Djurgård player Ekdal got the chance from the start in the Swedish defense together with Joakim Nilsson. But in the first half, Nilsson was forced to change due to injury, which meant that Edvin Kurtulus became Thursday’s second Swedish national team debutant.
– It is special with two debutants at midfield. Maybe it’s the first time ever in a Swedish national team that it happens in a competitive match? But we have trained together for a little over a week and I think we did well together. It was not noticed that there was a debutant next to me, says Hjalmar Ekdal.
Hjalmar Ekdal has previously told DN that it is a pity that big brother Albin Ekdal could not be part of his first national team gathering due to injury.
But the 23-year-old midfielder, who was successful in the Allsvenskan Djurgården, could at least rejoice that Albin Ekdal sat in the stands at Friends arena and watched when little brother made his debut in the Swedish shirt.
Despite the fact that Sweden lost the match (0-1), Hjalmar Ekdal was one of the players whose efforts were highlighted by both the experts in Viaplay studio and the national team captain Janne Andersson.
– Had I said that we would play with Hjalmar Ekdal and Edvin Kurtulus as midfield pair with Joel Andersson outside him and Jens Cajuste in front of him, I do not think so many would have believed it. But today I think they take the chance when they play, says Janne Andersson, among other things.
Midfield colleague Joakim Nilsson also had nice words to say about Ekdal:
– He makes a fantastic effort. To come in and do it as well as he does in the duel game and with that weight in a newly formed back line, I have great respect for, says Nilsson.
Ekdal himself describes the extensive injury problems Sweden had in the back line as “slightly unlikely”.
– There are rebids, damages and everything. It is not optimal but if you get the chance you have to take it.
Do you feel that you have taken your chance now?
– I am satisfied with my effort, says Ekdal.
For Edvin Kurtulus’ part, the match also meant that he is now definitely locked in for the Swedish national team after previously also having the opportunity to play for Kosovo.
– It does not matter, I would still have played for Sweden. I have prepared myself as if I will start every match and that at some point the chance will come and today I got it, says Kurtulus.
At the same time, it was not over with the debutants for the Swedish part. Because at the end of the match, Gabriel Gudmundsson, everyday in French Lille, was also replaced.
Read more:
New midfield injury when Sweden fell against Serbia
Swedish midfield crisis ahead of meeting with Serbia: “Messy weeks”