There is still a small chance for Jesper Karlsson to go to the European Championship with Sweden. The AZ winger, who was initially not included in the final European Championship selection by national coach Janne Andersson, is still part of a reserve group. The reason is a number of corona cases that the national team of Sweden has to contend with. After Juventus’ Dejan Kulusevski, Bologna midfielder Mattias Svanberg was also tested positive for the corona virus.
Karlsson was part of the provisional selection corps of Sweden, but was not included in the 26-man selection. Due to the corona vicissitudes, however, he can now hope for his first final tournament, as Andersson has put together a reserve group in case things go wrong again in the coming days. In addition to Karlsson, Jacob Rinne (Aalborg BK), Mattias Johansson (clubless), Joakim Nilsson (Arminia Bielefeld), Niklas Hult (Hannover 96) and Isaac Kiese Thelin (Kasimpasa) are part of the group that is on standby. The six will report to the rest of the group on Thursday evening and can be called up until Sunday evening.
Sweden has anything but flawless preparation in the run-up to the European Championship. It was also announced on Tuesday that Kulusevski had tested positive for the corona virus. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder developed cold symptoms in the morning and was tested soon after. In any case, he will have to pass the opening game against Spain, as he is in self-isolation. Kulusevski’s positive corona test is a loss for the Swedish national coach, who probably wanted Kulusevski to start in a striker duo with Alexander Isak.
Andersson must pass on his final list with 26 players on Sunday evening at noon for the game against Spain on Monday. Sweden has a very tough start to the European Championship. After the opening game against Spain, the long journey to Saint Petersburg awaits for the confrontation with Slovakia. Andersson’s squad will remain in the Russian city for their final Group E game against Poland on June 23.
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