Grabara's Mental Game: Can Poland's Keeper Handle the Heat?

Trash talk could unsettle Poland's Grabara, Says Ex-Teammate

Ex-Sweden goalkeeper William Eskelinen believes trash talk might throw Poland's Kamil Grabara off ahead of Sweden clash.

Sweden vs Poland, mind games begin as Grabara's mental toughness questioned...

William Eskelinen, former Swedish international goalkeeper and ex-teammate of Kamil Grabara at AGF Aarhus, believes trash talk could unsettle the Polish keeper ahead of Sweden's crucial playoff match in Stockholm. Eskelinen shared with Swedish media Aftonbladet that Grabara might be thrown off balance by mind games.

Sweden takes on Poland on Tuesday evening in a do-or-die match for a World Cup spot this summer. The stakes are high, and the psychological battle is heating up.

Aftonbladet spoke with William Eskelinen, former teammate of Kamil Grabara (who was on loan from Liverpool) at AGF from 2020 to 2021, in relation to Mo Salah's departure.

“I can say that he is a very special guy. He has been in a bit of a storm during his career, which is perhaps not so surprising.”

“At the same time, he is a really good goalkeeper, and I saw quite quickly when he came to Aarhus that he would become a goalkeeper who could be a regular starter in one of Europe's top five leagues,”  says the Swedish keeper.

Eskelinen also offers additional tips for Sweden's national team ahead of their Tuesday showdown with Grabara and Poland.

Kamil Grabara uważa, że jest NAJLEPSZY na świecie 💥

William Eskelinen w przeszłości występował razem z Grabarą w Aarhus GF. Szwed wypowiedział się teraz na temat Polaka i jego charakteru przed nadchodzącym meczem w finale baraży. 🗣️

- Przy stałych fragmentach gry należy skupić… pic.twitter.com/AxjwBgGzMz

— Newsy.Sportu (@Newsy_Sportu) March 27, 2026

“As I said, he is a very special character, and he is not always balanced. You shouldn't encourage trash talk, but I actually think Sweden can throw him off balance that way. You can get under his skin,” says Eskelinen, who admits that the two had respect for each other even though they weren't best friends. 

🚨 🇵🇱 Jan Urban na mecze barażowe powoła czterech bramkarzy!

Będą to Kamil Grabara, Bartłomiej Drągowski, Mateusz Kochalski i Mateusz Lis! 🇵🇱 🙌

ℹ️ TVP Sport pic.twitter.com/AYl8XifNzN

— Transfery Piłkarskie (@Transfery_) March 17, 2026

“He has a special aura around him and believes he is the best in the world, and that may irritate a lot of people,” Eskelinen says.

Sweden takes on Poland at Stockholm's Friends Arena on Thursday evening, 20:45 CET.

Can Poland's Grabara stay focused amid Sweden's psychological tactics?