The poking for the World Cup last year came as a shock to seasoned goalkeeper Sara Grahn. Nobben has taken a toll on her.
- I wouldn't be lying if I said it's been hard of course. It's probably harder than I've wanted to say outwardly. You have to deal with new things and learn new ways to take. It's also a little more carrot to prove how good I am. But a learning period, too, I would say," she says.
Grahn was not only involved, but also made a big play when Luleå won its fifth consecutive Swedish Championship gold last weekend. The playoff performance, in which she had her best save percentage in the last five years, was rewarded in a World Cup tryout and comeback in the women's crowns.
She can make incredible saves
There she has to work hard for playing time in competition with Emma Söderberg. The 25-year-old has finished his fifth year for the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the national college league, in the United States.
It was Söderberg who gained the confidence as the first goalkeeper during the World Cup and Olympics last year for Sweden.
"I'm going to give everything to play any match. If Emma is going to play, I will support her just as much and back her up 100 percent and do everything to make the team win. But you have to compete and fight for it," Grahn said.
How do you differ as goalkeepers?
"I'm a bit more structured goalkeeper who gets into position. Emma can make such incredible saves that are not on the track. She's a little more spectacular goalkeeper, a little more fun to watch really.
The World Cup will be played in Brampton, Canada, starting April 5. Sweden enters the tournament the next day against Germany. The other teams in the group are Finland, Hungary and France.