Sweden

Preview

Sweden, managed by the moustached Olle Nordin, were coming into qualifying Group 2 on the back of a very, very good 1988. They had drawn in West Germany, they had beaten the Soviet Union 2-0 and they had won 3-1 in Spain. The latter result might have to be viewed in light of the dismal Spanish European Championships showing, but nevertheless it was not expected of Sweden that they go to the Iberian Peninsula and win.

Their only defeat in ’88 had come in their penultimate preparation game: a 2-1 home loss to old foes Denmark. Still, spirits were high, as Sweden had just come from a qualification tournament, the one ahead of West Germany ’88, in which they had taken the might of Italy all the way to the final match, where a 2-1 home win for the Italians had sealed the two nations’ respective faiths. Read more…

Results

Qualifier 1
19.10.1988
Wembley Stadium, London

England

0–0
(Report)

Sweden

The Swedish opened their qualification campaign with an impressive defensive display against a talented English team, and the match belonged to their captain Hysén, who performed extremely well. Rarely does one player stand out like he did during the 90 minutes at Wembley. Sweden did not produce a lot themselves, but they will have been pleased to shut England out.

Line-up (4-4-2): Ravelli – R Nilsson (Schiller 77), P Larsson, Hysén (c), Ljung – Thern, Strömberg, Prytz, J Nilsson – Holmqvist (Ekström 64), Pettersson.

Qualifier 2
05.11.1988
Stadium Qemal Stafa, Tirana

Albania
Shehu (33′)

1–2
(Report)

Sweden
Holmqvist (67′)
Ekström (71′)

In very difficult conditions on a pitch so uneven it was hard to make much progress with the ball along the deck, Sweden impressed as they came from behind to beat Albania, much due to a fine introduction from the substitutes’ bench: forward Holmqvist had been brought on for central midfielder Prytz, and from his wide midfield role he helped cause trouble among the hitherto untroubled Albanian defence. Holmqvist got the equalizer himself, and Ekström got the winner hitting it into the ground and over the goalkeeper following a cushioned header by P. Larsson.

Line-up (4-4-2): Ravelli – R Nilsson, Hysén (c), P Larsson, Ljung – Thern, Strömberg, Prytz (Holmqvist 66), J Nilsson – Pettersson, Ekström.

Int. friendly
26.04.1989

Wales

0–2

Sweden
Schiller (30′)
Ratcliffe (56′ o.g.)

Line-up (4-4-2): Ravelli – R Nilsson, Lönn, Ljung, Schiller – Limpar, Prytz, Thern (c), J Nilsson – Magnusson (Ekström 50), Pettersson

Qualifier 3
07.05.1989
Råsunda Stadion, Stockholm

Sweden
Ljung (76′)
Nylén-Larsson (90+2′)

2–1
(Report)

Poland
Tarasiewicz (87′)

Despite their dominance, Sweden fail to create many good opportunities. In the end they get their win, thanks to strong-willed efforts on set-pieces. Thern is a true driving force in central midfield and Magnusson shows good form on top. Limpar makes a rare appearance, in a strange role. It’s a makeshift defense, and they sometimes struggle with quick Polish attackers.

Line-up (4-4-2): T Ravelli – R Nilsson, Lönn (A Ravelli 83), Ljung, Schiller – Limpar, Prytz, Thern (c), J Nilsson (N Larsson 60) – Ekström, Magnusson.

Int. friendly
31.05.1989

Sweden
Ingesson (33′, 74′)

2–0

Algeria

Line-up (4-4-2): Ravelli – R Nilsson, Hysén (c), Ljung, Schiller – N Larsson, Thern, Prytz (Ingesson 26), J Nilsson – Ekström, Magnusson

Int. friendly
14.06.1989
Idrætsparken, Copenhagen

Denmark
Povlsen (32′)
Elstrup (42′, 74′))
Andersen (64′)
Bartram (70′)
M. Laurup (80′)

6–0
(Report)

Sweden

Line-up (4-4-2): Eriksson – R Nilsson, Hysén (c) (Schiller 39), Lönn, Ljung – Ekström, Strömberg, Prytz (Ingesson 68), J Nilsson – Gren (Thern h-t), Magnusson.

Int. friendly
16.06.1989
Idrætsparken, Copenhagen

Sweden
Rehn (26′)
Ljung (49′ pen.)

2–1
(Report)

Brazil
Cristóvão (79′)

Line-up (4-4-2): Ravelli – R Nilsson (c), Lönn, Ljung, Schiller (Nylén-Larsson h-t) – Limpar, Ingesson, Rehn, J Nilsson – Hellström, Magnusson (Gren 69).

Int. friendly
16.08.1989
Malmö Stadion, Malmö

Sweden
Thern (5′)
Lindqvist (63′)

2–4
(Report)

France
Cantona (57′, 85′)
Papin (61′, 82′)

Line-up (4-4-2): Ravelli – R Nilsson, Hysén (c), P Larsson, Ljung – Limpar (N Larsson 68), Strömberg, Thern, J Nilsson – Hellström, Magnusson (Lindqvist 58).

Qualifier 4
06.09.1989
Råsunda, Stockholm

Sweden

0–0
(Report)

England

After an indifferent summer, Sweden are content with keeping England out. Mr Nordin clearly predominantly focusing on getting a draw, as the main priority was to try and stifle the English flanks. Both Engqvist and Magnusson had opportunities to win it for the Swedish, but it would have been harsh on the visitors, who enjoyed a greater deal of possession. Sweden also thankful to goalkeeper Ravelli for some fine saves, most notably to Lineker’s late first half header, and also early in the second half as the same Spurs striker had threatened twice.

Line-up (4-4-2): Ravelli – R Nilsson, Hysén (c), P Larsson, Ljung – Engqvist, Thern, Ingesson (Strömberg 72), J Nilsson (Limpar 79) – Ekström, Magnusson.

Qualifier 5
08.10.1989
Råsunda, Stockholm

Sweden
Magnusson (20′)
Ingesson (55′)
Engqvist (90′)

3–1
(Report)

Albania
Kushta (9′ pen.)

A must-win match for the Swedish, who fell behind early on, but did not let that trouble them. They kept belief in their approach, and eventually got the goals they deserved. They were never brilliant, but are a hard-working side which usually will create chances. Made the visitors pay for some sloppy defending for 3-1, but looked secure even before that as Albania were unable to threaten going forward after the break.

Line-up (4-4-2): Ravelli – R Nilsson, Hysén (c), P Larsson, Ljung – Gren (Engqivst 67), Thern, Ingesson, Limpar – Ekström (Lindqvist 82), Magnusson.

Qualifier 6
25.10.1989
Stadion Śląski, Chorzów

Poland

0–2
(Report)

Sweden
Larsson (35′ pen.)
Ekström (60′)

Sweden go to Kraków and win, something which secures their qualification for Italia ’90. They finish group winners ahead of England, as the only two points they surrender during the six matches long qualification campaign are during their two scoreless draws against the English. A firmly struck first half penalty by defender Larsson and a superb second half solo effort by pacey forward Ekström make the Polish pay for a somewhat laxidaisical performance. An inspired Sweden are good value for their win.

Line-up (4-4-2): Ravelli – R Nilsson, Hysén (c), P Larsson, Ljung – Engqvist, Thern, Ingesson (N Larsson 70), J Nilsson – Ekström (Lindqvist 82), Magnusson.

Conclusion

To qualify as group winners ahead of England was a major feather in the cap for Sweden manager Olle Nordin and his crew. They had twice had scoreless encounters with the English, and during the game at Wembley, defender Glenn Hysén had given one of the most resounding individual performances throughout the entire Italia ’90 qualification. Sweden had capable players in various positions across the pitch, but first and foremost relied on a strong collective in their tactically astute 4-4-2 formation.

It had been a fine feat to come back from a goal down to beat Albania in hostile circumstances in Tirana, and this set the tone for their qualification after they’d secured that precious point in London. They would then nick a late winner in the early summer home clash against Poland, something which more or less ensured a two-team battle for the top spot. With five points from their opening three matches, Sweden could look forward to the return leg with England in an optimistic mood, even if a couple of heavy summer friendly defeats could’ve taken their toll on morale and belief: Losing 6-0 in Denmark against their arch-rivals and then 4-2 at home to France had been very unusual for a team well known for their defensive mettle.

After an even, yet relatively eventless draw with the English in Stockholm, the Swedish again had to come from behind to beat Albania, and they would travel to Poland knowing that a win would see them overtake England and secure that precious automatic qualifying berth. With Poland’s hopes for qualification gone after their 0-0 draw against England, Sweden stepped up a notch to claim probably their strongest win of the competition by 2-0 in Chorzów. They’d finish top of the pile, with England ultimately joining them for Italia ’90 as one of the two best runners-up across the three qualification groups of only four teams.

Sweden were another team where team consistency was key: Nine players had started four games or more, with three players ever-presents in terms of minutes played. The total number of 22 used also indicated relatively few changes. Much thanks to his out of the world performance at Wembley, Hysén was their best performer, almost averaging 7,50 from his five contributions. Behind him, richly gifted midfielder Jonas Thern, who had secured a move from domestic football to Portugal giants Benfica during the qualification, was possibly their most influental player from midfield, where two Italy based players in Glenn Strömberg and Robert Prytz had disappointed.

PosTeamPlWDLGFGAPts
1Sweden64209310
2England63301009
3Poland6213485
4Albania60063150

Player Statistics

Number of players used: 22
Number of players including unused substitutes: 28
Ever-presents (540 mins): 3 (T Ravelli, Ljung, Thern)
Leading goalscorer: Johnny Ekström (2)
Yellow/red cards: 4/0

– overview

PlayerAppsXISubUnSubMinsGlsY/R
Andersson, Sven6
Dahlin, Martin1
Ekström, Johnny6423862
Engqvist, Leif3212031
Eskilsson, Hans1
Gren, Mats1167
Hellström, Jan2
Holmqvist, Hans211881
Hysén, Glenn554502/0
Ingesson, Klas3312331
Larsson, Niclas Nylén221491
Larsson, Peter55450
Limpar, Anders3211191
Lindqvist, Stefan22116
Ljung, Roger665401
Lönn, Peter11183
Magnusson, Mats4436011/0
Nilsson, Joachim55409
Nilsson, Roland66527
Pettersson, Stefan22180
Prytz, Robert33246
Ravelli, Andreas117
Ravelli, Thomas66540
Rehn, Stefan1
Schiller, Dennis2111103
Schwarz, Stefan2
Strömberg, Glenn3211981/0
Thern, Jonas66540

– game by game

PlayerEng (a)Alb (a)Pol (h)Eng (h)Alb (h)Pol (a)AppsMins
AnderssonRRRRRR
DahlinR
Ekström269090908825+1386
Engqvist9023902+1203
EskilssonR
Gren67167
HellströmRR
Holmqvist64241+188
Hysén90909090905450
IngessonR7290713233
Larsson, N30R19+249
Larsson, P90909090905450
Limpar901190R2+1191
LindqvistR88+216
Ljung9090909090906540
LönnR83183
Magnusson909090904360
Nilsson, J90906079905409
Nilsson, R7790909090906527
Pettersson90902180
Prytz9066903246
Ravelli, A7+17
Ravelli, T9090909090906540
RehnR
Schiller13R901+1103
SchwarzRR
Strömberg9090182+1198
Thern9090909090906540

– ratings

PosPlayerAverage ratingNumber of rated games
1Hysén7,485
2Thern7,056
3Magnusson6,974
4Ljung6,956
5R Nilsson6,916
6T Ravelli6,866
7P Larsson6,805
7J Nilsson6,805
9Ingesson6,803
10Ekström6,716
11Prytz6,703
Explanation to table: Total number of rated games: 6. A player needs to have been given a rating for half or more of the games in order to feature

Post-qualification

Friendly
14.02.1990 United Arab Emirates 2-1 Sweden
Goal: Schwarz
Line-up: S Andersson – N Larsson, Von der Burg, Vaattovaara, Kåmark (Schwarz 82) – Rödlund, Rehn, Engqvist (c) – Erlingmark, Eskilsson, Lindqvist

Friendly
16.02.1990 United Arab Emirates 0-2 Sweden
Goals: Rehn, Ingesson
Line-up: L Eriksson – Kåmark, Erlingmark, J Eriksson, Schwarz – Engqvist (c), Rehn, Ingesson, J Nilsson – K Andersson, Ekström (Eskilsson 81)

Friendly
21.02.1990 Belgium 0-0 Sweden
Line-up: Ravelli – R Nilsson, Hysén (c) (Schwarz h-t), P Larsson, Ljung – Engqvist, Rehn (N Larsson 64), Ingesson, J Nilsson – Pettersson, Magnusson (Ekström 58)

Friendly
11.04.1990 Algeria 1-1 Sweden
Goal: Schwarz (pen.)
Line-up: Ravelli – R Nilsson, Hysén (c), P Larsson, Schwarz – Limpar, Strömberg, Ingesson, J Nilsson – Pettersson (Magnusson 67), Lindqvist (Ekström 53)

Friendly
25.04.1990 Sweden 4-2 Wales
Goals: Brolin 2, Ingesson 2
Line-up: Ravelli – R Nilsson, Hysén (c), P Larsson, Ljung – Engqvist, Ingesson, Schwarz, Limpar – Brolin, Magnusson (Pettersson 70)
Thomas Brolin makes his international debut at the age of 20 with two goals to his name

Friendly
27.05.1990 Sweden 6-0 Finland
Goals: Magnusson, Limpar, Brolin 2, P Larsson (pen.), Thern
Line-up: Ravelli – R Nilsson (N Larsson 64), Ljung, P Larsson, Schwarz – Limpar, Thern (c), Ingesson (Strömberg 73), J Nilsson – Magnusson (Ekström 68), Brolin (Pettersson 68)
…and follows up with a further two in his second match as the Swedes brush their near neighbours Finland aside