The current generation of players in the Swedish women’s national soccer team has championship medals in the form of WC bronze and Olympic silver. But one is missing the noblest value, something that is only two victories away after the 1-0 win against Belgium in the EC quarter-finals.
One step to reach all the way has been to implement a winning mentality in the team where demands must be placed on each other – even in training.
— It’s a homogeneous community without it being too nice. There is an “edge” in the team. If you are not good enough, you say so quite quickly and concretely and then you move on. It’s an open culture but a hell of a community, says Magdalena Eriksson.
TT: Is that what you call a winning culture?
– I think so. I think it’s evolved into that over the years. Winning culture is not something you just create, it comes from experience. We have so many now who are used to winning in their club teams and have brought that into the national team and over time we have created that, I think, she says.
“Not always happy faces”
Demands on each other are one thing. But there can also be some anger on the training ground.
Something that is positive, according to several of the players.
— I like it. Above all, you get most angry with yourself when you miss. I think that is the most important thing, to look at a player that she sees her mistake and wants to do better, then you almost don’t have to say anything. But we roar away, and many have probably brought that with them from different cultures and environments where it’s a little tougher. But it’s nothing personal, but on the pitch we want each other’s best, says Eriksson.
— It is clear that it is noticeable that there are not always happy faces. Everyone wants to win, which is very positive, that’s how we want it, says Fridolina Rolfö.
TT: Risk of a fight?
— No, I wouldn’t say a fight. But absolutely heated discussions, they do happen. But I think we have a pretty good group and should there be something that doesn’t go well there will always be a discussion after training, says Rolfö.
“Water like a flower”
When Peter Gerhardsson took over the national team in 2017, the national team captain chose to employ the football psychology consultant Rasmus Liljeblad.
He has been highlighted by the players as an important part in that there is a high ceiling towards each other.
“We have a strong foundation in relationship building and relationship maintenance thanks to the work that Rasmus has brought in,” says Hedvig Lindahl.
She continues:
— If you shout and demand something on the pitch, it’s something we actually talked about that we might even want to be a little more demanding of each other, to succeed in getting a little more out when it really matters. But it’s a fine balance, because it can easily turn into someone feeling uncomfortable in that environment. So you have to water it like a flower, that environment, she says.