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The Solheim Cup
Live on Sky Sports
Sept13 - Sept 15

Tim Barter catches up with 2007 European Solheim Cup captain Helen Alfredsson to discuss her team and her tactics.

Helen, you've just announced your three captain's selections. Give us an idea of why you chose each individual.

Well, I think Maria Hjorth has played really well this year. She came through in the match play and that was on a very difficult golf course. And obviously the Solheim Cup is match play. She continued to play really well at the British when it was really tough wind and tough weather and she came through. I think she is that kind of player that she is good in match play.

Iben Tinning probably was the one that people would question a little bit more. She has been before, has played really well. I followed her a lot and she has a great game, and is very solid.

Linda has played really well. I like her, I like her head. I like the way she plays in that she is very aggressive and she can adjust to whatever game she needs. It is nice to have somebody that is hungry; she has the head to be there.

You've obviously had to disappoint some people. How difficult a decision was it?

It gave me sleepless nights. You know, I've been on tour for 18 or 19 years and I still play. I'm great friends with people so it was very hard, you know.

I know that great phone call, you're in the team, versus the I'm sorry and I don't like to disappoint people.

But they were super classy about it. I think they understood why and they were honest with themselves to realise that their game had not been in top shape for me to be able to pick them.

From an English point of view, Rebecca Hudson missed out very narrowly on automatic qualification. Have you spoken to her?

Vicky spoke to her. She was very classy. You know what, she was our toughest choice. The problem is, she's not that long off the tee. This is a lot longer and I mean the course is going to be long. I can feel for Rebecca because she had a very good year and was very solid. Unfortunately, it was not her time this time, but there's many more to come so she will be there.

How do you feel you'll use your wildcards? Will they just be a part of a 12-person team, or are they the reserves if the stronger players have qualified? How will it work?

No, no. I think the most important thing, when you have a team is that everybody starts from scratch no matter what your ranking is. Now you're in the team, everybody's the same worth. Everybody can bring the same amount of points. And I think it's very, very important for the rookies like Bettina Howard and Becky Brewerton to feel like we're all supportive. They are there because we believe they should be there. And I think that's what makes them more comfortable to perform better. If they feel like they come there and even need to prove themselves even more, I think that's a lot of pressure.

What about the American team? That's shaping up. Obviously, now at the end of the week, they'll pick their wildcards. How do you think they look?

Well I have been around them a lot. I mean they are good, solid players. I think it comes down to so many things. I think we've got as big of a chance as they do and I know with the world rankings, now where are we on the world rankings per person to them. But that's because they play on the LPJ and they get a lot more points. But I'm so confident and I am very pleased with my team.

Have you thought much about the pairings? Is form or experience more important to you when it comes to the opening matches, say?

Well, I think you've got three days when you check how they play. You want to go out strong and then obviously increase the pace and I think we have a lot of very good pairings. We've talked to the girls, who they like to play with and why. And it seems like it will be very easy to get some really good pairings together.

Annika's obviously been such an important part of the team over the last few matches. She's been injured this year; is that a big concern?

Well, I also know that her head is very strong and I think this is a game where she doesn't have to continuously be the same. She can go at it or a bogey doesn't matter. I think with Annika it's more in her head because she is so used to being so extremely perfect all the time and in match play you don't have to be as perfect. You have a partner that can save you. So if she would just realise that her game doesn't have to be to the level where it had been for them... for her to still win.

Tell us about the influence you've had over how the golf course is set up.

Well, I had a little meeting with Sam Torrence and I didn't know that you can manipulate the odd person! No, but, you know, things that fits us, you know. You look at the team and what is good for us and what are we going to do to make our chances bigger. Of course I'm going to take every chance within the limits that I can. I think we are a much longer hitting team. I mean we've got the big boomers; we've got Trish, we've got Becky, we've got Maria, we've got Sophie. We just need to make it a little bit wider for Laura so that she can use that driver on every hole.

You've played in seven Solheim Cups yourself. Who influenced you most as far as your captaincy is concerned of the captains you played under?

I think Mickey in the beginning was very good. I think the one that affected me so much, was actually Dale Reed in Loch Lomond. You know, she picked me; I had not played well. She knew how my record is pretty decent in the Solheim and singles and all that, and she picked me.

Well, we wish you luck. Thanks for talking to us.

Appreciate it.