Sweden's Unforeseen Triumph: The Potent Force Shaking Up the Women's World Cup

Sweden has gained a reputation for consistently achieving close victories in the past decade. In the course of their previous eight international tournaments, they secured the second-place position in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, attained third place in the 2019 Women's World Cup, and most recently, experienced a defeat against Canada on penalties in the final match of the Tokyo Olympics campaign in 2020.

Sweden's consistent presence in finals indicates a silver lining. Their unwavering performance and determination position them as potential game-changers in the tournament. Now, let's delve into their preferred playing style.

A fluid system, full of fluid players

Sweden effortlessly transitions between a 3-4-3 and a 4-3-3 formation, demonstrating their proficiency in executing a rapid, counter-attacking strategy.

In the blink of an eye, one might fail to notice their seamless switch from defense to offense, typically spearheaded by a dynamic No 10 - either Kosovare Asllani or Fridolina Rolfo.

Stretching opposition defences with complex, interchangeable styles is a norm; players are not afraid to slip in and out of shape.

Nathalie Bjorn is a prime example of that.

The Everton defender frequently serves as a right-back for her club, but she has also skillfully filled in as a defensive pivot in place of Caroline Seger. Additionally, she has demonstrated her versatility by operating as a centre-back within a back three formation, making her a strong candidate for three distinct positions within the squad.

Experience in abundance

From front to back, the players in Sweden are unpredictable in terms of where they may end up, but one thing is certain: they possess exceptional adaptability. Furthermore, their collective achievements in terms of goals, assists, and appearances venture into the hundreds.

Jennifer Falk, with 16 international appearances, stands as the most seasoned goalkeeper in the Swedish squad. Zecira Musovic serves as her capable backup after undergoing a fruitful season of training under the watchful guidance of Emma Hayes.

Leading the defense is Magdalena Eriksson, proudly wearing the captain's armband. With her impressive track record of winning the Women's Super League five times and nearing a century of international caps, Eriksson undoubtedly plays a vital role in her national team's triumphs.

In midfield, Asllani and Rolfo have the oldest player on the national team as their anchor in Seger, who has amassed over 230 appearances and is likely playing in her final World Cup.

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The 38-year-old faces a challenge as she has been dealing with injuries throughout the year and is now striving to regain fitness.

After last summer's Euro's game against Switzerland, Seger has played only 100 minutes. She underwent surgery for her heel at the beginning of the year, and her return in April was hindered by a re-injury to her calf.

Intermittent training sessions fail to instill confidence regarding potential game time in the tournament. As a substitute, Bjorn might be summoned to join the midfield.

Thankfully, in the forward positions, Lina Hurtig, Stina Blackstenius, and Sofia Jakobsson possess ample experience from their time in top European leagues, effectively compensating for this flaw.

Include a group of captivating teenagers, and you'll have a team that excels in every aspect.

But will this be sufficient to propel them beyond their previous limits? According to Swedish women's football writer Mia Eriksson, their fortune and form will be the determining factors.

She stated that this World Cup is poised to be highly competitive as numerous teams have simultaneously enhanced their quality. If Sweden can effectively synchronize their efforts, evade injuries and COVID concerns - which proved challenging for them during the previous summer's Euros - they will undoubtedly emerge as the deserving champions on August 20th.

The 'Fridolina Rolfo' factor

Ever since relocating to Barcelona in 2021, Rolfo's performance has been consistently improving.

As she prepares for the World Cup, Barcelona's triumph in securing a continental treble has provided her with a significant boost. Notably, she played a vital part in this achievement by netting the decisive goal that sealed the comeback victory over Wolfsburg in the final of the Champions League.

Playing in the left-back position for her club, she remains an integral part of the team's offensive strategy. This dynamic has remained largely consistent under Peter Gerhardsson's management. Although she does operate in a slightly more advanced position on the field, her defensive skills are a valuable addition, particularly as Sweden has often required greater defensive support from their attackers.

Rolfo possesses the ability to disrupt the opposing team's counter-attacks and effectively distribute the ball to her teammates, making her one of the primary defenders when not in possession.

Regardless of whether she is attacking from the left flank or occupying central positions on the field, she is bound to pose a significant challenge to opposing defenses. Additionally, Rolfo becomes crucial in providing defensive support in the absence of a fit Seger.

How will Sweden line up?

Falk, the first-choice goalie, is expected to have a formidable defensive line comprising Jonna Andersson, Magdalena Eriksson, Amanda Ilestedt, and Bjorn.

The midfield could see Elin Rubensson, Filippa Angeldahl, and Asllani taking charge, while Rolfo, Blackstenius, and Jakobsson are likely to dominate the attack.

Tune in to 'The Offside Rule', an acclaimed football podcast, to gain insightful analysis on every match of the Women's World Cup. The podcast also presents special appearances from former Lionesses and prominent figures in the global football arena.