The newcomer appears to be the solution to Sweden’s midfield crisis.
Hjalmar Ekdal will be hoping to make his international debut against Norway on Sunday night.
– Unbelievably, of course, wonderful. Ekdal says before the match that it is a great honor to play for the Swedish national team.
Pontus Jansson and Marcus Danielson left the national team, Victor Nelson Lindelof and Philip Hellander were injured, Karl Starfelt left the group and Aleksandar Milosevic played injured in the win over Slovenia.
When Sweden plays in the derby against Norway in the Nations League on Sunday, it suddenly Hajlmar Akdal Which appears to be closest to the starting point in the midfield position next to Joachim Nilsson.
“I don’t know how huge the opportunities are, but it’s likely they’ve increased since I joined the group,” says Ekdal.
Ekdal for a debut opportunity
Ekdal is competing to play Edvin Kurtulus and Sotirios Papagianopoulos. The latter was called up just two days before the match against Norway.
Sadly, Nelson Lindelof and Starvelt would have to re-submit, it wasn’t something anyone could have hoped for. The chance to play has increased a bit, but I don’t know how big it is, says Ekdal.
He thinks it’s great to be a part of the national team.
– There are many new impressions, new people. It pays to train with the best in the country, it’s cool and fun.
What will your debut look like?
– Unbelievably, of course, wonderful. It’s a great honor to play for Sweden and to be able to do that against Norway in a rival meeting and maybe meet (Erling Braut) Haaland means you’re tested right away.
“Natural Bear”
It’s easy to get nervous ahead of his debut for the national team.
A little bit of a normal tingle, maybe it is. But as I said before, I don’t know how huge the opportunities are. Ekdal says the chances are maybe a little bigger now, I am self aware so it is important that I am ready and if I get a chance I should take it.
Captain Jan Andersson does not want to give any hints about who will start alongside Joachim Nilsson.
– There are a few different alternatives and we’ll see who it will be. No matter who starts, says Anderson, he’s going to be a relatively new midfielder who will play us a competitive game.
Jocke Nilsson has grown into a reliable midfielder in the national team and has to take care and assist those who will play. I can tell because he will play.