Sweden made it to the quarterfinals of the 2004 European Championships and the semifinals in its first appearance, in 1992, but it has not had overwhelming success since its third place finish at the 1994 World Cup. Still, Sweden has a traditionally solid squad and it made it through qualifying with only two losses and only a draw separating it and Spain, which is favored by some to win the tournament.
Sweden will rely on its experience when it heads to Austria and Switzerland. Defender Olof Mellberg (Juventus) is one of four players on the roster with more than 80 international appearances and star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan) will pick up his 50th cap in the tournament despite only being 26 years old. Ibrahimovic’s scoring touch will benefit the Swedes greatly while veteran Marcus Allback (FC Copenhagen), who led the team in goals during qualifying, will help carry the load. Another Swedish player to watch will be Henrik Larsson (Helsingborgs FC), who had retired from international soccer after the 2006 World Cup but played well in the Swedish league last season and earned a spot.
Sweden is ranked 23rd in the world by FIFA and will have to take on Russia, Spain and defending European champions Greece, but it should contend for the second spot in the group based on its experience and ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
Comments
Sweden. Good luck in E8. Zlatan take home the cup!
Posted by: 4rest | June 5, 2008 04:57 PM
GO Sweden!!!!!!!!
Posted by: SWEDEN | June 7, 2008 04:25 AM
Sweden palys interesting footbal, but never wins.
Posted by: Pasha | June 9, 2008 04:48 AM
Lång Levande Sverige! (Long Live Sweden)
Posted by: Sweden #1 | June 10, 2008 12:36 AM
the sweeds jus did work on greece they obv can win they scored 2 goals in the second half and really embarassed the greeks
Posted by: money money | June 10, 2008 08:36 PM
Sweden just defeated one of the contients best defenses, they can do it all.
Posted by: skyhelm | June 12, 2008 12:33 AM
Sweden has a tough group, but it is time to have some luck. If Zlatan can start scoring like he does in Inter, Sweden will advance. Vi håller tummarna för Sverige!
Expatriot i Florida.
Posted by: 00Swede | June 12, 2008 03:31 PM
viva herbert
Posted by: victor | June 12, 2008 09:51 PM
le meilleur joueur du monde zlata ibrahimovic
Posted by: Ibrahimovic | June 16, 2008 01:51 PM
jag love sweden ni äger från lukas
Posted by: lukas | June 16, 2008 03:48 PM
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is my favorite player and i want sewdan to win the euro 2008.
Posted by: bo | June 16, 2008 11:22 PM
I think Sweden depends too much on Zlatan Ibrahimovic... and if they do make it to the quarters the Netherlands will beat them
Posted by: MUluv4evr0710 | June 17, 2008 12:46 PM
Go Sweden!!!!
Posted by: Swede4life | June 18, 2008 04:38 PM
Go Sweden!!!!
Posted by: Swede4life | June 18, 2008 04:38 PM
sweeden sucks so does zlaten 1st goal n three years what is this hockey your over rated
Posted by: matt | June 25, 2008 02:15 PM
matt i think your ideas are crap
Posted by: mattsucks | July 2, 2008 10:51 AM
sweden is better than yo mama
Posted by: MR.$C$A$S$H$E$Y$ | July 10, 2008 06:23 PM
this year at august in bejing olympic world soccer teams are Republica de Argentina Federative Republic of Brazil of south america Republic of Cameroon Republic of Cote d’Ivoire of africa Kingdom of the Netherlands Kingdom of Belgium Italian Republic servia of europe People's Republic of China Commonwealth of Australia South Korea japan of asia as we know all of world soccer is ended to this summer but in beijing olympic wait to world soccer fans we predict to winner of golden prize all most of people predict Federative Republic of Brazil Republica de Argentina will be winner of bejing olympic maybe we agree to we said and predicted anyway go to see bejing olympic this last summer soccer festival.
Posted by: winners | July 19, 2008 07:52 AM
this year at august in bejing olympic world soccer teams are Republica de Argentina Federative Republic of Brazil of south america Republic of Cameroon Republic of Cote d’Ivoire of africa Kingdom of the Netherlands Kingdom of Belgium Italian Republic servia of europe People's Republic of China Commonwealth of Australia South Korea japan of asia as we know all of world soccer is ended to this summer but in beijing olympic wait to world soccer fans we predict to winner of golden prize all most of people predict Federative Republic of Brazil Republica de Argentina will be winner of bejing olympic maybe we agree to we said and predicted anyway go to see bejing olympic this last summer soccer festival.
Posted by: winners | July 19, 2008 07:52 AM
this year at august in bejing olympic world soccer teams are Republica de Argentina Federative Republic of Brazil of south america Republic of Cameroon Republic of Cote d’Ivoire of africa Kingdom of the Netherlands Kingdom of Belgium Italian Republic servia of europe People's Republic of China Commonwealth of Australia South Korea japan of asia as we know all of world soccer is ended to this summer but in beijing olympic wait to world soccer fans we predict to winner of golden prize all most of people predict Federative Republic of Brazil Republica de Argentina will be winner of bejing olympic maybe we agree to we said and predicted anyway go to see bejing olympic this last summer soccer festival. in fifa ranking first top is spain seond top is Federative Republic of Brazil and third top is Republica de Argentina threfore Republica de Argentina is second top Federative Republic of Brazil is first top in bejing olympic game.
Posted by: winners | July 19, 2008 08:21 AM
Im so glad sweden lost they are show offs
Posted by: soccerzan9 | July 23, 2008 03:21 PM
The most important thing is not winning but that sweden loses
Posted by: Schnitzel Meister | July 26, 2008 08:39 AM
sweden is 1 of the best and its because of ibrahimovic
Posted by: zahid | August 3, 2008 11:38 PM
hi
Posted by: Anonymous | August 5, 2008 06:15 PM
go sweden
Posted by: ivan ahumpalot | August 8, 2008 05:55 PM
swedish chicks are hot.i know it's irrelevant to the topic,but it had to be said.
Posted by: ITALY'S FAVORITE SON. | August 12, 2008 12:35 AM
matt's a goof, and i bet yu sucks at football, Ibrahimovic is the best by far
Posted by: Sverige! | August 13, 2008 10:22 AM
let's go sweden!!!
Posted by: pizzaro | September 16, 2008 03:27 AM
sweden kicks butt everyone who doesnt like them can suck it
Posted by: brady scolton | October 2, 2008 03:56 PM
Sweden#1 Sweden#1
Posted by: sweden | October 17, 2008 09:41 PM
I think by far sweden is the best.Ps swedish girls are hot.kick some butt Sweden!Opps I almost forgot Swedens#1!
Posted by: sweden | October 20, 2008 08:13 PM