Sweden's spy in the Greece camp
Monday, June 9, 2008
Article summary
Sweden begin their campaign against holders Greece om Tuesday and Panathinaikos FC left-back Mikael Nilsson has a self-professed inside track on the opposition.
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Inside knowledge
The versatile Mikael Nilsson has just completed his third season with Panathinaikos FC and has six club-mates in the Greece squad together with many of his regular league rivals alongside them. There is little he does not know then about Sweden's first Group D opponents, though he reveals that in any case the coaching team have done their homework. "I know the Greek players very well," Nilsson said. "But I can tell from the team briefings we've had that the Swedish management knows at least as much about the Greek team as I do." And can they retain the title? "I think they're as strong as they were four years ago. Possibly their defence is a little bit weaker, but all in all they look good."
Versatile
Nilsson has just completed his third, and for him best, season with Panathinaikos since moving there from English club Southampton FC. Nilsson's versatility means that both club and country can use him as either midfielder or full-back, and on the left as well as the right. In fact he started his career as an attacking midfielder, scoring twice on his international debut against the Czech Republic in 2002. During the course of Sweden's run to the UEFA EURO 2004™ quarter-finals, however, Nilsson took over at left-back following an injury to Teddy Lučić and that remains his primary role and one which he is likely to fill against Greece in Salzburg.
Wait nearly over
Sweden and Greece will be the last two teams to be let loose on the UEFA EURO 2008™ stage and Nilsson, who hopes to still be at the finals when he turns 30 on 24 June, is itching to get started. "We spent two weeks [training] in Sweden and now we've been here for some days," he said. "Of course it's great that the matches are finally starting. After all, that's why we're here." While Sweden have been waiting, the squad have sneaked a peek at the initial games, and Nilsson has so far been most impressed by Portugal. He added: "The main thing we can take from watching the opening matches is the atmosphere around the matches. It's been fantastic, and a reminder of what it's going to be like for us on Tuesday."
