Sweden Team Tactics

copy from UEFA EURO 2004 Lars Lagerbäck and Tommy Söderberg keep very much to the traditional Swedish mould of a good unit playing and working hard for each other.

Creative wingers
Ever since they took over the at the helm seven years ago they have employed 4-4-2, and we will see the same formation during UEFA EURO 2004™. With two very creative wingers Sweden will no doubt use the flanks to get the ball into the attackers.

Svensson blow
Andreas Isaksson will get the nod in goal after impressing since taking over from Magnus Hedman, who provides cover with Magnus Kihlstedt. The defence, that has been solid as a rock during the qualifying rounds, will be led by team captain Olof Mellberg. The loss of Michael Svensson through injury is a huge blow and Andreas Jakobsson will slot in. The central defenders will be joined by Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Teddy Lucic on the right and SC Heerenveen's Erik Edman on the left.

Midfield options
In midfield Tobias Linderoth will probably fill the defensive midfield role, with Pontus Farnerud or Johan Mjällby providing cover. The central, attacking midfield role, will probably be handed to Kim Källström. Southampton FC's Anders Svensson is also in the running and Lagerbäck and Söderberg might opt for Svensson¡¦s experience.

Wide flair
The right midfield slot is earmarked for Arsenal FC's Fredrik Ljungberg whilst the left midfield slot will probably be filled by the in-form Christian Wilhelmsson of RSC Anderlecht. Halmstads BK¡¦s Mikael Nilsson is first choice cover on both flanks.

Larsson back
Just a month ago Sweden had problems up front. AFC Ajax¡¦s Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the only certain starter with Marcus Allbäck of Aston Villa FC and Bröndby IF's Mattias Jonsson struggling with injuries. The U-turn made by Celtic FC¡¦s prolific striker Henrik Larsson was thus a dream come true for the coaches, while Allbäck has returned to form to provide reliable cover. With Ibrahimovic and Larsson up front, a Swedish team that looked hard to beat now has real menace.

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