Dennerby demands more graft
Friday, August 28, 2009
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Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby said his team were guilty of "standing still" after scoring the two goals which defeated Italy and assured them of a place in the quarter-finals from Group C.
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Thomas Dennerby said his Sweden side failed to keep up their hard work off the ball after they had scored their two early goals but he was quick to salute the quality in that opening spell when the game was effectively won. Italian counterpart Pietro Ghedin took positives from the defeat and said he was "proud" of his players for their second-half display.
Thomas Dennerby, Sweden coach
For the first 20 minutes I was very satisfied with the way we played. We used the spaces that we talked about before the game especially down the left side. But then we started playing while standing still and we have to move much quicker. I agree there was a physical difference between the teams. I have talked about this with the Italian coach and after one of our earlier victories he remarked that for his team it was like playing men. I made the change in defence because Sara [Larsson] had a sore feeling in her hamstring and we will have to see how she is for the next game. We will be going all out to win our final group match. We want to finish first because that would mean we avoid Germany in the quarter-final. We would prefer to play another opponent but of course we know that if we want to go all the way in this tournament we have to beat all the teams.
Caroline Seger, Sweden midfielder & Carlsberg Player of the Match
We did what we were told to do and scored two goals early on. That meant we weren't stressed and maybe that's the reason why we were worse for the rest of the 70 minutes. But I don't really care because we won and that's the most important thing. I'm happy to play well for only 20 minutes or 25 or 89 as long as we win.
Pietro Ghedin, Italy coach
Obviously we are disappointed with the result but not the way we played. Sweden's pressure surprised us at the start. My players got emotional and I think they feared Sweden in that spell but, after that, I thought we played well. I am proud of my players because they played a good second half and they left the field with their heads held high. Are Sweden the strongest challengers to Germany in this tournament? For me, Sweden and Finland are both strong, as are England. And Norway will show more from now on.