Thomas Dennerby is looking forward to April 22. Then Germany and Sweden will meet for a classic encounter in Dresden. The coach of the Tre Kronor, responsible since 2005, hopes the match will bring his players one step further on their way to FIFA Women's World Cup 2011. Dennerby talked about his expectations for the upcoming match with DFB editor Niels Barnhofer.
DFB.de: Thomas Dennerby, what does it mean to you to play against Germany?
Thomas Dennerby: It's always very interesting and fair games. And to play against the defending World Champion is always very exciting.
DFB.de: With what kind of expectation do you go into the game in Dresden?
Dennerby: I really hope that our performance will be good. Of course the result is important but when it comes to the end after a friendly game what we did on the field is the most important.
DFB.de: Sweden vs. Germany is always a prestigious meeting – do you see it like this?
Dennerby: Yes I do, it´s two teams with a strong willing to win attitude.
DFB.de: What makes it so special to play Germany?
Dennerby: You know that you are playing one of the best in the world, a team beating us in a number of finals in big tournaments. A good result tells you that you are a really good team.
DFB.de: What do you think about the German team?
Dennerby: Absolutely one of the best teams in the world, very well organized, the players have big trust to the playing philosophy. Very good players at international top level.
DFB.de: At the moment you play the World Cup qualification, how does this friendly game fit into your schedule?
Dennerby: It fits us very well. This game is the last before we play Czech Republic in a very important qualification game at home in June. If we win the game we are probably qualified for the World Cup play off in September.
DFB.de: How important is it for you to make it to the World Cup tournament 2011?
Dennerby: It is very important. Sweden really needs to participate in Germany. If we do not we also missing the Olympics in London 2012. There is no good with decreased interest for ladies football, particularly from a media point of view.
DFB.de: Some people already pointed your team out as one of the favourites for the title in 2011. Do you agree?
Dennerby: First of all we have to handle the qualification. If we are one of the teams participating in Germany we and 5-6 nations have the opportunity to win but the big favourites are Germany, USA and Brazil.
DFB.de: What are the strengths of your team?
Dennerby: We are defensively good organized and it´s hard to score against Sweden. We work hard and have a good ability to win the ball back. Our build up play is getting better and better and we still have really good counterattacks.
DFB.de: Who are your key players?
Dennerby: Everyone is a key player, what we do as a the team is the most important. When we meet Germany everybody needs to take full responsibility. But when Sara Thunebro, Caroline Seger, Therese Sjögran and Lotta Schelin playing their best games Sweden use to be hard to beat.
DFB.de: A while ago Hanna Ljungberg finished her career, last year Victoria Svensson quit the game – how big is that loss?
Dennerby: Of course it´s a big loss, but new players waiting for the chance to take over their roles. Two extra ordinary talented players. Probably the best forwards couple in the world the years around 2003.
DFB.de: Even though Sweden played a good EURO 2009 tournament you got beaten by Norway in the Quarterfinal. Was there any kind of learning experience inherent in this defeat?
Dennerby: You must be at your best when you need it the most. Sweden only lost one competitive game last year and we all have the feeling that 2009 was a useless year.
DFB.de: Dresden is a host city of the World Cup 2011 – are looking forward to come back again?
Dennerby: Of course, the World Cup is the biggest football event in the world and we want to be there.
DFB.de: What expectations have you got regarding World Cup 2011 in Germany?
Dennerby: First of all to be there. If we participate I hope that our opponents have the feeling that they have to be aware of Sweden, because we can beat all the other teams. And sooner our later is it time for Sweden to win a big tournament. Hopefully already 2011.
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Thomas Dennerby is looking forward to April 22. Then Germany and Sweden will meet for a classic encounter in Dresden. The coach of the Tre Kronor, responsible since 2005, hopes the match will bring his players one step further on their way to FIFA Women's World Cup 2011. Dennerby talked about his expectations for the upcoming match with DFB editor Niels Barnhofer.
DFB.de: Thomas Dennerby, what does it mean to you to play against Germany?
Thomas Dennerby: It's always very interesting and fair games. And to play against the defending World Champion is always very exciting.
DFB.de: With what kind of expectation do you go into the game in Dresden?
Dennerby: I really hope that our performance will be good. Of course the result is important but when it comes to the end after a friendly game what we did on the field is the most important.
DFB.de: Sweden vs. Germany is always a prestigious meeting – do you see it like this?
Dennerby: Yes I do, it´s two teams with a strong willing to win attitude.
DFB.de: What makes it so special to play Germany?
Dennerby: You know that you are playing one of the best in the world, a team beating us in a number of finals in big tournaments. A good result tells you that you are a really good team.
DFB.de: What do you think about the German team?
Dennerby: Absolutely one of the best teams in the world, very well organized, the players have big trust to the playing philosophy. Very good players at international top level.
DFB.de: At the moment you play the World Cup qualification, how does this friendly game fit into your schedule?
Dennerby: It fits us very well. This game is the last before we play Czech Republic in a very important qualification game at home in June. If we win the game we are probably qualified for the World Cup play off in September.
DFB.de: How important is it for you to make it to the World Cup tournament 2011?
Dennerby: It is very important. Sweden really needs to participate in Germany. If we do not we also missing the Olympics in London 2012. There is no good with decreased interest for ladies football, particularly from a media point of view.
DFB.de: Some people already pointed your team out as one of the favourites for the title in 2011. Do you agree?
Dennerby: First of all we have to handle the qualification. If we are one of the teams participating in Germany we and 5-6 nations have the opportunity to win but the big favourites are Germany, USA and Brazil.
DFB.de: What are the strengths of your team?
Dennerby: We are defensively good organized and it´s hard to score against Sweden. We work hard and have a good ability to win the ball back. Our build up play is getting better and better and we still have really good counterattacks.
DFB.de: Who are your key players?
Dennerby: Everyone is a key player, what we do as a the team is the most important. When we meet Germany everybody needs to take full responsibility. But when Sara Thunebro, Caroline Seger, Therese Sjögran and Lotta Schelin playing their best games Sweden use to be hard to beat.
DFB.de: A while ago Hanna Ljungberg finished her career, last year Victoria Svensson quit the game – how big is that loss?
Dennerby: Of course it´s a big loss, but new players waiting for the chance to take over their roles. Two extra ordinary talented players. Probably the best forwards couple in the world the years around 2003.
DFB.de: Even though Sweden played a good EURO 2009 tournament you got beaten by Norway in the Quarterfinal. Was there any kind of learning experience inherent in this defeat?
Dennerby: You must be at your best when you need it the most. Sweden only lost one competitive game last year and we all have the feeling that 2009 was a useless year.
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DFB.de: Dresden is a host city of the World Cup 2011 – are looking forward to come back again?
Dennerby: Of course, the World Cup is the biggest football event in the world and we want to be there.
DFB.de: What expectations have you got regarding World Cup 2011 in Germany?
Dennerby: First of all to be there. If we participate I hope that our opponents have the feeling that they have to be aware of Sweden, because we can beat all the other teams. And sooner our later is it time for Sweden to win a big tournament. Hopefully already 2011.
