Defeat from the Jaws of Victory.

With the crowd being one of the biggest and probably the nosiest that most,( if not all of the squad), had experienced before creating an electric atmosphere within the ground, the stage was all set for an exciting game. That is exactly what was served up! With players from both sides making basic errors, unfotunately the majority from Sweden, which resulted in a lot of scrambled defence in the first 10 minutes and that was enough to keep the home side from scoring first. That honour fell to the away team courtesy of a penalty which should have settled them,but unfortunately not and it was not long before the home side sent their fans into a a frenzy via a try. One of the main problems for the Swedes, appeared to be a very strong swirling wind, whilst not favouring any side, the Maltese were obviously used to it and used their knowledge to great effect. However more errors aloud for the home side to produce very effective counter attacking and from one of these, they went over the goal line again.
Frustration was showing in the faces of the players, but as in the last game, they refused to buckle and continued to take the game to the opposition and eventually went over themselves to reduce the deficit and give themelves a lift at half time. So they went in 12-8 down, but with heads held high.
It was obvious that the Swedish team were making better decisions in this match and were following their game plan, but, and ultimately this was their undoing, they still made too many basic errors in the second half and with the home side's back enjoying some quick turnover ball, showed just how effective they could be and once again some scrambled defence by the Swedish players saved their line. With their forwards becoming more effective they managed to set up a series of moves which eventually resulted in a try, taking them into the lead for the first time. The Maltese were still playing some organised rugby and they then scored  twice themselves retaking the lead,  making the score 22-15. Again the Swedes came back and were awrded a well deserved penalty, followed shortly by a well taken try give them back the lead 22-23, just 5 minutes before the end of the match. The Maltese players then tried everything they could and applied some dangerous pressure, which was being contained well until with just seconds on the clock, the referee awarded them a penalty on the 15 metre line just inside the 22. Everybody in the ground held their breath and prayed , unfortunately for the Swedes on the pitch and in the ground, the penalty was kicked and the fianl whistle was blown, result 25-23.
With very little preparation time for this match and players making themselves unavailable this was still a game they could have won! But they look as if they are working for each other and appear to be moving forward, this could be a very good squad in the future if they can develop together. We have been informed that the Maltese managed to fly in players from Australia, 4 days prior to the match, makes us wonder about sponsorship?

Starting Line Up V Malta.

We have been informed that the starting line up is almost the the same as last week. Bobby Nave doesn't make the trip, Seta comes in on the wing. Tim drops to full back and Thomas starts at 10. More news to follow, once our link with Malta is re-established.

Who's Who?

Once again the turn of the Ladies and this time we feature one of the younger players in the Squad. Kerstin Lovendahl is tough, extremely fit and dedicated to her sport. She is universally liked and always has a smile for everyone. A star not just of now but for the future.

How did you become involved with Rugby?

It just happened.. I searched for a sport for me, had never play somehthing before. And one day there were posters in my school "Try Rugby" ..I did, and loved if from first day!
When did you first start playing?
I started playing rugby 24th of february 2004, 17years old.
What positions have you played?
Hooker is my "first position", but I really like back row too.. I have played all positions from nr1 to nr15!.. and also 16-22, but I really dislike the last ones!
What Club/s have you played for?
Lugi RFC!.. and a little bit in HRC Gripen too.
How many International Caps do you have?
At least 4, since -08, maybe some more..
What has been your best playing experience?
Best one. I have so many I really love to think about: When Lugi won DM Cup and the way we did it, When I play with the mens team and score a try... and my first game for Sweden against England.. them and many other.
What has been your worst playing experience?
Hm, maybe when I broke a bone in my finger during a national game in WET last year, and was taking off the field.
What are your ambitions within the game?
My ambitions in both Lugi and the National team is to play my best Rugby, improve myself and of course help my team mates to play their best, feel confident and improve themselves... Yes, too be a good team mate in my lovely teams!
What encourages you about the game in Sweden?
I like that teams help other teams to improve, that everyone prefer more teams and more games. It help the Rugby in Sweden and make the small clubs being stronger, the big clubs being even better.. and has taken the ladies National team to VM.. its fantastic, really fantastic!

How do you see the future?

I really hope I could follow my dreams.. I have dreamt so many times about VM and seen myself playing there.. Wonderful dreams, that I will do everything I can to fulfill! 

Later on, I wanna play for Sweden for many years.. both 15 and 7 a side, hopefully in OS, but focus now is the way to VM!

Your profession?

Preschool teacher.

Marital status?

Rugbylover!

Do you have any children?

None of my own, but twenty lovely kids at my work and one godchild on the other side of the earth.

 Take care everyone, LugiLove from me!

Many Thanks Kerstin.

Squad for Malta.

Thanks to our intrepid reporters, who use all their vast experience and probably a few favours, we can inform you of the squad for Malta. There are a couple of changes, but it still looks to be a strong group of players and if they perform in a similar manner to last Saturday, they could well bring home a win.

Alex Taylor.
Andrew Daish.
Sebastian Taylor.
Lee Sandberg.
Magnus Macdonald.
Jan Olof Johansson.
Paul Mathews.
Paul Sullivan.
Viktor Pettersson.
Thomas Ardvisson.
Fredrik Casselhag.
Richard Johansson.
Mattias Thorhard.
Roger De Jager.
Seterki Tegunimataka.
Rikard Ornberg.
Alan Letele.
Tobias Borg.
Tim Johansson.
Peter Wiklund.
Ivar Bengtsson.

Unfortunately not even our resources know the starting line up, but we wish the players and management team, every success.

Rugby Final's Day

With 80% of voters favouring a one off final's day, we would humbly suggest that the Board consider this view.
It is not our intention to direct them either way, but it appears that there is a strong swell of support to promote the game via this route. It would be easier to administer, arrange and control. The publicity generated could hopefully help swell the crowd and create an atmosphere that players, officials, and the crowd would enjoy. With 3 finals on the day it ought to be a wonderful way to watch the spectacle. If steps were taken now, this could be in place for next season and what better way to showcase the game and end the season? We are fully in support of this and feel that it would be another progressive step by the Union.

Who's Who?

Next up we feature Magnus Macdonald, one of the more senior players in the Men's National Squad. Somebody who commands respect, through his demeanour and modesty. We thought that he had a tremendous game in the tight against Holland and look forward to watching him in more matches in the future.

Good afternoon True Sweden Rugby and Heineken!

In answer to your questions...

How did you become involved with Rugby?

Through a friend of my father who had just started coaching at a club,and asked my father if I wanted to come and try out. I went along, and the rest as they say is history.

When did you first start playing?

Jumped straight in to senior rugby at 18.

What positions?

I would love to say full back, though i think that would be stretching the truth a bit. I play either side of the scrum as a prop.

What Club/s?

Currently playing in the U.K. for London Scottish

International Caps?

Nine

Best playing experience?

There have been many! Touring is always a special experience and should 

be encouraged (though never talked about when you get home). My first cap for Sweden against Switzerland in Gothenburg, playing as a full time professional in England, playing in the Premiership. Playing in Wales against Cardiff when Dai Young was my opposite number and Robert Jones was at 9, I remember being a bit overawed at the sheer sense 

of occasion, well, until the first scrum! Beating Bristol in the playoffs to gain promotion to the Premiership. Winning a ball against the head.

Worst playing experience?

Losing a Cup Final two weeks after a very close friend had died on the pitch whilst playing his last game for the club, before he and his family were to move to Australia. Losing against Holland was pretty tough too (my first defeat in a test match). Saturday's defeat was pretty tough to take too.

Your ambitions within the game?

Well getting to my twilight years as a player....I want more caps and want to help Team Sweden to group 2A. I also want to give back to a fantastic game, letting younger players gain the benefit of my experience at the coalface. Be that as a coach or a mentor.

What encourages you about the game in Sweden?

The fantastic passion, and sheer hard work of all those involved. For a country with limited playing numbers there is great talent involved in all aspects of the game, be it as a coach, player, manager, supporter, referee, administrator, blogger....

How do you see the future?

Through a crystal ball. I think nothing less than two wins from these next two tests will satisfy me personally. We have a good strong squad that is capable of winning these games and that has to be the minimum. Great to see the Ladies qualify for the World Cup, here is hoping they have a great tournament. 7's in the Olympics, seems like things are on a roll, we just have to keep the momentum going across the sport as a whole and not rest on our laurels.

Your profession?

A rehabilitation trainer in a physiotherapy clinic.

Promising Performance.

We felt that it was important to reflect on the Sweden v Holland match that took place yesterday and we also decided to speak to the the coaching team to get their view on the performance, before we published our post.

The match was a terrific advertisement for the game, played at a fast and furious pace, this was a game that Sweden should have won. Unfortunately the wrong decisions were taken at times, the number of penalties awarded to Sweden were more than enough to win the match had either of the two main kickers on the pitch nudged the ball to goal. It was clear to the experienced eye that the team were working to a game plan and with the forwards dominating the opposition pack they took the game to the Dutch, who took over 10 minutes to get out of their own half. With the back row hitting anything that moved things were looking good and the first penalty awarded gave Sweden the lead. Holland obviously shaken by this turn of events, upped their game and they started to make inroads into the Swedish half applying some intense pressure, eventually resulting in a penalty which was calmly kicked through the posts. That seemed to inspire the home team to even greater efforts and with  the opposition continually infringing a further kickable penalty was taken and the lead restored. Once more the Dutch came back and just before half time they equalled the scores with another penalty, so at half time the score was 6-6.
Receiving the kick, Sweden made an error and from the resultant scrum Holland made the most of this gift by
going over the line to score. The extra points were missed but for the first time Sweden were behind, they however were far from finished and took the game back to the Dutch, who were still committing too many penalties under the pressure being applied by the home side. Again though, the Dutch broke out from defence and managed to set up a counter attack which was finished off by a try. Still Sweden kept coming back and after yet another penalty, which was kicked, the referee yellow carded  one of the opposition. This encouraged a further spell of dominance with a further number of penalties being awarded to them. These should have been kicked at goal but instead were kicked to touch, for the lineout. All credit to the Dutch, they defended as if their lives depended on it and no scores were awarded whilst they were a man down. The Swedes were convinced they had scored when their left winger touched down and with the referee unsure, he consulted the Dutch touch judge, who said there had been a double movement.
As the game was drawing to a close Sweden made some changes and carried on applying pressure, which resulted in a try for them under the posts, following some good running and work by the replacement centre with the extra points being added the score had been closed to 3 points. The Dutch then took up the challenge of keep ball and just played a series of driving mauls to run the clock down and from one of those a drop goal was attempted, after which the referee blew the final whistle leaving the score at 16-19.

We understand that the players and management team were bitterly disappointed with the result as you would expect. In our view they were the better team and there are a lot of positives to be taken into the next match against Malta next weekend. The coaching team feel that this could be the start of something really exciting for the National Squad, with potentially the best group of players that Sweden has ever had. The weekend showed that they enjoyed each others company and wanted more than anything to move forward together.

We at TrueSwedenRugby believe that is a distinct possibility and wish them well for the future and look forward to receiving the report from the next match.