In the beginning of his national team career, he was a reserve behind Andreas Isaksson. When the veteran hung up his gloves and Janne Andersson took over as national team captain – then Robin Olsen got the spot in goal.
A position he has retained since the summer of 2016.
But when Sweden begins the hunt for advancement in the Nations League – away against Azerbaijan on Thursday and then at home against Estonia three days later – the injured 34-year-old will be missing.
Who gets the chance in Baku?
Thus, the goalkeeper door to the starting eleven is ajar.
Three Stockholm natives are standing outside and are ready to step in.
AIK's Kristoffer Nordfeldt has usually been the first reserve, but with Viktor Johansson and Jacob Widell Zetterström in the squad, it is still uncertain who national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson will give the chance to on Tofiq Bähramov Stadium in Baku.
It's an open race, it absolutely is. It would be a great honor to stand, it's something I've longed for a long time, but I don't want to anticipate any events, says Johansson, who signed with Stoke in the Championship this spring.
The 25-year-old estimates his playing chances to 33 percent and thinks his versatility speaks for him.
I like to own the penalty area, am good at saving balls, on communication and playing with my feet. I'm pretty all-round.
"Maximize your chances"
Widell Zetterström says that "all football players in the whole world want to play matches" but chooses to see his first gathering with the real A-national team in a different way.
I'm super happy to be here, but just like always, it's about putting in the work required on the training pitch to maximize your chances, says the 26-year-old, who is close friends with Johansson and got a lot of help from his friend during his first time in Derby.
I've known him for a pretty long time, since we're the same age, both are from Stockholm, and we've run into each other in many contexts.
He's an incredibly nice guy who really has his heart in the right place.
Kristoffer Nordfeldt
Born: June 23, 1989, in Stockholm.
Club: AIK.
A-national team matches: 18, last played against Moldova in October 2023.
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Viktor Johansson
Born: September 14, 1998, in Stockholm.
Club: Stoke in the Championship.
A-national team matches: 1, came in for Nordfeldt against Moldova in 2023.
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Jacob Widell Zetterström
Born: July 11, 1998, in Stockholm.
Club: Derby in the Championship.
A-national team matches: 1, played the first half against Iceland in January 2023.
