Living The Dream

Michael Svensson admits that he's never dreamed of playing in the FA Cup final - because he never thought he'd get there.

But now, as the countdown to Sunday's quarter-final tie with Wolves gathers pace, the centre-back insists: "I'm living the dream!"

The Swedish international is one of many foreign players who hold the competition in the highest possible regard.

The magic of the FA Cup transcends national borders and travels over international waters to hold its appeal almost anywhere in the world.

But Svensson confesses that, now Saints have reached the last eight for only the second time in the last 16 years, he's allowing himself to dream about the prospect of playing in the final.

"The FA Cup is quite famous in Sweden and a lot of it is broadcast on the TV over there," said the man who grew up supporting Aston Villa and who joined for ¢G2m from French club Troyes last summer.

"I remember watching the final every year as I was boy growing up so of course that makes it more special for me to play in it and gives me that goal of trying to reach the final.

"I wouldn't say it's something I've dreamed of because I never thought it would happen, but now I am this far it is a dream."

He added: "It is a magical competition and when you get this far you have to go for it.

"It is a great opportunity for us to go a long way and there is a chance we can try and go all the way to the final."

Svensson has also had the perspective of looking in at the competition from the outside.

English fans can take for granted the uniqueness of the passion and excitement it instils in everybody. But as a foreign player, Svensson is in a better position than most to judge how much that differs from the normal cut and thrust of league matches.

He says he can feel a buzz around the city every time he steps out of his home and every time he speaks to any Saints fans.

"You can tell how important this competition is by seeing how people are," said Svensson. "Everybody is so interested in it and everybody is always talking about it.

"The attendances at the games have been superb, we got 32,000 against Norwich which shows how interested people are and how much it means to the fans in this country and at this club."

Svensson added: "It is a great chance for us but Wolves are a good team - they are all good teams at this stage - so we know we have to be on guard and at the top of our game to beat them."