Sweden v Bulgaria - PREVIEW
Swedes count on dream team
Henrik Larsson believes his new strike partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ready to be put to the test in Sweden's Euro opener against Bulgaria on Monday.
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| Combo of two recent pictures showing Leverkusen's Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov (L) and Swedish striker Henrik Larsson. Sweden will play Bulgaria in their first game of the Euro 2004 European Nations football Championship 14 June 2004 in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO |
Larsson's late decision to come out of international retirement for the tournament has transformed the prospects of a Swedish team which clinched its place in Portugal largely on the strength of its rock solid defence.
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| Swedish forward Henrik Larsson shelters his head from the sun during training at Estoril Stadium in Lisbon 12 June 2004. In the background right back Alexander Ostlund of Hammarby. Sweden is in Euro 2004 Group C with Bulgaria, Denmark and Italy. Swedens first game is against Bulgaria in Lisbon Monday 14 June. AFP PHOTO /PRESSENS BILD/JONAS EKSTROMER |
The prospect of the former Celtic hitman linking up with Ajax's Ibrahimovic will make Sweden one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament going forward.
The unknown factor however is the extent to which Larsson and Ibrahimovic's partnership will match up to the sum of their individual talents.
"We have had a fantastic time so far in Portugal and everything is looking good," says Larsson.
"We've learnt more about each other both on and off the pitch, which is very important."
Ibrahimovic warned that there was more to Sweden than their big name strikers.
"We've got a lot of individually skilful players but Sweden have always been about the team and that has not changed," he said.
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| Bulgarian forwards Valeri Bojinov (R) and Martin Petrov (L) listen to journalists questions during a news conference at their team's base in Povoa de Varzim, 10 June 2004, ahead of the 2004 European Nations Championship. Bulgaria will play its opening game at the Euro 2004 vs Sweden 14 June. |
Bulgaria's build-up to the match has been overshadowed by fears key midfielder Martin Petrov could be ruled out with a muscle strain in his left leg.
"I will try everything to be fit and I am ready to play even if it is painful," Petrov said. "But if there is a big risk for me, I will sit out the opening game."
Although Bulgaria are regarded as one of the rank outsiders here, the sole survivor of their 1994 squad, Daniel Borimorov believes they are capable of repeating the success of the Hristo Stoichkov generation.
"The two sides, that of 1994 and this one are pretty similar," said Borimorov, adding that low expectations could have a liberating effect on the current team. "We don't have any pressure on us, we are calm, which is an advantage."
Teams
Sweden: Isaksson - Lucic, Mellberg (capt), Jakobsson, Edman - Linderoth - Nilsson, A. Svensson, Ljungberg - Larsson, Ibrahimovic
Coaches: Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg
Bulgaria: Zdravkov - V. Ivanov, Kirilov, Pajin, I. Petkov - Peev, S. Petrov (cap), Hristov, M. Petrov - Jankovich - Berbatov
Coach: Plamen Markov
Referee: Mike Riley (ANG)