Eyebrows were raised in mid-March when Graham Potter was announced as permanent head coach of the Sweden national team. After all, the only two games of his interim spell saw a draw and a defeat in November, confirming the side's place at the bottom of their four-team group.
To give him the job full-time, before the World Cup playoff matches that his interim period was already due to live or die by, looked to be a gamble. Two wins and a place at the World Cup later, it looks like a stroke of genius.
Viktor Gyokeres' hat-trick in Valencia in the 3-1 win over Ukraine in the semi-final was a terrific start, but would count for absolutely nothing if Sweden fell to Poland at home in the final.
As the cliche goes, it could have gone either way, but a "hockey goal" from Gyokeres in the 88th minute sent Sweden to their 13th World Cup finals, after Anthony Elanga and Gustaf Lagerbielke had twice put Blagult ahead.
So, what is it that caused an upturn in form just at the right time? Various players, including captain Victor Lindelof, mentioned ahead of the Poland game just how much better the atmosphere has been in the camp under the former West Ham, Chelsea and Swansea boss.
Potter was not keen to take credit after the game, but he spoke about how important it was to create the right atmosphere.
"The players have been very responsive. We have shown what we can do as a team against a very good Poland. Most things in football are determined by how much money you have. But if you can create the right environment and work together correctly, it can go a long way," he said.
Sweden have qualified despite a long injury list that was extended over the course of this international window. The English coach reflected on how his squad have been hurt, physically and mentally, but have still come through this test, saying the team was injured "in more ways than one."
"When the results go against you, you see how football can change, life changes. You think you've hit rock-bottom. It's darkness.
"It wasn't long ago that the team was heavily criticised. That's part of the job. Now the support from the crowd was huge. We weren't perfect, but as a team we were outstanding."
The Swedes will participate in a tough Group F in the finals - beginning against the experienced Tunisia in Guadalajara on 14th June, before facing three-time finalists the Netherlands in Houston on 20th June, then completing their group campaign in Arlington against a tough Japan side on 25th June.
But for now, the focus is on enjoying the moment qualification was confirmed by the scrappy Gyokeres goal, which Potter was struggling to believe was real.
"I looked towards the goal and suddenly the whole bench ran onto the pitch and I thought, 'Am I here?' It was like an out-of-body experience. A moment you were grateful to be part of," he admitted.
Potter has already been part of one magical experience in Swedish football, taking Ostersund from the lower tiers to the Europa League. Now, back in his second home, he can look forward to taking the nation where his children were born to a major tournament.
"And it's for the World Cup, and I'm very happy for the players! It's hard to let it sink in. I'm so grateful."