Sweden will play Poland in a decisive World Cup playoff match at the Nationalarenan on Tuesday at 20:45. The match is sold out, with around 49,500 spectators expected, following Sweden's 3-1 victory over Ukraine in Valencia. Swedish defender Carl Starfelt called it an opportunity to take Sweden to the World Cup and do something many did not believe in a few months ago.
Midfielder Jesper Karlström noted the support against Ukraine was the best he had experienced in an away match, with an estimated 3,000 Swedish fans present. Sweden previously lost 2-0 to Poland in a 2022 playoff for the Qatar World Cup, a match where Karlström conceded a penalty and received hate and threats on social media, leading to police involvement. Karlström said it feels like destiny to face Poland again in a decisive match, but he is not thinking about personal revenge, focusing instead on the group and Sweden experiencing a World Cup.
it feels like destiny to face Poland again in a decisive match, but he is not thinking about personal revenge, focusing instead on the group and Sweden experiencing a World Cup
He attributes his growth as a national team player to experience, more caps, playing in Serie A, and increased confidence.
the support against Ukraine was the best he had experienced in an away match, with an estimated 3,000 Swedish fans present
it an opportunity to take Sweden to the World Cup and do something many did not believe in a few months ago