In August 2020, Olivia Mellegård tore off her anterior cruciate ligament and inner ligament in one knee after landing incorrectly during a match with her Danish club Copenhagen.

The 25-year-old left winger missed both the European Championships 2020 and the Olympics in Tokyo this summer.

But at the end of September she made a comeback and now she is one of 18 players in Tomas Axnér's squad for the World Cup in Spain.

- It is very big and fun, says Mellegård to SVT Sport.

How has the road back been?

- It has taken time to feel that you are completely back.

You had expected to be where you ended up but realize that you will have to work to get there again.

But it has felt better and better in recent weeks.

"Do not know what to expect"

16 players were selected in connection with the presentation of the World Cup squad in early November - Mellegård was not one of them.

After the genre rope against Montenegro, however, she managed to convince Axnér and snagged one of two extra places for the World Cup.

- I got very happy.

I have been working all the time to get ready and ready to be selected but it was not something I expected, so I am very happy.

In addition to Mellegård, Elin Hansson and Clara Lerby have also been selected for the left-hand exposition.

Before the injury, Mellegård played mostly from the start.

In the World Cup premiere against Uzbekistan, which Sweden won 46-15, she had to start on the bench but got playing time and became a two-goal shooter.

How do you think your role in the national team has changed since the injury?

- There is high competition in that position so I do not know what to expect.

But once I get to play, I will go full.

CLIP: Swedish major victory in the World Cup premiere (3/12 2021)

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Sweden won the World Cup premiere.

Photo: Bildbyrån