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Henrik Larsson is Sweden squad for Euro's

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,881 ✭✭✭bohsman


    Sweden were very short of strikers.

    http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=681935.html#sweden+seek+fellow+predator

    Sweden seek a fellow predator

    Sweden are still searching for the ideal striking foil for Zlatan Ibrahimović with Henrik Larsson still casting a long shadow over the nation's forwards.

    Solid pairing
    Prior to the emergence of Ibrahimović, the front two pretty much picked itself, with Larsson and Marcus Allbäck forging a superb understanding. However, with the 36-year-old Larsson having retired from international football, and Allbäck, at 34, now used more often as a substitute, the big headache for coach Lars Lagerbäck is how to get the best out of the 26-year-old FC Internazionale Milano star.

    Proven talent
    Ibrahimović's talent is not in doubt. He has impressed once more in Italy and in the UEFA Champions League this season, with 20 goals in all competitions, but the national team have not been able to fully exploit his abilities. Tellingly he has not scored for Sweden since 12 October 2005, and while the player himself is unconcerned provided results continue to go his side's way, fans are not.

    Striking options
    The key, perhaps, is to find the right partner for the former Malmö FF and AFC Ajax star, and Lagerbäck has been checking out his options, with Johan Elmander, Markus Rosenberg, Marcus Berg and Rade Prica all having been given a chance to prove their worth, though the latter is probably out of the UEFA EURO 2008™frame due to a lack of first-team football at Sunderland AFC.

    Elmander uncertainty
    At 26, Elmander might seem the best bet. After his club, Toulouse FC, enjoyed a superb season in 2006/07, he became a regular for Sweden, but things have been tougher in the current campaign. With Toulouse struggling in Ligue 1, the hard-working Elmander has gone slightly off the boil for Sweden, and having not scored for the national team since 2 June 2007, his first-team place is still not certain.

    Supporting role
    In such circumstances, Allbäck might be considered for a starting role, but despite 29 goals in 71 international appearances, that may be expecting a lot. Now usually a substitute for Sweden, the FC København player has announced that UEFA EURO 2008™ will be his last finals tournament, and his imminent return to Swedish second division Örgryte IS suggests his best days are behind him.

    Other options
    With ten Bundesliga goals for Werder Bremen, Rosenberg has shown class, but is yet to prove his worth against top-class opponents with Sweden, or indeed show that he can complement Ibrahimović, while at 21, prolific FC Groningen scorer Markus Berg does not possess the experience that the conservative Lagerbäck would prefer. If he goes to the finals, it will be to watch and learn.

    Final foursome
    Traditionally, Lagerbäck has taken four strikers to final tournaments. For UEFA EURO 2004™ he chose Allbäck, Larsson, Ibrahimović and Mattias Johnson. For the 2006 FIFA World Cup he chose Allbäck, Larsson, Ibrahimović and Rosenberg. Exactly who he will choose to lead the line at UEFA EURO 2008™ could be the biggest question of the spring in Sweden.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,894 ✭✭✭Nunu


    I think posters bad mouthing his inclusion in the squad are missing one important point - he is not taking anyones place.

    In qualifying there are only 7 subs allowed, but in the tournament there is a 23 man squad and everyone is kitted out (12 subs).

    Anyway, how anyone can begrudge his place in the squad is beyond me? He's an absolute diamond of a player/professional - you pick your best available players, end of story.

    I think Lagerbacks treatment of an ageing Larsson the last few years has been absolutely perfect tbh.


    On his spell at Utd. He will always be fondly remembered. There are a tiny percentage of players that could do what he did - come into Utds team for a short spell and hit the ground running. He played well in every game for us and hit the wavelength of his team mates immediately. I was well impressed with him at Utd, fulfilled all my high expectations.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,224 ✭✭✭✭SantryRed


    Oh right, well that's fair enough then. I was under the impression that he was just asked back.

    Therefore, hope he does well.;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,784 ✭✭✭redzerdrog


    delighted the man is an absolute legend


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,469 ✭✭✭guinnessdrinker


    Could have great effect as an impact sub, last 20 mins of a match to purely attack.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    "I have in my team the greatest striker of the last decade. His name is Henrik Larsson"

    Samuel Eto'o

    "You should talk about the proper footballer and that is Henrik Larsson."

    Thierry Henry

    "Henrik was my idol"
    Ronaldinho.

    That basically sums up what an amazing player he has been. Im delighted to him play once again for Sweden, remember the penalty he missed in the WC (was it against Germany?), if he had scored that he would be Swedens new top goal scorer of all time, I hope he breaks that now... If Im wrong, then apologies, but Im nostalgic like that!!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,008 ✭✭✭delija_sever029


    What can man say.....LARSSON YOU ARE A LEGEND!!!!!!!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 198 ✭✭I-Bleed-White


    As a Spurs supporter and an ABU I was invited to attend the Utd. Villa game at Old Trafford when Henrik made his Utd. debut and scored. That is the only time in my life I will ever applaude and cheer a Utd. Goal. The guy is an absolute hero and can still do a job for Sweden.


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