Sweden
Group B | World ranking: 16 Coach: Lars Lagerback
Key Players: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (forward), Fredrik Ljungberg (midfield)
Past Record: Runners-up in 1958, third in 1994 and 1950 and fourth in 1938 Group B Results:
June 10: Trinidad & Tobago (0-0 | Report)
June 15: Paraguay (1-0 | Report)
June 20: England (2-2 | Report) Knockout Stages:
June 24: Germany (0-2 | Report) Group Summary:
A last-gasp goal by Freddie Ljungberg against Paraguay belatedly sparked Sweden's campaign into life following a labored and frustrating goalless draw with group minnows Trinidad and Tobago. A credible 2-2 draw with England -- in a match in which they had the best of the chances -- hinted that the Swedes may finally be hitting their stride, although a second round trip to Munich to face hosts Germany looks an intimidating prospect. Pre-tournament Preview:
The perennially solid Scandinavians can be expected to do battle with England for supremacy in Group B. Their crunch match on June 20 is likely to decide the group winner, though both sides would be disappointed if their progress was still at stake by then. The Swedish squad is packed with experienced players from Europe's top leagues. Up front however, they may be over-dependent on the explosive talents of Juventus's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with support from the ever-prolific Henrik Larsson. That vulnerability was exposed four years ago when, having survived a group that also included Argentina, England and Nigeria, they flopped out against Senegal in the second round. SquadGoalkeepers:
1. Andreas Isaksson (Rennes)
12. John Alvbage (Viborg)
23. Rami Shaaban (Fredrikstad) Defenders:
2. Mikael Nilsson (Panathinaikos)
3. Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa)
4. Teddy Lucic (Hacken)
5. Erik Edman (Rennes)
13. Petter Hansson (Heerenveen)
14. Fredrik Stenman (Bayer Leverkusen)
15. Karl Svensson (IFK Goteborg) Midfielders:
6. Tobias Linderoth (Copenhagen)
7. Niclas Alexandersson (IFK Goteborg)
8. Anders Svensson (Elfsborg)
9. Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal)
16. Kim Kallstrom (Rennes)
17. Johan Elmander (Brondby)
18. Mattias Jonson (Djurgarden)
19. Daniel Andersson (Malmo)
21. Christian Wilhelmsson (Anderlecht) Strikers:
10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus)
11. Henrik Larsson (Barcelona)
20. Marcus Allback (Copenhagen)
22. Markus Rosenberg (Ajax)
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