Late Kickoff Challenges Players Ahead of Match Against Germany
Swedish players voice concerns over late match kickoffs affecting their routines and performance ahead of the game against Germany.
Key Points
- • Sweden's match against Germany kicks off at 21:00, raising preparation concerns.
- • Players find late matches disrupt their routines, affecting sleep and energy levels.
- • Goalkeeper Jennifer Falk reports being awake until 3 or 4 AM post-match.
- • Assistant coach Magnus Wikman prefers earlier matches for better energy management.
Sweden's upcoming football match against Germany is scheduled for a late kickoff at 21:00, which has raised various concerns among the players regarding their preparation and energy levels. Goalkeeper Jennifer Falk shared her discomfort with the disruption to their routine, noting that they often struggle to acclimate to the long wait, leading to sleepless nights that can extend until 3 or 4 AM after matches.
Assistant coach Magnus Wikman emphasized the difficulties of managing energy during such extended waiting periods. While he enjoys the atmosphere of evening games, he acknowledged that earlier matches are more conducive to maintaining player energy. "The long wait can be taxing," Wikman said, explaining the challenge of staying productive throughout the day leading to the match.
Players have begun to adapt to these late game schedules by taking naps and engaging in light activities to help pass the time before kickoff. Amanda Nildén echoed a similar sentiment, explaining that the adjustment from earlier matches, such as the team's last game against Denmark which started at 18:00, can be quite unsettling, dubbing it 'strange' to realize it is already midnight when waiting for a late match.