Elmander magic inspiring Swedes

By Tim Dykes in Düsseldorf

Sweden raced through to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship by winning their first two matches to seal top spot in Group B. The back-to-back victories were in no small part down to the exploits of striker Johan Elmander, the tournament's joint-top scorer, who picked up three goals, an assist and two man-of-the-match awards before being rested for his country's victory against Switzerland.

Brøndby move
Elmander has already played nine times for the senior side but was overlooked for UEFA EURO 2004™, leaving him free to shine in Germany. The striker, whose size and strength make him a formidable opponent at this level, has recently moved from Feyenoord to Brøndby IF, whose coach Michael Laudrup said: "Elmander has a special ability to score goals which decide matches."

Nilsson praise
Torbjörn Nilsson is also an enormous fan of the 23-year-old. "He scored three goals and passed for one assist here," explained the Swedish Under-21 coach. "Every team needs players that can frighten the opposition and Johan is one of those." With Elmander planning to unsettle the Serbia and Montenegro defence in Oberhausen on Saturday, uefa.com spoke to the man of the moment.

uefa.com: Sweden were the first team to qualify for the semi-finals. Were you surprised to go through so quickly?

Elmander: Yes a little bit. You're playing with Germany and Portugal - two really good teams - and the group is really hard, so of course we're a little bit surprised. But we knew we had a good team.

uefa.com: Although you were given a rest by your coach, was it hard for the team to focus on the last Group B match with the semi-finals in mind?

Elmander: Of course a little bit. But it was really important for us also to end the group pretty well before thinking about the other game.

uefa.com: Are you pleased that pre-tournament favourites Italy turned their fortunes around and won Group A, keeping Sweden apart from them in the last four?

Elmander: It think so because Italy are always good. But you never know, we have beaten Germany and Portugal so I think we'd have a good chance against Italy also.

uefa.com: What did you make of Nilsson's decision to rest nine of the players that started in the Germany game for the 3-1 win against Switzerland?

Elmander: It was good because it's always important to have a lot of good fit players. We've only just started the season in Sweden so most of the squad haven't been playing that many matches. I think there are a couple of us playing out in Europe so we've been having a long season but we only have two games to go now so it's not that dangerous.

uefa.com: How are you and the Swedish team filling your spare time between matchdays here in Germany?

Elmander: We're not training that hard at all and when you get back to the hotel you try to get rest and eat good, get some sleep and just take it easy, not do too much and stay out of the sun. A bed and good food - that's all you need.

uefa.com: What has been the secret to Sweden's success so far in the tournament?

Elmander: Everybody's working. I think that's the key word for it, we're working together. We don't have a big star in the team and that's really important also. We've been playing really clever in defence and when we get the chance we score.