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FOOTBALL

Sweden braced to take on Cup hosts

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Lagerback is hoping that the pressure will get to the Germans.

SPECIAL REPORT

COLOGNE, Germany -- Sweden hope the pressure of being World Cup hosts will get to Germany when the two nations meet in the second round on Saturday, coach Lars Lagerback said on Wednesday.

Germany won all three of their group matches, and fans across the country started to believe their team could win the trophy for a fourth time.

"It could be tough to play at home and have all these expectations," Swedish coach Lagerback told reporters.

Sweden drew their last group game 2-2 against England and finished second in Group B, setting up the game against Germany in Munich.

"Of course there will be some kind of pressure on the German team ... It could be a benefit (for Sweden)."

Striker Henrik Larsson, who scored a last-minute equalizer against England, said the players had plenty of club experience of playing in stadiums where most of the crowd was against them and knew what to expect.

"You know there's not a lot of people liking you," he said. "Obviously we're going to face that again.

Midfielder Niclas Alexandersson said Sweden would battle hard right to the end. Late goals in their group matches secured them a 1-0 win over Paraguay and the draw with England.

"We've got a very good attitude in the team and we will keep on fighting to the last minute and I think that's a strength for us and something we can take with us to the game on Saturday," he told reporters.

As for Germany's strength, that was clear enough.

"Their strength is they have 11 good players," said defender Teddy Lucic.

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