Why the Svenssons – unrelated – relate to the Cup

Southampton's Swedish double act know their history and their omens. Jason Burt met them

There is an inscrutability about the Swedes which has nothing to do with any language barrier. English is second nature, as it is with any Scandinavian. Put two Swedes together and it takes a little longer for the restraint to dissolve – even in the New Forest sunshine bathing Southampton's picturesque training ground.

Mention the FA Cup and the process quickens, however. "The year of my birth," shoots Anders Svensson with a grin, when asked about the last time the club by the Solent landed the venerable old competition, and 1976 it was – Bobby Stokes, Lawrie McMenemy and the Saints went marching on.

That makes the boyish Anders, all floppy hair and faded denims, 26, while his team-mate and compatriot Michael – short hair, more preppy – is a year older. The Cup means much to him also. Memories of Wembley, finals broadcast back home and, bizarrely, Aston Villa. It may be 46 years since the Midlanders lifted the old jug, but Michael raises his eyebrows when reminded that today's semi-final against Watford is at Villa Park. He did, after all, grow up a Villa fan. Before the question can be ventured, he adds: "Don't ask me why. I just liked them."

Two omens, however small, in a competition that has, for years, traded on such tangential scraps. "The final is always on television in Sweden, it is a big thing there," says Anders as he recalls growing up in Gothenburg with his older brother and father – also football-crazy.

"It is a really, really famous cup throughout the world. To play at Wembley as well – although obviously not now, unfortunately," says Michael, before displaying a slightly more participatory approach. "English football was always on the television on Saturday afternoons. I would go to the bookmakers and place a bet and watch the game."

The Svenssons, who are unrelated, have noticed a reaction among Southampton fans – whose hearts are usually beating faster at this time of year because of the threat of relegation rather than the prospect of winning a trophy. "The fans are talking a lot about it, just like we are," says Michael. "The quarter-final [against Wolverhampton Wanderers] was just fantastic, with a huge, huge atmosphere."

Anders, in his second season at Southampton, is less sure of his place than Michael, who has formed one of the strongest centre-back pairings in the Premiership alongside the Norwegian Claus Lundekvam since his move last summer for £2m from French club Troyes. Indeed Southampton's manager, Gordon Strachan, is effusive about the "northern European mentality" providing the base of his squad of a dozen nationalities, with another, the Finn Antti Niemi, in goal. The irony is that Anders was his country's most effective player in last year's World Cup, changing the course of the game against England and knocking out Argen-tina with a spectacular free-kick. He came back with pundits claiming he had added a nought to his transfer value, having joined Southampton for £750,000.

Anders was also responsible for the single most eye-catching piece of skill in the tournament – a 360-degree turn and snap shot which struck a post against Senegal. If it had gone in, it would have been the most golden of golden goals and earned a quarter-final place for Sweden. With typical self-deprecation, he now says the moment was the result of wayward control. "In that situation, actually, my first touch was quite poor and the defender came against me, so it just came into my head to try to turn him." Has he done it since? "Yes, a couple of times. It is a good way of turning and shifting direction," he says simply.

The World Cup was hard, however, and took its toll on him, especially as he had signed, from Elfsborg, midway through the Swedish season. "I have been playing non-stop since then," he says. "I had a few weeks off after the World Cup and maybe I made a mistake by staying in Sweden, where it was quite chaotic. I should have gone away somewhere with my girlfriend, so it was kind of hectic, and then it was back into training here."

On his return, there was Michael Svensson, who had also gone to Korea and Japan but was an unused squad member. Since then he has established himself in the national side, and both he and Anders played in the victory in Hungary last week in the Euro 2004 qualifiers.

Pre-season training was fierce. Lots of stamina work, running in the New Forest to prepare for the physical battle of the Premiership. "He's the perfect player for the English League," Anders says of Michael, who dislikes his nickname "Killer" ("It is not a nickname I used, just one I brought with me"), earned at the Swedish club Halmstad to describe his eagerness to win the ball. "He's very tough and he always gives 100 per cent. He's got a big heart and he had done exceptionally well. Michael is a good guy both on and off the pitch. I knew he would settle in perfectly and he has. It is a pleasure to have him here."

Not to be outdone, Michael chips in: "Anders is a good passer, works hard. Strong. He's very calm as well. I like to play with him." What do they like most about playing in England? "The fans," says Michael, and Anders agrees. "If you compare the fans, it was one major reason for me to come over here to play, the atmosphere and the passion."

Both, however, admit adjusting to the Premiership has been a challenge. "I knew it would be much more physical than back home," says Anders. "It is a tough league but it is also an amazing league to be a part of. It took quite a while to get into the tempo, the tackling and the physical side of it."

Michael adds: "The style of football in Sweden is similar but the pace here is so much faster. And after France, there was a big difference. For 90 minutes it is played at full pace in England. And the quality is better." Any opponents spring to mind as being particularly tough? "Alan Shearer," he says. "And Thierry Henry. For different reasons, of course."

Another striker whose qualities they agree on is James Beattie. "Scoring 21 goals is amazing," says Anders, "the top goalscorer in the League, and he has won us a lot of games." Were they surprised he was left out of the England squad? "I was surprised," says Michael. "If you score 20 goals then you should be in."

Southampton, they both believe, has been good for them – as a club and a city. "I like being by the sea," says Michael. "And with the club there is a good mix of young players and experience, and everyone wants to work hard."

Indeed, Southampton is the most Swedish of clubs, with a neat, efficient team, a neat, efficient stadium and a neat, efficient board. And then there is Strachan. "He's a very good manager," says Michael, "with lots of, lots of..." Passion? Enthusiasm? Desire? Aggression? "Experience, he has lots of experience," he says. Ah, yes, that Swedish inscrutability.