outside the area on 51 minutes. Despite Michel Vorm getting a hand to the shot Kim Källström still got the goal.
Sweden tried to push for an equalizer but Holland looked more likely in getting a 3rd goal. That 3rd goal arrived in injury-time when a fine cross was headed in by Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt. So Holland win but Sweden had their chances.
Holland: (4-3-3)
H.Timmer (g.k): J.Heitinga, A.Ooijer, J.Mathijsen, G.Van Bronkhorst: M.Van Bommel, D.De Zeeuw, W.Sneijder: D.Kuyt, R.Van Persie, R.Babel subs: M.Vorm (g.k), T.De Cler, K.Boulahrouz, O.Engelaar, R.Van Der Vaart, I.Afellay, D.Mendes
Sweden: (4-3-3)
A.Isaksson (g.k): M.Nilsson, D.Majstorović, P.Hansson, B.Safari: D.Andersson, C.Wilhelmsson, R.Lindgren: S.Holmén, Z.Ibrahimović, H.Larsson subs: J.Wiland (g.k), F.Stoor, A.Grandqvist, V.Elm, K.Källström, S.Larsson, P.Andersson
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Swedes in Holland
Sweden gear up for a trip against traditional European Powerhouse Holland in Amsterdam tonight with no fewer than 5 players in the squad who play their club football in Holland.
Of the those five midfielder Rasmus Lindgren of Ajax plays his football at tonight's venue the Amsterdam ArenA.
Andreas Isaksson of PSV has only played in Holland for 3 months while Andreas Grandqvist, Marcus Berg and Petter Andersson are all team mates at FC Groningen.
Having such a large number playing in Holland should serve Sweden well. But it also means that they would know what players to look out for and what way the pitch is.
Allsvenskan?
But Sweden have a big number of players playing abroad. In this squad there is just 2 home-based players. Daniel Andersson of Malmö and Henrik Larsson of Helsingborgs. This is a problem for Allsvenskan players who think that maybe playing abroad will give them a call-up.
In the Allsvenskan a number of Swedish players stood out such as Patrik Ingelsten, Viktor Elm, Robin Söder and Agon Mehmeti.
Of the those five midfielder Rasmus Lindgren of Ajax plays his football at tonight's venue the Amsterdam ArenA.
Andreas Isaksson of PSV has only played in Holland for 3 months while Andreas Grandqvist, Marcus Berg and Petter Andersson are all team mates at FC Groningen.
Having such a large number playing in Holland should serve Sweden well. But it also means that they would know what players to look out for and what way the pitch is.
Allsvenskan?
But Sweden have a big number of players playing abroad. In this squad there is just 2 home-based players. Daniel Andersson of Malmö and Henrik Larsson of Helsingborgs. This is a problem for Allsvenskan players who think that maybe playing abroad will give them a call-up.
In the Allsvenskan a number of Swedish players stood out such as Patrik Ingelsten, Viktor Elm, Robin Söder and Agon Mehmeti.
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