Larsson hopes to extend Sweden career

Sweden's Henrik Larsson has not come out of international retirement just to play at Euro 2004, the striker said yesterday.

"It is my intention to stay on if I'm still playing at a high level," Larsson told reporters ahead of the final Group C match tomorrow against Denmark.

"If I'm not playing at a high level then I won't be in the national team," added Larsson, who came out of retirement in April to play for his country at the tournament.

Larsson had scored 24 goals in 73 games for Sweden before announcing his international retirement and since returning to the team he has added three more in three appearances.

The 32-year-old left Scottish champions Celtic after seven seasons at the end of the last campaign after winning four league titles. He is presently without a club for next season but wants to play somewhere sunny and has been linked with Spanish teams Villarreal and Barcelona, who are seeking a replacement for Dutchman Patrick Kluivert after saying he can leave.