2007 Women's World Cup Preview - Sweden

Soccer Betting Lines

09/05/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sweden forward Victoria Svensson will take on a larger role this year with the retirement of a number of World Cup veterans, but on FIFA's website she said she was still optimistic that "this could be our year."

Sweden lost the last World Cup to Germany in overtime on a golden goal. This year, Sweden is in a group with the same three teams - United States, Nigeria and North Korea - as 2003.

"To start with we've been drawn in the same group as in 2003... it looks a bit daunting," Svensson said. "I think it's the toughest group but having come through it safely once before is encouraging. We'll take it one step at a time, see how the group pans out and then see what happens."

While the start will be familiar, Sweden wants to change the ending. The club has also finished third in the World Cup in 1991.

Although Sweden returns nine players from the last World Cup, three of its top players - Malin Mostrom, Linda Fagerstrom and Anna Sjostrom - have since retired from international play. Sweden will also have a new goalie because 2003 starter Caroline Jonsson suffered a knee injury and will be replaced by Sofia Lundgren.

"Obviously it's a big blow to lose important players ... but we have a strong squad with a lot of experience and we should be able to fight for medals in China." Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby told FIFA's website.

"Clearly all three (Mostrom, Fagerstrom and Sjostrom) are great ... and we've certainly missed them," Svensson said. "That said, I think we've played well this year."

Sweden has played much like the team that advanced to the World Cup final in 2003. The team is one of the most offensive in the world, and with Svensson still around, is a threat to capture its first Cup.

"I always tell them that we have to work really hard every day, and that a World Cup game is not like any other - there's a great deal of media pressure and a lot of people watching your every move," said Svensson, who has played 136 games for Sweden. "Every game is important and you can't always play nice football; sometimes you have to dig deep, use your instinct and do everything in your power to win."

Svensson was solid in World Cup qualifying matches, scoring four goals. But she's not the only Swedish player capable of finding the back of the net.

Forward Hanna Ljungberg - who once received an invitation to play for Italian Serie A men's club Perugia - led the club with 10 goals in qualifying. She's battled a number of injuries, but the former Swedish Women's Player of the Year is expected to play.

"Hanna is fighting her way back and we all know what she's capable of, so I'm in a good mood," Dennerby said.

In addition to Svensson and Ljungberg, Sweden got big contributions from forward Lotta Schelin (seven goals) and Therese Lundin (four goals) in qualifying. Sweden was 7-0-1 in qualifying and outscored its opponents 32-6.

"Lotta Schelin, Nilla Fischer, Anna Paulsson, Caroline Seger ... These are just a few of the youngsters," Svensson said, "who I'm sure will do a great job for us."

They need to do a great job to replace Mostrom, Fagerstrom and Sjostrom, or this definitely won't be Sweden's year.

PAST ACHIEVEMENTS:

-- FIFA World Cup qualifier: 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007.

-- FIFA World Cup second: 2003.

-- FIFA World Cup third: 1991.

-- UEFA Championship first: 1984.

-- UEFA Championship second: 1987, 1995, 2001.

-- Algarve Cup first: 1995, 2001.

-- Algarve Cup second: 1996.

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The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.

Most sports fans would agree that these two teams top the list to win it all before the season even begins. In the BetUS Sportsbook football futures, the Colts are +800 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys are sitting at +1000 and the Super Bowl XLIV champions New Orleans Saints at +900. In the AFC South, the Colts won the division for five straight years after the 2002 realignment, before the Tennessee Titans won it in 2008. But the Colts came back strong in 2009 to win the division again en route to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East, as well as to advance far into the post season. The Cowboys won the division last season before their horrendous loss in the NFC Divisional playoff to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. But the ‘Boys will take that loss humbly and be ready for the playoffs this time around.

The NFC South is also very strong, at +600 in the NFL futures, considering that it is home to the defending Super Bowl champions. However, some predictions have the Atlanta Falcons with possibilities of claiming the divisional title this season in place of the Saints, as no team has won back-to-back division championships since the division realignment took place. Let’s not overlook the AFC North at +500. As TO goes to Cincinnati to join Chad OchoCinco and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, this team looks to claim the division title again. And it is likely they will do so. The Bengals lost in the AFC Wild Card spot in a hard-fought battle against the New York Jets last season. Lest not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers, the XLII Super Bowl Champions… All these teams present interesting odds and matchups for the upcoming season, but the safest and surest bet seems to be with the Colts in the AFC South and the Cowboys in the NFC East. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

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