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Football World Cup just the beginning for Potter: 'Very expectant'
🇸🇪 Sweden /Sports

Football World Cup just the beginning for Potter: 'Very expectant'

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Sweden's national football team coach Graham Potter reflected on the team's World Cup exit after a 0-3 loss in the round of 16.
  • Potter expressed pride and gratitude for his time with the team, acknowledging areas for improvement.
  • He highlighted the development of young players and looks forward to the upcoming Nations League and Euro 2028 qualifiers.

Following Sweden's exit from the FIFA World Cup after a 0-3 defeat to a top-ranked opponent in the round of 16, national team coach Graham Potter is reflecting on the experience. "It will take a while for everything to sink in," the Englishman stated, "but the overwhelming feeling is pride and gratitude for having been part of this team. It has been an incredible journey."

I think it will take a while to let everything sink in. The overwhelming feeling is pride and gratitude over having been part of this team. It has been an incredible journey.

— Graham PotterReflecting on Sweden's World Cup experience after their elimination.

Potter acknowledged a degree of disappointment, recognizing that Sweden was not yet ready to advance further. He conceded that even playing their best match might not have been enough against what he considers the world's strongest team. "We had to play the game of our lives, I think, and even if we had done so, I'm not sure it would have been enough," Potter said, referring to the match.

We had to play the game of our lives, I think, and even if we had done so, I'm not sure it would have been enough.

— Graham PotterAssessing the team's performance in the round of 16 match.

Taking over a team that was struggling, Potter focused on short-term, pragmatic results. He believes the team performed well, despite losses to strong opponents like the Netherlands and France. "We still have some work to do," he admitted, "but there is much that I am very positive about. I am looking forward to the future." He noted that the team has gained valuable experience, with many players making their tournament debuts.

We still have some work to do. But there is much that I am very positive about. I am looking forward to the future.

— Graham PotterExpressing optimism about the team's future development.

Potter specifically praised the performances of goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström, Lucas Bergvall, and Anthony Elanga, among others. He sees the upcoming Nations League matches and the qualification campaign for Euro 2028 as opportunities to build on the progress made. "It's a young team," he concluded, indicating potential for growth and future success.

It's a young team.

— Graham PotterDescribing the current Swedish national football squad.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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