Gelsenkirchen, November 27, 1973
– Roland Sandberg and Ralf Edström in an air duel with Austria’s goalkeeper Herbert Rettensteiner when Sweden secured games in the 1974 World Cup.
Photo: Olle Lindeborg / TT
Ralf Edström’s nod to 3-3 on Ove Grahn’s post against Hungary in Budapest and the narrow 2-1 victory against Malta meant that Sweden and Austria had to settle on a neutral level for the World Cup place in West Germany in 1974.
A decimeter deep snow cover was over the pitch but the match would be carried out at any cost. Roland Sandberg made it 1-0, Ove Kindvall arranged a penalty that Bosse Larsson managed. Austria reduced but the national team held off.
– The victory was lucky. Austria was the better team, said national team captain Georg “Åby” Ericson.
The following summer, Sweden came fifth in the World Cup.
Prague, October 16, 1985
– The ball is on its way to goal behind Thomas Ravelli in the match against Czechoslovakia, which Sweden lost.
Photo: Lars Jansson / TT
The national team had managed 2-2 at home against West Germany and Dan Corneliusson’s early goal away against Czechoslovakia was about to take Sweden a good distance to the World Cup in Mexico. Then Andreas Ravelli hit the ball behind his brother Thomas and in the second half Czechoslovakia decided to 2-1. Help was needed from West Germany – who had never lost a World Cup qualifier at home.
Federation captain Lars “Laban” Arnesson gathered the players at the hotel, Tommy Engstrand’s radio report was tuned in. Despite strong German pressure, Carlos Manuel scored for Portugal.
The World Cup chance was gone and pictures of a crying Robert Prytz were seen in Swedish newspapers.
Råsunda, 13 October 1993
– Henrik Larsson cheers after the 3-2 goal against Finland.
Photo: Tobias Röstlund / TT
Henrik Larsson made his debut in the 3-2 victory against Finland at Råsunda. The chance of reaching the World Cup finals increased significantly. What no one knew after the final signal was that Sweden would be ready for the World Cup a few hours later. Israel won sensationally away against France.
At a nice dinner at the hotel in Sollentuna, the national team celebrated. Some players went on to the bar, wearing Viking helmets.
Sweden dug World Cup bronze in the USA the following year.
Istanbul, September 5, 2001
– Goal scorers Andreas Andersson and Henrik Larsson rejoice after the Swedish turn in Turkey.
Photo: Anders Wiklund / TT
At Ali Sami Yen Stadium, the Turkish supporters began to celebrate that their national team was ready for the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. With three minutes left of regular time, Hakan Sükür’s goal was the only one of the match. Then came one of the most classic twists in Swedish national team history. Henrik Larsson scored 1-1 in the 88th minute and two minutes into extra time Andreas Andersson nodded in 2-1. Suddenly, Sweden was in the World Cup finals.
– We never despair, we fight all the way into the tile, said national team captain Tommy Söderberg.
Sweden reached the round of 16 in the World Cup.
Zagreb, 8 October 2005
– Swedish depression after Croatian victory. But Sweden still went to the World Cup.
Photo: Claudio Bresciani / TT
Olof Mellberg inexplicably threw up his arm at a corner. The punishment was indisputable. Darijo Srna scored 1-0, the only goal of the match at Maksimir Stadium and the Croatians were able to celebrate the World Cup place in Germany. Shortly after the end of the match, the news came that the Netherlands had beaten the Czech Republic in Prague – and suddenly Sweden was in practice also in the playoffs as one of the best group runners-up.
The Czech Republic was whipped to take a big victory against Finland at the same time as Sweden fell with real numbers at home against Iceland.
Despite this, the mood in Zagreb was subdued.
– Even though it undeniably looks very good, we will finish nicely and beat Iceland, said Lars Lagerbäck.
A few days later, the national team won 3-1. Sweden was eliminated in the round of 16 against Germany in the World Cup.
Milano, 13 november 2017
– Swedish joy after the Miracle in Milan.
Photo: Antonio Calanni / AP
Jakob Johansson had scored the only goal of the match at home at Friends arena. The playoff against Italy at the San Siro ticked towards full time and a heroically fighting national team was busy keeping a clean sheet – but it worked.
Afterwards, there was talk of the Miracle in Milan.
– We are an extremely strong collective. These guys personify what a team means. There are many heroes who have worked well throughout the qualifiers. From the first collection, the players have loyally stood up for how I and my dear colleague Peter Wettergren wanted it, said Janne Andersson.
Sweden reached the quarterfinals in Russia the following summer.