Svensson shines for Sweden

uefa.com's Simon Hart catches up with Swedish midfield star Anders Svensson ahead of his side's FIFA World Cup second round match against Senegal 

"My most important goal ever," is how Sweden's Anders Svensson described the free-kick against Argentina which sent his country into the second round of the FIFA World Cup - and sent the much fancied South Americans home.

Memorable performance
The eighth goal of the 25-year-old's international career, it put the seal on a memorable first-round performance by the Swedes, who survived the Group of Death with an ease that would put legendary escapologist Harry Houdini to shame. Svensson acknowledged that their efforts so far have been "a bit of a surprise" and added: "Obviously almost everyone thought Sweden would end up last in the group but I think we have shown the world and ourselves too that we can play good football."

'An excellent side'
From rank outsiders, Sweden now have what, on paper at least, appears a negotiable path to the semi-finals - they face Senegal in Oita tomorrow with the winner taking on either Japan or Turkey in the last eight. However, this speculation gets short shrift. "If you think like that you're going out straight away," Svensson said. "We're facing Senegal now and they are an excellent side. They have beaten France 1-0 and we have to play at our highest level to have a chance against them."

No looking back
For Svensson and for Sweden, there has been no looking back since the second-half fightback in their opening game against England which secured a point in Saitama. "We got a lot of self-confidence from the first game against England," he said. "We didn't play so well in the first half but in the second we showed we can play really good football and create loads of chances. After that we kept on going."

'Most important goal ever'
That improvement coincided happily with his appearance as a substitute and he has started both games since. After a "really good game" against Nigeria came Argentina and that goal. "Playing in the World Cup is the biggest thing you can do as a footballer and to score a goal in a crucial game like that - of course, it's my most important goal ever," he said of his strike past Pablo Cavallero from fully 30 metres.

'We had a bit of luck'
It was a goal against the run of play, as Svensson admitted. "We felt before the game that we were a bit tired and Argentina were probably the best team we have ever played against. We had to defend almost all the game and had a bit of luck. But if you look at the England game against Argentina they played almost with one striker and defended excellently as well."

'Higher tempo'
It is in England where the engaging Svensson plays his club football with Southampton FC. The Gothenburg-born midfield player arrived there last year from IF Elfsborg, where he won the Swedish Cup in 2001. "It's a different kind of football in England - it is much faster, much tougher so I think I've improved a great deal," he said. "I have to perform my skills at a much higher tempo."

Greatest asset
Now Svensson is demonstrating those skills at football's highest level and enjoying every minute of it - on and off the pitch. Asked by a French television journalist what his greatest asset is, he replied: "I don't know - I'm quite funny I've heard, that's about it." Later, he ambled downstairs to sign autographs and pose for pictures with waiting Japanese.

'A big moment'
He was an enthused fan himself at the time of Sweden's last World Cup appearance in the United States in 1994. "I watched every game and it was a big moment for us Swedes playing so well in the World Cup. I enjoyed that summer very much, but of course I'm enjoying this summer much more."