Let’s go for the third edition of the League of Nations. This time, Sweden is playing in Division B where the team ended up in the same group as Slovenia, Norway and Serbia. Tonight the Nations League starts with an away game against Slovenia. Kick-off will take place at 8:45 p.m. at the Stadion Stocize in Ljubljana. The match is broadcast on TV6 / Viaplay.
Five scouts before the match
The League of Nations begins
The last edition of the Nations League played Sweden in the A division. After difficult matches against France, Portugal and Croatia, Sweden finished in fourth place and therefore were relegated to the B division. Sweden was drawn in Group 4 with today’s opponents Slovenia as well as Norway and Serbia. The winner of the group goes to division A while the jumbo of the group is relegated to division C.
The first competitive game against Slovenia for men
Sweden and Slovenia have only met twice on the men’s side. Both times, it was a question of training internationals. In 2008, it was a 1-0 win at Gothenburg while the 2016 Malmö international match ended in a draw. Today, the countries face off in a competitive international match for the first time ever on the men’s side.
Newcomers from Slovenia in Nations League Division B
While Sweden were relegated to Division B before this edition of the Nations League, Slovenia were relegated to Division C as they did in the previous two editions. This will be the first season in Division B for Slovenia.
New names in the team
In the June collection squad, there are three players who received their first ever national A team call-ups. Hjalmar Ekdal, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Edvin Kurtulus are all completely fresh in the national A team context and have the opportunity to make their senior debut in blue and yellow. Joel Andersson is also called by Janne Andersson for the first time since fall 2020.
Troop changes in Sweden
A blue and yellow trio miss tonight’s game against Slovenia. Kerim Mrabti received a blow at a training ground earlier in the week and left the team. Jesper Karlsson feels injured and Anthony Elanga is ill, both players are staying at the players’ hotel in Sweden. Federation captain Janne Andersson therefore opted to bring in Branimir Hrgota from Germany’s Greuther Fürth.
The coaching quote
– We are doing something a bit new and with new players. A little more than I initially thought maybe, but it opens up opportunities. My experience as a coach is that players who get the chance usually take it. I think it’s exciting, it’ll be fun and interesting to see who comes forward. If we can develop as a team in these four matches and some players advance, I’m very happy,” said Sweden national team captain Janne Andersson.
Mutual meetings
Sweden: 1 victory | 1 goal scored | 0 goals conceded
Draw: 1 match
Slovenia: 0 victory | 0 goals scored | 1 goal conceded
That’s how it went last time
It has been exactly six years since Sweden and Slovenia met on the men’s side. Blue-yellow were in the midst of preparations for the 2016 European Championships when the team played 0-0 at Malmö in an international practice match. Among today’s squad players were Victor Nilsson Lindelöf and Emil Forsberg in Sweden’s starting XI against Slovenia six years ago.
Slovenia in the League of Nations
Slovenia – Sweden | June 2, 2022
Serbia – Slovenia | June 5, 2022
Norway – Slovenia | June 9, 2022
Slovenia – Serbia | June 12
Slovenia – Norway | September 24
Sweden – Slovenia | September 27
The scorers: –
Last starting XI (Qatar – Slovenia 0-0 in a training international)
Jan Oblak
Petar Stojanovic, Miha Mevlja, Jaka Bijol, David Brekalo, Gregor Sikosek
Jasmin Kurtic, Miha Zajc, Sandi Lovric
Benjamin Sesko, Luka Zahovic
The profile of the adversary
Jan Oblak | 1993 | Guardian | Atlético Madrid
Considered by many to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world and one of the greatest Slovenian players of all time. Made his debut in the Slovenian second league at the age of 16, then became the first goalkeeper at Olimpija Ljubljana in the top league before moving at the age of 17 to Benfica where he participated and won the treble in 2013/14. season. He was then signed by Atletico Madrid and became La Liga’s most expensive goalkeeper. In the 2015/16 season, he broke a new La Liga record by conceding just 18 league goals. During his time at Atletico, he has so far won the league and the Europa League once and also has a second place in the Champions League. Made his debut in the U21 national team already at 16, then in the national A team at 19. He became the national A team’s first goalkeeper in 2015 at the age of 22 and later took over the captain’s armband. So far, there have been 46 international matches for the goalkeeper. Oblak was also named the best Slovenian footballer six times and was also nominated for the Ballon d’Or twice.
The talent
Benjamin Sesko | 2003 | Transfer | RB Salzburg
Not only do Slovenia have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but they also have one of the most interesting talents in Europe in Benjamin Sesko, who just turned 19. In the 2017/18 season, he scored an incredible 59 goals in 23 appearances for Slovenian Krsko in the youth series, which resulted in a move to Domzale. He stayed there only one season before taking the step abroad in Salzburg in Austria. First loaned to the second division in Austria where he made his debut at 16 for Liefering, during his second season he scored 21 goals in 29 matches, then he moved to Salzburg in the first division. Has two league titles and one cup title so far. He went straight from the P19 national team to the A national team where he became the youngest Slovenian player ever, 18 years and 1 day. In total, he managed nine international appearances and one goal.
The Slovenia team
Guardians: Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid), Vid Belec (Salernitana), Martin Turk (Parma), Igor Vekic (Pacos de Ferreira)
Support: Miha Mevlja (Alanyaspor), Petar Stojanovic (Empoli), Jaka Bijol (CSKA Moscow), Jure Balkovec (Fatih Karagumruk), Miha Blazic (Ferencvaros), Martin Milec (Maribor), Zan Karnicnik (Ludogorets Razgrad), Gregor Silkosek (Marjorie) , David Brekalo (Viking)
Midfielder : Jasmin Kurtic (PAOK), Benjamin Verbic (Legia Warszawa), Miha Zajc (Fenerbache), Domen Crnigoj (Venezia), Sandi Lovric (Udinese), Adam Gnezda Cerin (Rijeka), Jon Gorenc Stankovic (Sturm Graz), Leo Stulac (Empoli ) ), Blaz Vrhovec (Anorthosis Famagusta), Tomi Horvat (Sturm Graz)
Forwards: Andraz Sporar (Middlesbrough), Luka Zahovic (Pogon Szczecin), Benjamin Sesko (Salzburg), Zan Celar (Lugano)
Federation Captain: Matjaz Kek
Slovenia Facts
Number of European Championships: 1 (last 2000) | Best result: Group game (2010)
Number of World Cups: 2 (last in 2010) | Best results: Group games (2002 & 2010)
Merits: –
World Rank: 65
Highest rank: 15 (October-November 2010)
Most international matches: Bostjan Cesar, 101 international matches
Most national team goals: Zlatko Zahovic, 35 goals
Sweden in the Nations League
Slovenia – Sweden | June 2, 2022
Sweden – Norway | June 5, 2022
Sweden – Serbia | June 9, 2022
Norway – Sweden | June 12, 2022
Serbia – Sweden | September 24, 2022
Sweden – Slovenia | September 27, 2022
The scorers: –
Last starting XI (Poland – Sweden 2-0 in World Cup qualifiers)
Robin Olson
Emil Krafth, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf (K), Marcus Danielson, Ludwig Augustinsson
Dejan Kulusevski, Kristoffer Olsson, Jesper Karlström, Emil Forsberg
Robin Quaison, Alexander Isak
The Swedish team
Guardians: Andreas Linde (SpVgg Greuther Furth), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (AIK), Robin Olsen (Sheffield United)
Support: Joel Andersson (Midtjylland), Ludwig Augustinsson (Seville), Hjalmar Ekdal (Djurgårdens IF), Gabriel Gudmundsson (Lille), Emil Krafth (Newcastle), Edvin Kurtulus (Hammarby IF), Alexander Milosevic (AIK), Joakim Nilsson (Arminia Bielefeld ), Carl Starfelt (Celtic FC)
Midfielder: Jens Cadjus (Reims), Viktor Claesson (Copenhagen), Anthony Elanga (Manchester United), Emil Forsberg (Leipzig), Jesper Karlsson (AZ Alkmaar), Jesper Karlström (Lech Poznan), Kristoffer Olsson (Anderlecht), Mattias Svanberg (Bologna )
Attackers: Viktor Gyökeres (Coventry City), Branimir Hrgota (SpVgg Greuther Furth), Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad), Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham), Robin Quaison (Al-Ettifaq)
The league captain: Janne Andersson
Sweden Facts
Number of European Championships: 7 (last 2021) | Best result: Semi-final (1992)
Number of toilets: 12 (latest 2018) | Best result: Silver (1958)
Merits: silver medal in the World Cup 1958, bronze in the World Cup 1950 and 1994, Olympic gold medal 1948, Olympic bronze 1924 and 1952
World Rank: 19
Highest rank: 2 (November 1994)
Most international appearances: Anders Svensson, 148 appearances
Most national team goals: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 62 goals
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