| Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|
| John Alvbage | Goalkeeper | Viborg (Denmark) |
| Andreas Isaksson | Goalkeeper | Rennes (France) |
| Rami Shaaban | Goalkeeper | Fredrikstad (Norway) |
| Erik Edman | Defender | Rennes (France) |
| Petter Hansson | Defender | Heerenveen (Netherlands) |
| Teddy Lucic | Defender | Hacken |
| Olof Mellberg | Defender | Aston Villa (England) |
| Mikael Nilsson | Defender | Panathinaikos (Greece) |
| Fredrik Stenman | Defender | Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) |
| Karl Svensson | Defender | IFK Goteborg |
| Niclas Alexandersson | Midfielder | IFK Goteborg |
| Daniel Andersson | Midfielder | Malmo |
| Johan Elmander | Midfielder | Brondby (Denmark) |
| Mattias Jonson | Midfielder | Djurgarden |
| Kim Kallstrom | Midfielder | Rennes (France) |
| Tobias Linderoth | Midfielder | FC Copenhagen (Denmark) |
| Freddie Ljungberg | Midfielder | Arsenal (England) |
| Anders Svensson | Midfielder | Elfsborg |
| Christian Wilhelmsson | Midfielder | Anderlecht (Belgium) |
| Marcus Allback | Forward | FC Copenhagen (Denmark) |
| Zlatan Ibrahimovic | Forward | Juventus (Italy) |
| Henrik Larsson | Forward | FC Barcelona (Spain) |
| Markus Rosenberg | Forward | Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands) |
| Head Coach: | Lars Lagerback | |
Scouting Report
Style of play: Coach Lars Lagerback usually goes with a 4-4-2 formation, but has been known to use a 4-3-3 setup (with a third forward playing behind two strikers) and a 4-4-1-1 scheme (with one forward playing just behind the other in a playmaking role). Sweden plays a very mechanical, deliberate brand of soccer. Kim Kallstrom and Tobias Linderoth will form the key partnership in the midfield with Kallstrom responsible for distributing the ball and Linderoth taking on more defensive duties. Freddie Ljungberg on the right and Christian Wilhelmsson on the left are two attack-minded wingers who will make probing runs down the flanks and help set up the two strikers, Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Larsson thrives on balls played to him on the ground that he can run onto, while Ibrahimovic is a master at retaining possession and creating his own scoring chances.
Probable starting lineup (4-4-2): (GK) Andreas Isaksson - (D) Karl Svensson, Teddy Lucic, Olof Mellberg, Erik Edman - (M) Freddie Ljungberg, Kim Kallstrom, Tobias Linderoth, Christian Wilhelmsson - (F) Henrik Larsson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Strengths:
Potent attack - Sweden booked its place in Germany on the strength of
its lethal attack (30 goals scored in 10 qualifying games). In Juventus forward
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden possesses a player who can score bags of goals
and set up teammates. Veteran Henrik Larsson is a legendary goal predator
inside the penalty box and he and Ibrahimovic will receive plenty of support
from attack-minded wingers Freddie Ljungberg and Christian Wilhelmsson.
Defence - Sweden had one of the best defensive records in the qualifying
round, conceding a mere four goals in ten games. Olof Mellberg and Teddy Lucic
are strong and efficient in the centre of defence, Erik Edman is a reliable
and competent left fullback and Teddy Lucic brings veteran experience. They
are backed up by one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, Andreas Isaksson.
A kind draw - Sweden is blessed with a relatively easy group and a
painless first-round schedule. It plays its first game against World Cup first-timers
Trinidad and Tobago and then takes on Paraguay, a side it shouldn't have too
much trouble with. By the time Sweden takes on England it will have likely
already locked up a second-round berth.
Weaknesses:
The Ibrahimovic factor - Ibrahimovic is one of the game's greatest players,
but he's also undisciplined and a bit of a hot head. He often sulks and loses
his cool when things don't go his way on the field, and when he does he's
rendered completely ineffectual. Without him, the attack will sputter and
Sweden will be taken out of its rhythm, meaning Ibrahimovic will have to display
a high level of maturity - not exactly his strong suit.
Central midfield - Ljungberg and Wilhelmsson give Sweden dangerous
options on the flanks, but coach Lagerback lacks quality in the centre of
midfield. Kim Kallstrom and Karl Svensson have struggled of late and Tobias
Linderoth isn't the kind of player you turn to for his playmaking ability.
Without a genuine creator in the middle, the Swedish attack will have to rely
entirely on service from the wings.
Lack of depth - Sweden doesn't have a deep reservoir of players that
can score goals - Ibrahimovic, Ljungberg and Larsson carry the goal-scoring
burden on their own. Sweden's problems in central midfield have been documented,
but the picture gets even bleaker at the back as there are no suitable substitutes
for the starting four defenders. And God help Sweden if goalkeeper Andreas
Isaksson is knocked out of the tournament with an injury.
Players to watch:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - The reigning Swedish player of the year and a
star forward with Italian champions Juventus. Ibrahimovic is a true genius,
able to bamboozle defenders with unique flicks and mesmerizing moves. The
tall Swede displays exquisite ball control and incredible inventiveness in
front of the goal and is often compared to Dutch legend Marco van Basten.
Freddie Ljungberg - The veteran midfielder is famous for his brilliant
dribbling skills and for making dangerous, darting runs down the flanks. He
combines tremendous speed with guile, and has a penchant for penetrating the
opposing team's penalty box and scoring goals after making one of his swashbuckling
runs from midfield.
Andreas Isaksson - A tall goalkeeper who provides stability between
the posts for Sweden. Isaksson is a talented stopper, with a flair for making
great athletic saves look easy. He commands the penalty area with great authority
and organizes the defenders in front of him effectively. One of soccer's most
underrated goalkeepers.
Key injuries/ squad omissions: Right fullback Alexander Ostlund seemed a sure bet to make the team a few months ago but recent poor performances cost him a spot on the team. Instead, coach Lagerback selected Fredrik Stenman, who is coming off a strong season with German club Bayer Leverkusen, but has never played for Sweden. Defender Mikael Nilsson was a surprise pick considering he rarely plays for his club, Greek side Panathinaikos. Defenders Daniel Majstorovic and Christoffer Andersson did not make the cut - but youngster Karl Svensson did. Rami Shaaban was selected as one of the backup goalkeepers instead of the more experienced Eddie Gustafsson. Influential midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is hampered by a foot injury, but is expected to play through the pain. Defenders Erik Edman (foot) and Teddy Lucic (groin) have been troubled by injuries lately.
Prognosis: Sweden booked its place in Germany on the strength of its lethal attack (30 goals scored) and stingy defensive record (just four goals against). It's a feat they'll be looking to duplicate in Germany, and thankfully for the Swedes, they have the players to do it. Ibrahimovic is a magical player with such creative instincts that he alone lifts the Swedes to a higher level. Though they lack depth and have struggled in recent exhibition games, Sweden's starting lineup is full of quality and they should have no trouble finishing in the top-two in Group B. The third game against England will decide the group and don't discount the Swedes from winning it - Sweden hasn't lost to England since 1968. Look for the Swedes to make it to the quarter-final round.
Road to the World Cup
Current FIFA Ranking: #16
1st round matches:
June 10 vs. Trinidad and Tobago in Dortmund
June 15 vs. Paraguay in Berlin
June 20 vs. England in Cologne
2006 qualification route: Sweden finished in second place (24 points)
in Europe's Group 8 behind Croatia (24 points). Sweden was one of two second-place
teams in Europe to gain automatic qualification.
Qualifying record: 10 games played, 8 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses
Goals for: 30 Goals against: 4
Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (8)
Qualifying results: (home team listed first)
Sept. 4, 2004 - Malta 0, Sweden 7
Sept. 8, 2004 - Sweden 0, Croatia 1
Oct. 9, 2004 - Sweden 3, Hungry 0
Oct. 13, 2005 - Iceland 1, Sweden 4
March 26, 2005 - Bulgaria 0, Sweden 3
June 4, 2005 - Sweden 6, Malta 0
Sept. 3, 2005 - Sweden 3, Bulgaria 0
Sept. 7, 2005 - Hungry 0, Sweden 1
Oct. 8, 2005 - Croatia 1, Sweden 0
Oct. 12, 2005 - Sweden 3, Iceland 1
World Cup History
FIFA member since: 1904
Team nickname: Blagult
All-time caps leader: Thomas Ravelli (143)
All-time leading scorer: Sven Rydell (49 goals)
Number of Previous World Cup Appearances: 10
All-time record: 42 games played, 15 wins, 11 draws, 16 losses
Goals for: 71 Goals against: 65
World Cup History:
1930 - Did not enter
1934 - Quarter-finals
1938 - Semifinals (4th place)
1950 - Second round (3rd place)
1954 - Did not qualify
1958 - Runners-up
1962 - Did not qualify
1966 - Did not qualify
1970 - First round
1974 - Second round
1978 - First round
1982 - Did not qualify
1986 - Did not qualify
1990 - First round
1994 - Semifinals (3rd place)
1998 - Did not qualify
2002 - Second Round
Biggest victory: 8-0 vs. Cuba in 1938
Biggest defeat: 7-1 vs. Brazil in 1950
Overall top scorer: Kennet Andersson (5 goals)
Most appearances: Karl Svensson and Bo Larsson (11 matches)
Hosted the World Cup: 1958
Other Achievements:
Olympic Gold Medal: 1948
Olympic Bronze Medal: 1924, 1952
Greatest Players:
Lennart Skoglund: Skoglund was an accomplished left-winger who helped
Sweden reach the World Cup final on home soil in 1958. Renowned for his refined
dribbling and passing skills, he played nine seasons for Inter Milan, winning
the Italian league title twice.
Thomas Ravelli: Sweden's number one goalkeeper for the bulk of the 1980s and 1990s, Ravelli led Sweden to a third place finish in the 1994 World Cup in the U.S. Ravelli was nicknamed the "The Clown Prince of Soccer" for his pranks and jovial demeanour. Sweden's all-time caps leader with 143 national team appearances.