Sundhage promising positive Sweden

Pia Sundhage began her job as Sweden women's coach on Monday and in her first press conference and declared: "I can promise you that we will do a lot more attacking than defending."

Sundhage, part of the Sweden team that won their only major honour in winning the first European tournament in 1984, was appointed by the UEFA Women's EURO 2013 hosts six weeks ago after ending her spell in charge of the United States following their second Olympic gold under her command.

Having also previously been China assistant coach since leaving her last job in Sweden in 2006, Sundhage is still familiarising herself with the talent available in her homeland and was aided in picking her squad to face Switzerland in Vaxjo next Tuesday by assistant Lilie Persson and youth team manager Calle Barrling.

"I saw Sweden at the FIFA [Women's] World Cup in 2011 when they played well and in the Olympics this summer, when they didn't play so well," said Sundhage, who has no doubt who will be leading her line. "On the other side of the Atlantic, they talk a lot about Lotta Schelin. The US central defenders speak of her ability to make deep runs, and that's something that I want to put to use."

The former Hammarby IF DFF, Boston Breakers, Kolbotn IL and KIF Örebro DFF coach added that Persson's role will be primarily to aid the attack, and another assistant – yet to be revealed – will focus on defence. "But I can promise you that we will do a lot more attacking than defending," Sundhage said.