With the UEFA EURO 2008 tournament from Austria-Switzerland just hours away, the Sportable staff will bring you team previews leading up to the opening match. Group by group, we will discuss team rosters, flaws. and chances of being crowned European Champions.
Group D Matches:
June 10th: vs. Greece (Wals Siezenheim Stadium, Salzburg)
June 14th: vs. Spain (Tivoli-Neu Stadion, Innsbruck)
June 18th: vs. Russia (Tivoli-Neu Stadion, Innsbruck)
Larsson and Company still looking for first major trophy
The only time Sweden has lifted a trophy in the soccer world came in 1948 during the Olympic Games London. Since then, the Swedes haven’t sniffed anything but early round exits and an occasional semi-final appearance here and there. Can things go differently for them in Austria and Switzerland?
Attack
For some unknown reason Henrik Larsson is showing up to EURO 2008 as player. I was expecting the 36 year old to be a proud supporter for his nation, but he thought it was a good idea to put on a jersey. Other than Larsson, Sweden will be led in attack by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had his coming-out party during EURO 2004 in Portugal . Ibrahimovic will try to conquer Group D with Marcus Allback at his side. Allback scored 6 goals in qualifying to lead Sweden to a second place finish behind Spain. Sweden’s midfield is one that is experienced and, for the most part, over the hill. Youth tends to shine at the EUROs and Sweden doesn’t have it. The midfield will consist of journeyman Fredrik Ljungberg, Niclas Alexandersson, Tobias Linderoth, and Christian Wilhelmsson.
Defense
Sweden’s defensive front should be good enough to keep them in matches this June. A strong backline led by Olof Mellberg will have to control the speedy teams of Spain and Russia. Alongside Mellberg are Mikael Nilsson, Petter Hansson, and Daniel Majstorovic. Another strong point of the Swedes is their keeper. Andreas Isaksson has been patrolling the goal for Sweden since 2002, as he can be relied upon. There is no question that Sweden’s defensive front will have to dominate if they want to advance to the later stages of EURO 2008.
Outlook
Having already faced Spain twice in qualifying, I think the Swedes should have them figured out enough to possibly get a win against them. That’s not where the worries begin to amount though. Sweden have to take care of business against Russia and Greece or else they will be looking at a first round exit just after 2 games.
Prediction
-4 points in Group D
-A loss to Italy in the quarterfinals
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A draw game i presume. Greece will want to show to the world that their Euro 2004 win wasn’t a fluke victory. :)