Top stars Fredrik Ljungberg of Arsenal, Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Juventus and Henrik Larsson of Barcelona were the standouts in the Swedish 23-man squad named Tuesday for the World Cup finals in Germany.
"Henrik Larsson is unique and can play in any position, on the midfield or as a forward," Swedish coach Lars Lagerback said, adding that the 34-year-old was "improving with age."
Lagerback predicted Ibrahomovic would be "better than in Portugal" in Euro 2004, and said Ljungberg has "a great eye for football."
Goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson, 24, of Stade Rennes was a given starter, Lagerback said. His backups were John Alvbage, 23, of Danish side Viborg, and Isaksson's former rival Rami Shabaan of Norwegian club Fredrikstad. The 30-year-old has also played for Arsenal.
Prolific striker Marcus Allback, who over the weekend won the Danish league with FC Copenhagen, was included as backup to Larsson and Ibrahimovic.
"He is a great goalscorer," Lagerback said of Allback.
Lagerback's main headache has been the defence line but he selected foot-injured Erik Edman of Stade Rennes.
Lagerback said he was "confident" that Edman would be fit and ready to train at maximum in a week.
Other defenders included team captain Olof Mellberg, 28, of Aston Villa who has had a "problematic spring season," but Lagerback praised Mellberg's qualities as a team leader.
Defender Mikael Nilsson of Panathinaikos made a comeback to the national side. Another surprise choice was Goteborg's 22-year-old defender Karl Svensson.
Lagerback dropped Alexander Ostlund of English first division side Southampton.
Although the squad only included seven defenders, Lagerback said he could rely on veteran midfielder Niclas Alexandersson of IFK Goteborg to double as a defender.
Six of the 23 players have not previously played in a major international tournament.
Lagerback said it was "easy to select 15, 16 players," and that the choice had been toughest regarding goalkeepers and defenders.
"After Sweden qualified, we have studied their performance on the national side and how they have faired in their clubs," 57-year-old Lagerack said, adding that while some of the players were young they were "selected on merits but may be future key players."
Lagerback also listed nine players for standby in Sweden, including veteran goalkeeper Bengt Andersson, 39, of IFK Goteborg.
The final squad list of 23 must be handed in at the world governing body FIFA by May 15. Sweden play in Group B with England, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.
Provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson (Stade Rennes), John Alvbage (Viborg), Rami Shaaban (Fredrikstad).
Defenders: Erik Edman (Stade Rennes), Petter Hansson (Heerenveen), Teddy Lucic (BK Hacken), Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa), Mikael Nilsson (Panathinaikos), Fredrik Stenman (Bayer Leverkusen), Karl Svensson (IFK Goteborg).
Midfielders: Niclas Alexandersson (IFK Goteborg), Daniel Andersson (Malmo FF), Kim Kallstrom (Stade Rennes), Tobias Linderoth (FC Copenhagen), Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal), Anders Svensson (Elfsborg), Christian Wilhelmsson (Anderlecht).
Forwards: Marcus Allback (FC Copenhagen), Johan Elmander (Brondby), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus), Mattias Jonson (Djurgarden), Henrik Larsson (Barcelona), Markus Rosenberg (Ajax). |
