‘You want to play the best’ – Spencer on Sweden test

Stockholm’s Strawberry Arena Kick-off Time: 18:00 GMT

When they take on Sweden in a friendly on Tuesday, Northern Ireland defender Brodie Spencer says he is looking forward to “against the best” testing himself.

As their positive run of form continued, Michael O’Neill’s young side drew with Switzerland on Friday.

Northern Ireland has now lost just two of their previous 11 games, having already defeated their Nations League rivals.

Alexander Isak, a Newcastle forward, is in a strong Swedish squad for the game in Stockholm despite the probable absence of Sporting striker Victor Gyokeres.

Spencer compared playing top-tier opponents to “the best, to test yourself and see where that puts you.”

To face that challenge so early in my career would be amazing, he said.

After Vincent Sierro’s superb opener was canceled, the 20-year-old claimed that Northern Ireland were “happy” with a draw against Switzerland but that “we could have gotten a little more out of the game.”

Sweden fell to Luxembourg with Isak and Anthony Elanga leading the charge in a shocking 1-0 defeat on Friday.

Spencer predicts the friendly, which will be the most recent in preparation for the start of 2026 World Cup qualifying in September, will be “quite similar” to facing the Swiss.

The Huddersfield Town right-back predicted a difficult and focused game.

“We can go out and put on a good performance once more,” he said. “It will be a game full of significant moments.