Wiland: - Copenhagen, a fantastic city
In the summer of 2008 Swedish International Johan Wiland signed a 5 year contract with F.C. Copenhagen. Wiland played the rest of the 2008-season for his Swedish club IF Elfsborg, and in early January 2009 Wiland started in Copenhagen.
FCK.DK got an interview with the 27 year old Swede, and asked him about his knowledge of Danish football, as well as his knowledge to F.C. Copenhagen.
By Jan Eliassen
What do you know about F.C. Copenhagen and Danish football
- Well, I haven’t played here yet, men from all the Swedish players I have talked to, who have played or is playing, in the Danish SAS League, I know that they feel Denmark have more clubs who are actually trying to “play football” than we have in Sweden. This could be because the Swedish clubs are short on the right players, men according to those I have talked to, it seems, as I said before, that more clubs in Denmark really are trying to “play football”. All in general, all my Swedish football collegues have been very happy to play in Denmark.
Did you know that F.C. Copenhagen was after you?
- No, not really. My agent told me that F.C. Copenhagen was seriously interested, but it didn’t take long from he told me to I had signed the contract.
Without knowing if you had any other offers on hand, what made you chose F.C. Copenhagen?
- F.C Copenhagen showed a sincere interest, and as I had been 10 years in Elfsborg, I was ready to meet new challenges. I had talked to both Tobias Linderoth and Marcus Allbäck, and they had both said FCK was a good club, so I decided it was time to take the chance.
Did anyone in Sweden recommend the Danish SAS League to you?
- From the Swedish National Team I know Linderoth, Alllbäck, Andreas Klarström (from Danish club Esbjerg fB), as well as Martin Ericsson, Samuel Holmén and Max von Schlebrügge, all three from Brøndby IF. Everyone has been saying nice things about Danish football, and I have also spoken with Antonsson and Oscar Wendt from FCK – and they off course like FCK a lot.
What kind of goalkeeper are we going to see?
- I’m kind of a good all-round keeper, and then I’m pretty good in one on one situations. I have a good view of what’s going on out there on the pitch, and normally know when to leave the goal line – and when to stay in there between the bars. But I still work hard at training, because there’s always something you can improve …
Are you looking forward to play in PARKEN with all its spectators?
- It did happen once in while that we played for a sold out stadium in Elfsborg, meaning around 17.000 spectators. This would happen when we played the local derby against IFK Göteborg, and there would often be a lot af people attending the matches against some of the Stockholm teams. But normally there would be 9.000 spectators for a home game, so I’m especially looking forward to play for a lot more people at home in PARKEN.
Unfortunately, you’re banned from the two matches against Manchester City, and I guess this annoys you?
- Yes, I can’t play because I have played UEFA Cup for Elfsborg, and that’s a bit annoying. But I just have to work hard, and then play some games in the SAS League instead.
What’s your impression of the city of Copenhagen?
- Copenhagen is a fantastic city. I have brought my wife with me, we have a nice apartment in Copenhagen, and we really like it. I have the feeling, that this will be a city we are going to love.
And at FCK.DK we hope the same, just as we are looking forward to seeing Johan Wiland record his first of many clean sheets for F.C. Copenhagen, just as he did when he played for Elfsborg …
