Sweden names squad

[CG]

http://www.euro2004.com/News/Kind=1/newsId=175632.html


Goalkeepers
Andreas Isaksson (Djurgårdens IF)
Magnus Hedman (Ancona Calcio)
Magnus Kihlstedt (FC København)

Defenders
Petter Hansson (SCHeerenveen)
Andreas Jakobsson (Brøndby IF)
Teddy Lucic (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
Erik Edman (SC Heerenveen)
Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa FC)
Erik Wahlstedt (Helsingborgs IF)
Johan Mjällby (Celtic FC)
Michael Svensson (Southampton FC)

Midfielders
Pontus Farnerud (RC Strasbourg)
Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal FC)
Anders Svensson (Southampton FC)
Mikael Nilsson (Halmstads BK)
Kim Källström (Stade Rennais FC)
Anders Andersson (SL Benfica)
Tobias Linderoth (Everton FC)
Christian Wilhelmsson (RSC Anderlecht)

Forwards
Henrik Larsson (Celtic FC)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AFC Ajax)
Mattias Jonson (Brøndby IF)
Marcus Allbäck (Aston Villa FC)

[SwissGCZ]

Interesting...three players play in Denmark (just as many as in Sweden). Why is that? Is the money better at Brøndby and FCK....?

[buckeye5]

Going to the match on 06.18 vs. Italy. I'll start familiarizing myself with everyone I guess.

[Fevernova99]

Anyone who knows sweden well care to comment on the selection? Surprises, upcoming youngsters, etc...? Nice to know about all the teams involved...

[Shichinin]

Well someone has to I guess. :) Bear in mind these are my personal opinions and ratings (1 = out of his league, 5 = consistently very good) so don't go in hysterics if you disagree ;) :

Goalkeepers
Andreas Isaksson (Djurgårdens IF) +++++ First choice, very good young keeper
Magnus Hedman (Ancona Calcio) + A has-been, but still a coach favorite, mistake prone
Magnus Kihlstedt (FC København) +++ Solid but you'll probably not see much of him

Defenders
Petter Hansson (SCHeerenveen) +++ A little inexperienced in the NT, but a tough, typical central defender, C
Andreas Jakobsson (Brøndby IF) ++++ Tough and constructive, a personal favourite, C (DM)
Teddy Lucic (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) ++ Probably the best we have on the right, but we're not spoiled for choice, R/L
Erik Edman (SC Heerenveen) +++ Seldom makes mistakes, L
Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa FC) +++++ Hard-worker with lots of will, as much as a "leader" as we have, C
Erik Wahlstedt (Helsingborgs IF) + Inexplicable choice, very poor in the friendly v Portugal, R
Johan Mjällby (Celtic FC) + Unpolished, showed a big heart in the WC 2002, not fit at the moment, C (DM)
Michael Svensson (Southampton FC) +++ Tough, sort of "British", C

Midfielders
Pontus Farnerud (RC Strasbourg) +++ Skilled youngster, could surprise if given the chance, C
Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal FC) ++++ Class player, good both defensively and offensively L/R
Anders Svensson (Southampton FC) +++ Seems to play his best when it matters, good shot, AM
Mikael Nilsson (Halmstads BK) +++ Versatile and enthusiastic, might be a little inexperienced, R (RD)
Kim Källström (Stade Rennais FC) ++++ Interesting and creative player, good shot, C
Anders Andersson (SL Benfica) + Underwhelming, doesn't really add anything, a back-up, DM
Tobias Linderoth (Everton FC) ++ Runs a lot, eager but technically a bit lacking, DM
Christian Wilhelmsson (RSC Anderlecht) ++++ Runs a lot and does it well, optimistic, positive player, R

Forwards
Henrik Larsson (Celtic FC) +++++ Experienced, a leader, never makes a poor showing and a no-nonsense goal scorer
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AFC Ajax) ++++ Unique, very technical, somewhat round-about but huge potential
Mattias Jonson (Brøndby IF) ++ Unspectacular forward, but not really bad by any means
Marcus Allbäck (Aston Villa FC) + Has scored important goals in the Qs, but in between has been prone to miss easy chances

This is still just a preliminary 23 players and a few suffer minor injuries, so there might be one or two changes before the tournament

[Shichinin]

Interesting...three players play in Denmark (just as many as in Sweden). Why is that? Is the money better at Brøndby and FCK....?

They receive tax breaks for a few (3?) years. Some of them claim the Danish league has better tempo too, which isn't unreasonable considering how little success Swedish clubs have had in Europe recently (sadly)

[sendorange]

Sweden have a very solid team, and I've been impressed by the creative and flair play of Källström, Wilhelmsson and Ibrahimovic. I think Swden have got a very good chance of getting out of their group, from then on it's an open lottery.

Svensson and Mellberg are tough and very capable at the back. The only questionable areas for me are the fullbacks and to a lesser extent whoever gets the nod to play def mid. Considering how combative Denmark are in the middle of the pitch, and how lethal their wingers are, should be a very tight game in the 'derby'.

[Offside2]

I'm very happy that Henrik Larsson is entering the tournament! Especially the way he changed his mind to repick his boots for the national team. (His little kid urged him to play for Sweden>> awww) :)

[Ceres]

Interesting...three players play in Denmark (just as many as in Sweden). Why is that? Is the money better at Brøndby and FCK....?

I would say that you are payed up to twice as much in Denmark + you only have to pay 25% in taxes the first 3 years...

also the Swedish players/coaches in Denmark think that though the Swedish teams are a bit more physical strong, the the Danish league is better because the players have better technique, and simply are better at passing the ball around the pitch, and at a higher pace....
.

[Jombajomba]

I would say that you are payed up to twice as much in Denmark + you only have to pay 25% in taxes the first 3 years...

also the Swedish players/coaches in Denmark think that though the Swedish teams are a bit more physical strong, the the Danish league is better because the players have better technique, and simply are better at passing the ball around the pitch, and at a higher pace....
.

Not really...

But the swedish league is anti football to an absurd extent. Its natural that no none would like to play there. There's just to many examples of absurd idiotic tactics with defenders as offensive midfielders etc ( its not like these teams can defend either, its just "desctructive playing without really good defending)

About the squad. People migth not have heard of Kallstrom or Wilhelmsson yet but its obvious that we do have a verey good starting eleven, but with the "friendly" selections of our two coaches thats also just about it.
Hopefully we can still avoid injuries ( except on Linderoth) cuse then i think we can play good football this summer.

[Offside2]

I think Sweden can beat Italy with this squad. Italians ca underestimate them and Sweden need little chances to score with Hendrik on target

[csh2000]

I'm very happy that Henrik Larsson is entering the tournament! Especially the way he changed his mind to repick his boots for the national team. (His little kid urged him to play for Sweden>> awww) :)

I'm psyched about this as well - he's one of my favorite players.

Is there any word on where he'll play in the fall, since he's leaving Celtic?

[Offside2]

I'm psyched about this as well - he's one of my favorite players.

Is there any word on where he'll play in the fall, since he's leaving Celtic?

Only speculation at this time. I've no idea, but I hope barcelona :)

[tomas_brolin]

me being a sweden fan this is what might be or i think is a possible starting 11

Isaksson

Lucic Mjallby Mellberg Edman

Wilhelmsson Linderoth Svensson/Kallstrom Ljungberg

Ibrahimovic/Allback
Larsson

this is what i have, i would like to hear some of your opinions on this.

[Jombajomba]

Looks like a nightmare to me ;)

Källström should start. And between Allbäck and Zlatan there's no competition, Zlatan WILL start.
Mjällby and Linderoth are terrible. Specially Mjällby who just came back from an injury, understundable he is not in a verey good shape at all. And there's much better replacements in Svensson and Jakobsson...

Sadly Wilhelmsson probably wont start despite being MoM in his two latest caps against England and Portugal, his second and third game for the nt btw.