Sweden =Underdogs or a real threath?

[LarsSon]

Do you think sweden could knock the big teams out or are they just underdogs and most likely not gonna go past their group?
(assuming they go to wc)

[Teso Dos Bichos]

They have the players and team ethic to do damage.

[LarsSon]

They have the players and team ethic to do damage.
Noone seems to feel the same way. I belive my team has the team spirit to destroy even the best team around. Noone seems to feel sweden is a threath exept usa or mexico. far away countries. why is that so? usa and mexico knows the best team is not a team from a big leauge country. Examples - La liga, italian leage, premier leauge, german leauge ...so on. why do they know that?

explain it to me!!!!!

[Teso Dos Bichos]

It is because they don't have the big name players that other countries have. Apart from Ljungberg, no-one really knew about your players that much. Obviously you can now add Ibrahimovic and Larsson, although that is only really because of their recent big moves. Ask someone who Wilhelmson is and they probably wouldn't have a clue! Still, it is better that way because your team has no pressure and it annoys rival fans even more when you do well against them. :D

[LarsSon]

It is because they don't have the big name players that other countries have. Apart from Ljungberg, no-one really knew about your players that much. Obviously you can now add Ibrahimovic and Larsson, although that is only really because of their recent big moves. Ask someone who Wilhelmson is and they probably wouldn't have a clue! Still, it is better that way because your team has no pressure and it annoys rival fans even more when you do well against them. :D
Thanks. you explained it perfectly for me. I would love to add another name to the talented swedish squad list - Markus Rosenberg. he will be bigger than wilhelmsson, thats for certain.

[junjunforever]

hmm. right below czech and portugal, and right above USA, Mexico or South Korea. i'd expect them to get past their group and up to quarter finals if they get a good opponent.

[BoysInGreen]

For awhile I've rated Sweden quite highly. The World Rankings flatters some teams, and doesn't do others justice.. Sweden being an example of one of the teams not given their due.

[Hrvat]

(assuming they go to wc)

I find that a big problem, at least when it comes to going through as winners of the group. :D

[Kroldrup]

Sweden & Denmark are one of the best sides in Europe, without a doubt. they both made it to the quarterfinals of the Euro 2004 and can be a real threat in the future.

[schafer]

I think Sweden is a team that could definitely reach the Round of 16, maybe the quarters at the next world cup. Not many stars, but a lot of solid players, and they did tie Italy and take Holland to penalties at the Euros

[manu11]

Sweden is good enough to beat any team. I think that they can go really far in the WC.

[Trussy in Oz]

LarsSon,

Althrough I don't think they will win it I did make some big predictions about them, on this MB, a little earlier.

13-02-05
“Before the draw final fours are hard to predict, but I would guess it will be the usual suspects with maybe a dark horse of sorts.

Argentina
Brazil
Germany
Sweden

Looking forward to revisiting this post in the archives in 500 odd days time just to see how close we all were.”

13-12-04
“Sweden are the real dark horses for this event, we could quite simply wake up and find them in the final, for a huge outsider look out for the USA, Cote d’Ivoire or my personnel favorite Australia making a big splash.
Meanwhile who will get around to winning the thing, well simply put, Brazil and Argentina remain the usual suspects.
Huge prediction 18 months from the event Argentina 3-1 Sweden Final.”

Now having said that, they will now fail to even qualify and my wonderful prediction ability will be greatly undermined.

[Big George]

I think they would be considered an underdog to win it all,
but they should be able to make it passed the group stages.
Then again, looks like they might need to go into a 2 game
playoff in order to qualify, as it seems like the Croatians are
going to give them a run for 1st palce in the group

[Sid Wilson]

sweden are a real threat they've got great players.

i like the rosenberg-Ibrahimovic, if they use that partnership good results will come

[IASocFan]

In 2002, they won the group over England, Nigeria, and Argentina!

[Sid Wilson]

yeh, look at their ages now, henik did good but now he's like 33-34 and he from what ive seen he hasnt been playing well at barca

[ToonUSA]

I like the Swedish team, they are always solid. I predict quarters and possibly semis. They also have a very good fan base which helps them out a lot. Also that yellow is quite intimidating and is it just me or do the Swedes look faster than the others?

[guado]

henrik hasn't been playing much at barca (i can't remember his last appearance.) if he goes, it'll basically be his last hurrah. but the future looks good with ibrahimovic leading the way.

[Ombak]

henrik hasn't been playing much at barca (i can't remember his last appearance.) if he goes, it'll basically be his last hurrah. but the future looks good with ibrahimovic leading the way.It's tough to play after tearing a knee ligament. He'll be back next season.

[guado]

yeah barca said they were looking forward to having him play next year. but 2006 will be his last cup, his last chance to shine (maybe a 94-esque appearance? except i liked the braids better than the shaved head.)