Young stars sparkle for Dennerby's Sweden

At the start of the year, Sweden's hopes of victory at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ seemed to have been tarnished by the international retirements of goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson, captain Frida Östberg and iconic attacker Hanna Ljungberg. But with the finals in Finland kicking off on 23 August, Thomas Dennerby's side look the most likely challengers to Germany having beaten them and the United States in winning the prestigious Algarve Cup in March. They then followed that up with a 3-1 defeat of Brazil six weeks later. Dennerby spoke to uefa.com about the development of their side with new talents such as Kosovare Asllani and Louise Fors.

uefa.com: Do you think Sweden can challenge for the title?

Thomas Dennerby: We are ranked number two in Europe, so of course we have a good opportunity. We are not going there just to take part. Of course we have a vision and a goal, but I certainly think we have a good chance of competing for medals.

uefa.com: Are you pleased with the way the younger players are fitting into the squad?

Dennerby: Yes, we have a lot of players born in '89 in this group now. It is a really good time to change the players and we have, since I started as a national coach in 2005, changed three or four players per year. I think that is a good way to do it, not eight or something like that. I think we have a good new generation coming on.

uefa.com: What do you think of your first opponent in the finals, Russia?

Dennerby: I think they're a team with good technical skills, good passing, a couple of good players in the front line and some good players in midfield, with good vision. I also know that [champion club Zvezda-2005] reached the final of the UEFA Women's Cup, so they have good players and they are so much better than people appreciate.

uefa.com: You beat Italy twice in qualifying, can you do so again?

Dennerby: It is always a new game, but I think that normally, if we have a good day, we have a good chance of beating them. But football is a game where you can have the ball a lot and create chances but it is not certain you will score.

uefa.com: You beat England in 2005, will they be a big threat to you this time?

Dennerby: Yes, it is always a very tough game when we meet England, played at a high pace. They are a tough team to beat, the toughest group match.

uefa.com: You will play your group games in Turku. Are you pleased about that and do you expect big support there?

Dennerby: Yes, if you want to go to Turku from Stockholm, it is very easy. You can go by boat, so we hope that some supporters will come to support us during the championship.

uefa.com: Do you think Sweden will benefit from the timing of the tournament in August, when your league is in full swing, but not in places like England, Germany or France?

Dennerby: Yes, for several reasons. The players will be used to playing games and I think they are going to be very fit. It used to be that way, that Swedish players were very good in August and September, so that is a good thing for us. But when you are playing tough games in the league then you can get players injured and you don't have time to prepare them again and get them back in good shape.