Graham Potter has moved to calm concern about Anthony Elanga after a knee issue emerged just before the World Cup. The Sweden attacker felt pain following the 2-2 draw with Greece, but initial checks suggest no serious damage, and Sweden still expect Elanga to face Tunisia on 14 June.
Potter explained that Elanga suffered the problem after the final whistle, rather than during the match itself. Medical staff quickly assessed the knee and did not find major structural worries, so the national team staff remain optimistic about the winger’s short recovery window.
According to the Sweden camp, the early medical response has been reassuring. "The physiotherapist said it was fine. It is not something we are overly worried about right now. " Potter
also said he believes Elanga simply took a knock on the joint and should recover in time.
Elanga described how the impact happened and how the discomfort returned during the later session. "I went knee to knee against one of their [Greece]players. Then, out in training, I felt my knee again. But it feels good. When you get pain in your knee, you can get worried, but it feels good. It feels calm. The pain will go away in a day or two. It's completely okay. "
The Greece friendly itself swung several times. Kostas Tsimikas put Greece ahead after 10 minutes, and Dimitrios Kourbelis almost doubled the advantage with a long-range effort that hit the underside of the bar. Sweden responded after half-time, with Viktor Gyokeres equalising from a free-kick for his 20th international goal.
Gustaf Nilsson then gave Sweden the lead, turning the match around before the closing moments. Sweden looked on course for a morale-boosting victory, but Giorgios Masouras struck from close range in the 95th minute. That stoppage-time goal left Sweden without a win from their last two fixtures before travelling to the World Cup.
Those results follow a 3-1 defeat against Norway three days earlier, adding some concern about Sweden’s form. However, the main focus remains player availability, with Elanga expected to recover in time for the opener against Tunisia on 14 June. Staff hope a brief rest period will settle any remaining soreness.
Elsewhere, Iran enjoyed a more positive send-off in World Cup preparations with a 2-0 victory over Mali. That match was Iran’s final warm-up before entering Group G, where Iran start the tournament against New Zealand. The clean sheet and two goals offer encouragement for Iran’s coaching group before the long campaign.
Sweden now balance fitness management with tactical work as the World Cup approaches, while Iran arrive on the back of a comfortable win. Elanga’s comments and the medical view suggest the knee problem is minor, so Sweden expect the forward to play a full part once the tournament begins.
