Zlatan Ibrahimovic said today in a press conference that sweden can win WC 2006, and that it's their goal. The swedish media asked confused if that really is realistic. Zlatan said of course, and that we need to have that mentality. He also points out that the swedish players gets better each year in europe, and says look at the stats. He also pointed out that we took Holland to penalties in Euro 2004. Zlatan says that he likes the pressure of setting up a high goal.
yeah i think sweden can do it, they always seem to cause upsets- like finishing top in the 'group of death' in 2002, knocking out argentina in the process; and again in euro, knocking italy out of the group. If anything though, i don't think they really have the depth to cover injuries in the squad
There is no chance whatsoever that FIFA will allow Juve to enter the World Cup. It's obvious why......I mean, Juventus is a club. So, in short, no, they cannot win the World Cup. What a stupid thing to say. Revelian
I don't think anybody would really be shocked if they reached the last four. So who's to say they can't win two more games. I would put their chances behind: Brazil, Argentina, England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Netherlands, but above anyone else I can think of. I'd put them at 45-1 odds.
Qualify first. See you in October. While Lucic proved to be a nice guy, Zlatan thinks to much of himself, when it comes to their attitude towards Croatian fans. He won't be welcomed very well. And the first game proved that his game is paralyzed when he's pissed off.
I really question the merits of the Swedish team and Ibrahimovic comments. Sweden are a good team but they're not a team capable of winning the World Cup. They were unlucky in the Euro against Holland and if they did win against the Dutch, Sweden might have been in with a chance of winning the tornament. Once you think of the World Cup though, you have nations like Brazil and Argentina who are much more skillful and let me remind everyone of Sweden's record against Brazil, which is appalling. Seven World Cup matches against Brazil and no wins. Most woeful of all, they lose the World Cup Final at home in 1958. It doesn't matter that they were playing Brazil, Sweden were at home and they should have made the most of the home advantage. Not only that, this Swedish squad was a very good one also. If Sweden reach the semi-finals at least, there is the huge possibility of facing Brazil and a Swedish win against the Brazilians doesn't look realistic.
Spain,France,Portugal...Are you on crack Potrugal and Spain will both do the Iberrian choke dance and France's Golden Era had passed them by...I give Sweden better odds seeing ad they have gone farther than all 3 teams in recent competitions WC 2002 and Euro 2004
Swedne finished 3rd in 1994 and scored most goals in the tournament. It's pretty realistic to finish top 4. back in 1994 we played 1-1 and 0-1 against a very strong brazilian team. I think brazil isn't as good today, but we are better.
Yes! Agree wholeheartedly, just needed someone with a better command of the language to do it for me. Thanks!
Our team can improve if we just find decent reliable defenders, mikael nilsson is just not good enough at this level. It's freakin' unbelivable he got as far as playing for the NT and southhampton. Zlatan is over confident but anything is possible.
I'm not talking about the Swedish team of 1994 specifically. What you have to think of though is that Sweden have played many games against Brazil at a World Cup and there should have been at least one or two victories. If Brazil and Sweden play each other and Sweden wins, that would be as good as winning the World Cup for the Swedish. Seven games and no wins. That's dismal to say the least.
For those who don't know, here was Sweden's performance at the 2002 World Cup. This is just a presentation of their results, not for me to make an opinion on the team. Jun 02 Saitama England v Sweden 1-1 Jun 02 Ibaraki Argentina v Nigeria 1-0 Jun 07 Kobe Sweden v Nigeria 2-1 Jun 07 Sapporo Argentina v England 0-1 Jun 12 Miyagi Sweden v Argentina 1-1 Jun 12 Osaka Nigeria v England 0-0 P W D L Gls Pts SWEDEN 3 1 2 0 4-3 5 ENGLAND 3 1 2 0 2-1 5 Argentina 3 1 1 1 2-2 4 Nigeria 3 0 1 2 1-3 1 SECOND ROUND Jun 16 Oita Sweden v Senegal GG 1-2
Sweden played very well against Holland in the quarter finals at the Euro-04, but the fact is that they were bit lucky with reaching the quarter finals in the first place and not losing to both Italy and Denmark in the group stage.... Btw, Zlatan Ibrahimovic also told the media that he belived Sweden could win the Euro-04 ... .
I originally tipped Italy and Sweden to go through. Sweden were lucky against Italy because the Azzurri had Trappatoni coaching and his tactics, which backfired, allowed Sweden to get back into the game. At the start I also thought that Denmark were really going to struggle throughout the group stage in the Euro.
I still find it amazing the Argies failed to get out of that group, but I guess if you build your team around Veron your putting yourself in trouble.
Spain is already doing it in group play. Came a whisker within losing to freaking Bosnia at home. Unbelievably bad right now, the only thing that's saving them is that their group is the worst qualifying group in all of Europe (maybe alongside England's). France is also in danger of failing to qualify, but the Irish shot their chances in the foot when they gave up the 2-0 lead to Israel last week. Ireland take that game in hand and they almost certainly win the group, now, who knows? Iberian Choke Dance . Nice.
If it's around Veron, Bielsa must have been nuts. The only time it was wise to base an Argentinian squad around one player was in Maradona's days.
Bielsa wanted to play the 3-4-3 which the Ajax of '95 is famous for. Only this system is designed to play against teams with 2 strikers playing next to each other and their are not many teams playing like that left. Also did he use the wrong players at the wrong positions. Batigoal as a striker who needs to hold the ball and create scoring chances for himself and others isn't my idea of great tactics.
Maybe he meant the World Club Cup Seriously though. Zlatan has a mouth and I've recently heard him say that he's going to be one of the greatest players in the world. It's one thing thinking this but going around telling everybody this does run a risk of looking a bit foolish at times. As far as Sweden winning the whole tournament. Well they have to get past Croatia in the qualifiers first, although they could wind up as one of the best 2nd place teams. It could be between them Poland and Czech - or else it's the playoffs and who knows what could happen then. The biggest issue questioning Sweden's potential is how they will do without Henrik Larsson up front. Is he still retired from the NT? And if not, will he be himself after sitting out a year injured? He has remained one of their most potent weapons up front and without him Sweden may not be as dangerous as they were the last two tourney's. Sweden can be a little unpredictable at times and I find they do better when not too much is excpected of them. It all depends on which Sweden shows up - the one that crashed out of Euro 2000 or the one that reached the quarterfinals last year? One thing is for sure is that no one will take Sweden lightly this time around.