BEWARE OF THE VIKINGS

Sweden are rated 23^rd in the world by FIFA.

Remember 2002 when Sweden got out of a group with Argentina, England and Nigeria or 2004 when they reached the quarter-finals after eliminating Italy? Sweden have for some years increased their level and compete with the big European teams. They are not to be overlooked.

The star is Inter Milan’s brilliant striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Remember his wonderful goal from nowhere against Italy which was the goal of the Euro 2004? But Sweden has many other experienced players such as Manchester City’s goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson, former Aston Villa now Juventus-bound rock Olof Melberg, Lyon’s Kim Kallstrom and Toulouse’s Johan Elmander who are two of the best players in the French Ligue 1. And Sweden will also have Henrik Larsson back from retirement but not Freddy Ljungberg who is injured.

The coach Lars Lagerback is a hard-worker and knows his team well – he has been on the backroom staff since 1997.

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