Granqvist relishing care roles in Sweden and Russia

• Sweden now heading Group A, forward of France and a Netherlands




• New captain Andreas Granqvist has played in Russia given 2013




• Skipper assured that “Swedish inhabitant organisation is some-more than usually Zlatan”

When Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his retirement from general football after UEFA EURO 2016, many insincere that a detriment of Sweden’s talismanic personality would repairs their chances of subordinate for a 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

However, this has valid distant from a case, as after 6 matches played a Swedes are sitting atop subordinate Group A above favourites France and a Netherlands. Ibrahimovic’s deputy as captain, Andreas Granqvist – who plays his bar football in Russia for FC Krasnodar – says that he never doubted that there would be life after Zlatan.

“Zlatan is a illusory player, one of a best in Sweden’s history,” Granqvist pronounced in an talk with FIFA.com, “but a inhabitant organisation was not usually Zlatan. After he retired, there were still 3 or 4 gifted and reputable footballers in a squad, whom everybody looks adult to.

“For now, all is operative out glorious and few would have believed before a qualifiers that we’d be initial in a organisation with France and Holland.”

Toivonen’s glorious strike
Janne Andersson’s side climbed into stick position after violence Les Blues 2-1 in June. Ola Toivonen’s personality from a centre circle, throwing Hugo Lloris off-guard following his bad clearance, was a noted strike and positively stands as one of a stand-out goals from a qualifiers so far.

“It was an unimaginable feeling when Ola’s bid forsaken into a net,” Granqvist recalled. “Snatching feat in a final notation opposite one of a best countries in a world, with a thought from a median line, was amazing. Honestly, we’d have been happy with 1-1, given France were dire tough in a second half and we were forced into a lot of defending.”

Three of Sweden’s 4 remaining matches in gift are divided from home, including opposite Bulgaria and a Netherlands, who are both in prohibited pursuit.

“We need to continue to trust in ourselves,” Granqvist insisted. “We’ll try to take limit points in a arriving games opposite Bulgaria and Belarus, while gripping an eye on a other teams. France are hosting Holland in Aug – that could be a defining tie in a group.”

#WCQ | Group A (EUROPE)
Next turn 31 Aug
BulgariaSweden
FranceNetherlands
LuxembourgBelarus pic.twitter.com/8LLzG87poe

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 9, 2017

Andersson has formerly settled that a disaster to validate for a prior dual World Cups was a produce blow to a team’s self-esteem. On this point, a skipper is in full agreement with his conduct coach.

“I’ve played in 3 EUROs,” a 32-year-old continued, “but so distant I’ve never done it to a World Cup. Yet for an general footballer it’s a many critical competition. It would be intensely unpleasant to disaster adult this possibility and skip a vessel for a World Cup again, generally as it’s holding place in Russia, where I’ve been personification for a final 4 years.

“I’m not worried about a cities that are hosting it; glorious new stadiums have been built all over a country. The Confederations Cup in Russia left a good impression, and I’m certain a World Cup will be an even larger success. we unequivocally wish we’ll be partaking in this celebration. Getting to Russia 2018 will be a exhale of uninformed atmosphere for Swedish football.”

A captain’s role
Bagging such a reliable, unchanging and confident executive defender is a cadence of fitness for any side. In a 4 years given Granqvist assimilated Krasnodar from Genoa, he has turn a buttress during a bar and has done over 150 appearances.

“When we initial listened that Krasnodar were interested, we thought, ‘Where even is that?'” a defender remembered with a smile. “I had no thought about Russian football behind then. When we came to have a demeanour around during a club, we couldn’t trust my eyes. we really wasn’t awaiting such good conditions for training, and a meridian incited out to be flattering pleasing as well.

“Since I’ve been here, Krasnodar have finished in a tip 3 for a initial time in story and we frequently play in Europe. The new track was recently unveiled, that we consider is a best in Russia. And, of course, I’m really unapproachable a organisation chose me, a foreigner, as their captain.”

But does wearing a armband for bar and nation infrequently move too most responsibility?

“The captaincy is a outrageous honour,” Granqvist responded. “How can it presumably be a burden? I’m a kind of chairman who talks some-more on a representation and in a sauce room than in bland life. A captain needs to pronounce a lot. we like being a personality and moving my team-mates with certain energy.

“It’s loyal that infrequently we have to give a lads a jar so they don’t take their feet off a gas too soon. For example, now we’re sitting flattering in a subordinate organisation – though we’ll continue to essay with all we’ve got.”

Upcoming fixtures
Bulgaria-Sweden (31 August, Sofia)
Belarus-Sweden (3 September, Borisov)
Sweden-Luxembourg (7 October, Solna)
Netherlands-Sweden (10 October, Amsterdam)

Article source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=8/news=granqvist-relishing-leadership-roles-in-sweden-and-russia-2903438.html