Having missed out on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Sweden will be eyeing to make amends in this year's European Championships. They have made it to the finals after finishing as best runners-up in the qualification campaign. Needing a win against the Netherlands to qualify, Sweden produced the goods, a 3-2 victory at home, against a team that won every match of their group till that point.
It's a massive boost for the nation which has always been rich in providing the football pedigree but somehow unable to replicate it on a big stage. Qualifying for the 2012 competition was the only thing in the coach Erik Hamren's mind when he took over from Lars Lagerback when Sweden failed to qualify for the event in South Africa. Hamren, being one of the most respected coaches in the region, employed all his experience to get his side through to the main event.
Though defence has always been Sweden's forte, their ability to hit the opponents in counter-attack can surprise the top teams. And having a talisman in the form of the captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic upfront, Sweden can go the distance this time around. Ibrahimovic has represented some of the top European clubs in his career so far and is coming to the tournament after scoring 35 goals for AC Milan in the 2011/12 season. And considering this well may be his last shot at a major competition, it won't be surprising if the 30-year-old silences his critics in style and hangs up his boots on a high.
Another Swedish player to watch out for will be Lyon midfielder Kim Kallstrom who conjured up seven assists in the qualifying campaign, along with chipping in with three goals. The 29-year-old left-footed player will be eyeing to utilise the experience he gained in representing his country in more than 90 caps to good effect.
Sweden squad:
Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson (PSV Eindhoven), Johan Wiland (FC København), Par Hansson (Helsingborgs).
Defenders: Mikael Antonsson (Bologna FC), Andreas Granqvist (Genoa CFC), Olof Mellberg (Olympiacos FC), Jonas Olsson (West Bromwich Albion FC), Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers FC), Behrang Safari (RSC Anderlecht), Mikael Lustig (Celtic FC).
Midfielders: Emir Bajrami (FC Twente), Rasmus Elm (AZ Alkmaar), Samuel Holmen (Istanbul BB SK), Kim Kallstrom (Olympique Lyonnais), Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland AFC), Anders Svensson (IF Elfsborg), Pontus Wernbloom (PFC CSKA Moskva), Christian Wilhelmsson (Al-Hilal FC).
Forwards: Johan Elmander (Galatasaray AS), Tobias Hysen (IFK Goteborg), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan), Markus Rosenberg (SV Werder Bremen), Ola Toivonen (PSV Eindhoven)
Recent Euro performances:
2008: Eliminated in group stage
2004: Eliminated in quarter-finals
2000: Eliminated in group stage
1996: Did not qualify
Keep an eye on: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kim Kallstrom
Prediction: Though they have been put in the group of two European football giants – France and England – Sweden can still spring a surprise, especially if they get an early victory against host Ukraine, and if they make use of the absence of Wayne Rooney – who will be missing the games against France and Sweden – to conjure a win against England.
Fixtures:
Monday, June 11, 2012 v Ukraine
Friday, June 15, 2012 v England
Tuesday, June 19, 2012 v France
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