Scandinavia has produced plenty of top Premier League players. From the successful Danish sides on the international scene, to world renowned forwards from Sweden – there’s been no shortage of talent from the Nordics of Europe.
As there are some disputes over which countries are a part of Scandinavia, we’ve simplified it by creating a team from the Nordic countries. Generally, that refers to Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The Faroe Islands are too, but unsurprisingly, there won’t be any Faroese players in the team or bench from the nation ranked 77th by FIFA.
GK) Peter Schmeichel
No question here. Image Source: Pinterest
RB) Olof Mellberg
If only Aston Villa had this man in their disastrous relegation season from the Premier League. Image Source: AVFC
CB) Martin Laursen
Another Scandinavian man who Villa fans must sorely miss. Image Source: WorldFootball
CB) Sami Hyypia
Important goals and solid defending. Liverpool legend. Image Source: Sami Hyypia
LB) John Arne Riise
The best left-back Norway have ever produced. Image Source: Twitter
CDM) Thomas Gravesen
Everton's anchorman before his move to Real Madrid. Image Source: Vice
CM) Gylfi Sigurdsson
Iceland's sole representative in the nordic XI. Image Source: Twitter
CM) Christian Eriksen
Football Manager was right about this man. Image Source: Twitter
RW) Freddie Ljungberg
Arsenal's super Swede. Image Source: TheHotStepanovs
LW) Morten Gamst Pedersen
Wizard. Image Source: Zimbio
ST) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan has been a level above the other Scandinavian strikers. Image Source: Twitter
SUB) Jussi Jaaskelainen
Bolton's most legendary goalkeeper. Image Source: Twitter
SUB) Daniel Agger
Great player, but a spot on the bench due to stronger options defensively. Image Source: BT.dk
SUB) Ronny Johnsen
Part of one of Sir Alex Ferguson's dominant sides. Image Source: Pinterest
SUB) Jari Litmanen
Helped Liverpool to their Quintuplet of trophies in 2000/01. Champions League winner with Ajax. Image Source: AnfieldWrap
SUB) Brian Laudrup
Just a handful appearances mean it's a drop to the bench for one of Denmark's best. Image Source: Goal
SUB) Dennis Rommedahl
Speed merchant. Image Source: Twitter
SUB) Ole Gunner Solskjaer
It's his own former team's fault that he isn't starting. Image Source: Twitter
SEE ALSO: Denmark won Euro 1992 without qualifying for the tournament
The biggest issue amongst this team will be deciding who will take set pieces; spoilt for choice. Some of the Premier League’s most technically gifted players ever have stemmed from Scandinavia, so it’s unsurprising to see the emergence of the likes of Martin Odegaard who attracted tonnes of interest from England.
But as well as that, the Nordics have produced plenty of solid goalkeepers from the likes of Peter Schmeichel and Jussi Jaaskelainen to Antti Niemi and Kasper Schmeichel. As a region, they certainly deserve the respect they get in the football world.
Given Iceland’s performance in the Euros and the likes of Eriksen and Sigurdsson establishing themselves firmly in the Premier League, it’s likely that the development of Scandinavian football will continue to grow, which could mean that we will see the countries performing much stronger in international competitions.
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