Emily Gielnik and Westfield Matildas looking to find some rhythm again

Emily Gielnik is very familiar with the Westfield Matildas next opponents, Sweden.

The striker spent last year at Vittsjö in Damallsvenskan and, after a stint with Brisbane Roar, has since returned to the club.

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Sweden wasn't a part of her plan but she has enjoyed the move immensely and across her two stints has scored 10 goals in 21 league games.

“The plan was never to come to Sweden last season it just had a good gut feeling. And I’m glad I followed it. It gave me that momentum going into the Australian league and was able to continue that through. I really think it's just come from that confidence on and off the field, just being in in the right environment.” Gielnik explained.

“For me, obviously I want to be challenged but I want to be around good people. You know, good challenges, high intensity, all the things that drive me as a player. I don't think I've had a flying start coming back here but I'm staying positive. I know that I'm going to find that rhythm again and that's going to come but I know that for sure I'm in the right environment and I know that things are gonna turn around for us as a team and me individually.”


As one of a few Swedish-based Westfield Matildas, Gielnik is looking forward to the challenge presented by the team ranked fifth in the world and the home-away-from-home advantage.

“I’m absolutely stoked! I remember Polks and I talking about it, we were buzzing. It's not too far that we have to travel and Sweden is obviously such a good team and it'll be nice to get back into camp with some faces that we missed last time. So we're really, really stoked about the upcoming game for sure.”

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After defeats to Germany and the Netherlands in April, the match also presents another opportunity for the national team to get together and continue building towards the Olympics and beyond.

“I think that results are important to some degree. But I think it's just about us playing again and getting familiar with each other and finding some rhythm again and consistency within our play and having some key players coming back in. It will be really important for us all to gel again, on the field and off the field as well.”

“We've missed each other a lot and haven't had much consistency together. So I think it will just be about getting back on the ball together as a whole entire squad.”

Gielnik isn’t the only one in the team with a Swedish connection, with head coach Tony Gustavsson returning to his home country.

“Obviously it probably means a lot to Tony because he's from here so there will be a bit of passion there which is always nice. And you know, us playing here obviously means a lot as well for me and Polks. So, I think it'll be a great matchup but first and foremost just getting back out there together as a whole, I think is the best thing for us in our preparations.” Gielnik said. 


Having spent a bit of time in Sweden now, Gielnik is familiar with the style of play and expects a strong test from the 2016 Olympic silver medallists.

“I think it's a really well suited opponent. Sweden are very highly ranked at the minute and a very, very good footballing team.”

“I'll start off with saying just beautiful people, beautiful country, very attacking style of play. I think they've got a really good mix in terms of aggressiveness and counter attack and can hold the ball and hold possession well. I think for them as a country they've got quite a good balance of all the characteristics that you want in football so it'll be a really, really good test for us."

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“And playing a lot against a lot of the Swedish international players here you obviously get a pretty good idea of what to expect. But then once again national team level is just another step up from playing at that club level. So it'll be a good test for me individually and for us as a group. So just really, really looking forward to it.”

Despite being familiar with the Swedish players, the Swedish language is still a bit elusive for Gielnik.

“I'd like to say I hope I can understand a little bit of the Swedish players on the field, if they're planning something tactical. So maybe I do need to brush up a little bit but if they're talking too fast and in their own dialect, they've lost me. So no, no chance.”

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This article was originally published on the CommBank Matildas website.
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