Sebastian Nanasi had a wonderful football evening in Tallinn. He received the message from national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson after breakfast on Monday morning that he would be included in Sweden's starting eleven for the first time, when Sweden faced Estonia in the Nations League.
The feeling was on top then, I got tagged, so it was just about showing what I'm capable of, says Nanasi.
Made a few calls
He has quickly made a name for himself in the French league with Strasbourg and got to make a substitute appearance against Estonia at the Strawberry arena in September.
We went through the match a bit and my role. It was mostly that, says Nanasi about the breakfast meeting.
Mom, dad, girlfriend, and someone else got quick calls about the upcoming debut in the national team. And that it was right to pick him in the starting eleven was demonstrated by the 22-year-old later on Monday evening.
How was it to enter the match?
I usually can keep myself pretty calm. It's just about focusing on myself and going, says he.
When the match went to halftime, he had written himself into the goal protocol twice – his first competitive goal for Sweden.
It's a fantastic feeling, especially when we can take three points home. That's what matters most, says Nanasi.
"Continue on the same path"
It wasn't far off that it became a hat-trick for him in the second half, when he pushed the ball outside the goal from close range. Sweden was then flagged offside.
I almost hope it was offside, says Nanasi about the situation.
Instead, it was Viktor Gyökeres who scored the third goal of the match.
Nanasi hopes that the performance will have a future effect.
I've wanted to play all the time and think I've shown myself from a good side when I got the chance. Now I'll try to continue on the same path, says he.
