Group 4: Söderberg ready for Poland

Sweden and Poland will lock horns again after being drawn together in Group 4.

Previous meeting
The two teams met during the qualifying campaign for EURO 2000™ with the Swedes winning both encounters before topping the group. Top seeds Sweden will also have to overcome Hungary, Latvia and San Marino if they are to make it to the finals in Portugal.

Soderberg confident
Coach Tommy Söderberg was happy with his team's lot. He said: "I think it’s a normal group for a qualifying campaign. For the shape we’re in, it’s a good group and I am confident that we can do well. We’ve got experience of Poland and beat them home and away last time and Hungary have got a very good Under-21 team and will be tough. I think it’s really important that we have a good concentration level. If we do then we will do okay."

Engel optimistic
Polish coach Jerzy Engel was positive about his team’s chances of progress. He said: "I am very optimistic because I think this is a group that gives us a good chance of going through. Sweden are the favourites but we can be second and battle with them for qualification."

Hungary growing up
Poland were the first European team to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Yet Engel acknowledged qualification may be less straightforward this time round and cited Hungary as a threat. Engel said: "All teams are dangerous. Hungary are growing up in football and we have to be very careful. They have lots of good young players and a big support."

'A strong group'
Imré Gellei, the coach of Hungary, knows that his team will have a very tough group to overcome. He said: "We are in a very strong group, two teams are in the World Cup but we hope to cause a surprise and will do our best to qualify." Gellei also believes Latvia and San Marino will be no pushovers, saying: "We also have no reason to say that the other teams in the group are weak and can cause surprises."

Latvia disappointed
Latvia Football Federation general secretary Janis Mezeckis revealed that he was disappointed with the draw. "From the financial point of view, our group is not very lucky for us. The only interesting option in this respect is Sweden. On the other hand, we have a shot at a decent group finish," said Mezeckis.

World Cup downfall
He added: "Sweden and Poland will be going to the World Cup, but I think this is good for us, as after this tournament the national teams normally drop a little. With regards to San Marino, we have a debt we need to pay back to them and I think Latvia will be in contention for one of the two top spots."