Swedish game engine Jim Gottfridsson, recently named the world's best player, misses the rest of the World Cup because of the fracture in his left hand that he suffered in the quarter-final against Egypt.
This means that Felix Claar, the squad's only middle nine, gets to shoulder the role of game engine in tonight's semi-final against France.
- I like to take responsibility.
The more you play, the more you dare to take on and you dare to risk more, says Claar.
The 26-year-old has been playing since 2020 in Ålborg, Denmark, where he has a bigger role than he has had so far in the national team.
- Yes that's how it is.
I have a slightly bigger role in the club than here, perhaps.
So I'm kind of used to it, absolutely.
Claar and Ekberg before the semi-finals:
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Claar and Ekberg before the semi-finals
"Awesome match"
Experienced center six Max Darj does not think that the Swedish game changes too much without Gottfridsson on the field.
- No I do not think so.
Felix has played many minutes in the national team and Eric (Johansson) showed against Egypt that he is ready to step in and have an even bigger role.
And Carlsbogård (Jonathan) knows what it's like.
So I don't think the game will change that much, says Darj.
It is the third time in three years that Sweden meets France in a major semi-final.
In both WC 2021 and EC 2022, there was a Swedish victory.
- Awesome match.
We have beaten them in two semi-finals so it will be a revenge-hungry France, says Claar.
The match starts at 21.00 tonight and SVT Sport reports live.
CUT: Favoring France - again
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Glenn Solberg keeps France favorites in the World Cup semi-finals.
Photo: Bildbyrån