Swedish spirit intact, says Lucic

After a disappointing start to their FIFA World Cup campaign against Trinidad and Tobago, defender Teddy Lucic believes Sweden are ready to get back on course against Paraguay on Thursday.

The Swedes・ first Group B game was a tale of frustration as they failed to break down a Trinidad and Tobago team reduced to ten men for virtually the entire second half. If the Dortmund stalemate put a dent in Swedish ambitions then a subsequent dressing-room dispute between captain Olof Mellberg and midfielder Freddie Ljungberg also generated some negative headlines.

However, Lucic stresses that the Swedes・ renowned harmony is intact and has urged his team-mates to produce a show of unity and strength against Paraguay in Berlin. Speaking to FIFAworldcup.com, the 33-year-old said the team had put Saturday・s events behind them: ：We・ve spoken about it the day after the game but it・s behind us and we have to concentrate on the Paraguay game and not think about that.

：We have to unite as a team, show our strength and play well. Sometimes a discussion is good. You have to talk between team-mates and what happened in the game is like that. Hopefully we can take something positive from it.

：It was not really our best game but I think we had six, seven, eight good chances and they had just one or two shots on our goal. I would say we played quite well but we didn・t score.；

Three points here in Berlin would leave Sweden strongly placed to qualify for the second round. Paraguay sit bottom of Group B after losing to England, so a Swedish victory here would put them out of the South Americans・ reach before their final group game against Sven-Goran Eriksson・s side.

：Paraguay is very, very important,； said Lucic. ：We cannot afford to lose the game. If we draw, we have it in our own hands in the last game. It also depends on how England play against Trinidad too but I think they have a slightly better team than Trinidad (smiles). I hope we win so it・s easier going into the England game.；

Lucic is a veteran of two previous Swedish FIFA World Cup campaigns. Together with Henrik Larsson he was in the squad which reached the semi-finals at USA 94 (albeit without making a single appearance) and appeared in all four matches as they reached the second round in Korea/Japan four years ago.

He will earn his 83rd cap against Paraguay and is looking forward to the challenge of facing the South Americans・ front pair of Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Valdez. ：I played for a year and a half here in Germany (with Bayer Leverkusen) so I know quite a lot about them,； said Lucic, who is now based back in Sweden with Hacken.

：Roque Santa Cruz plays for Bayern Munich and to play there you have to be good. He・s a danger, very good in the air. The other is more a threat with the feet. We know the Paraguayans like to play quick football and they have a few players with really good technique.；

Paraguay will provide a test undoubtedly but the steady Lucic and his team-mates are ready for it.