The talented Swedish side is a tough test for Vera Pauw’s Ireland
Sweden’s biggest whine during their press activities ahead of Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Ireland was their lack of Ballon D’Or candidates.
After a spectacular year, when they finished the world champions’ US victories in 44 matches on their way to the silver medal at the Olympics, the feeling of being short-changed on the 20-player shortlist was obvious.
“Many more should have made the list,” said Olivia Schough of their Dublin base about her team-mates. Fridolina Rolfo had a fantastic Olympics, as did Caroline Seger. ”
A small mercy for Ireland is that Seger, Europe’s most limited player, misses the trip to injury. It’s not like last month’s friendly against Australia, which lacked a connection of regulars. The 223 times covered Seger berth will be taken by a skilled substitute without weakening the team. Midfielder Hanna Bennison, just 19, was taken by Everton over the summer in her record transfer for a “significant six-figure sum”.
Everywhere in the squad, the Swedes have depth. From their Ballon D’Or challengers, Magdalena Eriksson and Stina Blackstenius, to Rolfo, the striker recruited by Champions League winners Barcelona from Wolfsburg, Ireland will face quality in abundance.
They are spread across Europe, from Bayern Munich to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, with sprinkling on the English clubs Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton, but several have chosen to stay at home. It is due to Damallsvenskan’s reputation, the league won by FC Rosengard this weekend. It’s not just their players who are in demand, as Arsenal swooped in for Jonas Eidevall to lead their women’s Super League revival.
Retaining their best talent amid interest from richer and higher profile leagues is the constant struggle. Top side BK Hacken lost Julia Zigiotti Olme and Emma Kullberg before their international meeting after they refused extensions.
Hacken’s second star Blackstenius has already spread his wings across Europe and spent two seasons at Montpellier but snubbed offers from English and Bundesliga clubs to return home.
Ireland’s U19 manager Dave Connell saw the striker in action when his side beat the Swedes at the European Championships in 2014 and cites examples of graduates from that tournament to illustrate the gap in the club’s professionalism between nations.
“Sweden has had its structures in place for 20 years,” he said. “We had a really good group but the difference was that the Swedes obviously went into good structures.
“They do it continuously. Their players play in mainland leagues all over Europe, such as Germany, where they would play in the best divisions for the best clubs.
Playing against good players in training makes a huge difference. It’s the best football education you can get.
“Sweden has done great things and won silver at the Olympics.
“From our squad, Katie McCabe, Clare Shine and Megan Connolly continued to play professionally, but many of our players drove. We need more players in professional environments. ”
While this game is Ireland’s first in the campaign, the Swedes have already started with two victories against Slovakia and Georgia.
Vera Pauw has already acknowledged that second place is the realistic goal, which makes Tuesday’s visit to Finland the most important match in the double header, but they will enjoy testing themselves against what has officially become the best team in Europe.
In the coming years, the 4,000 at Tallaght Stadium may remember their privilege of seeing them first hand.