World Cup Team Preview - Sweden

World Cup Group: Group B

Pooled in Group Eight of European Qualifying, the Swedes gained automatic entry into the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany after being one of the two highest scoring second placed teams.

While they flogged minnows Malta and Iceland twice, they were founds wanting in tight games to Croatia, losing both by the score of 0-1. The talented Hungary side, were their other main rival. Sweden poured on the goals n the lead up scoring a total of 30 and only leaking four. A good result for any team, and look set to take on all comers at the World Cup.

The Swedes are pooled in a group that they should not only get out of, but win. While games against Trinidad and Tobago and Paraguay are considered easy, it will be the final game against traditional rivals England that will determine which team goes the further.

While it is widely considered that the England team are much better all over the park, they have a failure rate against the Swede’s that is the equivalant of a soccer hoodoo. England try as they might just can not put Sweden away. They haven’t for the last 30 years and it would be folly to suggest they will now. England fear Sweden. Sweden love to play England.

If they do win their group the Swedes will go all the way to the semi-finals, and run into either Spain or Brazil. The Swedes have been to that stage three times. The most recent in 1994.

Players to Watch

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The Juventus marksman is undoubtedly one of the premier strikers of the World Game today. Ibrahimovic is a powerful man, who can throw his frame around aggressively to make the ball his own, and as such is as formidable in the air, as any other player today. He was Sweden’s top scorer in qualifying with eight goals and should be dominant again.

However while possessing this skill, the big man also has great skills onm the ball and possesses a powerful and deadly shot. He is the main weapon for the Swedes, and will hopefully keep his famous temper in check. If he does so, Sweden will be a team to reckon with and Ibrahimovic a Golden Boot candidate.

Anders Svensson: Svensson was once considered to be the Swedish equivalent of David Beckham, a dead ball specialist, and a gun creator in the midfield, his form has slipped in recent times, probably couples with a move away from the lofty heights of the Premier League, but if he can show his best then he will make Ibrahimovic and Larsson even more deadly.

Henrik Larsson: This man has done everything, he has won countless club championships. First with Glasgow Celtic, in a long and famous run, and now with Barcelona. He won Barca the Champions League title this season, with a typically well timed strike.

A noted penalty taker who is a great foil for Ibrahimovic, he is also great with the ball. The man who could make it all happen for the Swedes.

Prediction - Semi Finalists

Win v Trinidad and Tobago
Win v Paraguay
Win v England

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