World Soccer - UK (2019-12)

Spain

OHOW THEY QUALIFIED Comfortable
winners of Group F, they finished
undefeated ahead of runners-up
Sweden, but it was a campaign
overshadowed by the temporary
departure of coach Luis Enrique,
who stepped down to spend time
with his terminally-ill daughter.

OTHE COACH Former international Luis
Enrique was replaced by his assistant
Robert Moreno in June but it was
announced in November that he would
return to lead the team at Euro 2020,
where Spain will play their home games
in Bilbao.

OKEY PLAYERS Captain, penalty-taker
and all-time most capped player (170
and counting), Sergio Ramos remains the
heart and soul of the team at 33. Striker
Alvaro Morata weighed in with crucial
goals in qualifying, along with Valencia’s
Rodrigo.

OPLAYER TO WATCH One of
the revelations of Spain’s qualifying
campaign, Napoli star Fabian Ruiz is the
prototype of the modern-day midfielder:
technically well-endowed, adaptable,
resilient, hard working and with an eye
for goal. The 23-year-old boasts only a
handful of caps for La Roja but already
seems to be the fulcrum of their engine
room. The keys of the vehicle belong to
him. Determined to quit Napoli at the
end of the season.

Sweden

OHOW THEY QUALIFIED Behind

Spain in Group F, they picked up a vital

win in Romania in their penultimate

match but life would have been a lot

easier if they had not conceded an

injury-time equaliser to Rodrigo at

home to Spain in October.

OTHE COACH Janne Andersson

continues to do impressive work with

Sweden. The 56-year-old former

Norrkoping coach succeeded Erik

Hamren after Euro 2016 and steered

the Swedes to their first World Cup in 12

years, as well as having success in their

opening Nations League group ahead of

Russia and Turkey.

OKEY PLAYERS Keeper Robin Olsen

helps the Swedes keep a tight ship, while

Real Socieded’s Alexander Isak has

offered glimpses of attacking creativity

in the post-Zlatan era, and RB Leipzig

midfielder Emil Forsberg remains a

crucial influence.

OPLAYER TO WATCH Currently

involved in a Bundesliga relegation scrap

with Mainz, versatile attacker Robin

Quaison has been enjoying far better

fortune for his national team, scoring

no fewer than five goals on the road

to Euro 2020 and making three more

for team-mates. Sweden boss Janne

Andersson especially values the

all-singing, all-dancing qualities of the

former AIK and Palermo favourite and

his ability to shine in the hole, in a

front-line duo or wide on the left.

Switzerland

OHOW THEY QUALIFIED Winners of

Group D ahead of Denmark. Despite

throwing away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3

with Denmark in March and then losing

to the Danes in Copenhagen in October,

they recovered to record wins over

Republic of Ireland, Georgia and

Gibraltar to secure qualification.

SPECIAL

FEATURE

Delight...Sweden

Fulcrum...Fabian Ruiz has made an immediate impression