Alexandersson will captain Sweden

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STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Veteran midfield player Niclas Alexandersson will captain Sweden in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Iceland in Reykjavik, the Swedish FA said on Tuesday.

He takes over from Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg who has been ruled out of the match after injurying his calf in Sunday's 2-0 win over Spain in Stockholm.

FC Copenhagen's Tobias Linderoth usually leads Sweden when Ljungberg is absent but the defensive midfielder is also likely to miss the tie as his wife is expecting a baby in the next few days.

Alexandersson, who turns 35 this year, has played for Swedish first division club IFK Gothenburg since 2004 after spells with English Premier League clubs Everton and West Ham.

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