Lagerback rings changes in defence in Sweden's World Cup squad
Juventus's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Barcelona's Henrik Larsson were named among six strikers in Sweden's World Cup squad yesterday while right back Alexander Ostlund was dropped in a defensive shake-up. Ostlund, who plays for Southampton, was heavily...
Juventus's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Barcelona's Henrik Larsson were named among six strikers in Sweden's World Cup squad yesterday while right back Alexander Ostlund was dropped in a defensive shake-up.
Ostlund, who plays for Southampton, was heavily criticised after Sweden lost 3-0 to Ireland in a friendly in March.
Lars Lagerback brought in IFK Gothenburg's Karl Svensson and Fredrik Stenman who has had a strong first season with Bayer Leverkusen but never played for Sweden.
Another surprise was Fredriksborg's Rami Shaaban as one of three goalkeepers, with Eddie Gustafsson of Ham-Kam left out.
Shaaban played three games for Arsenal in 2002 before breaking his leg during training later that year and he never played for the London side again.
Sweden are in Group B with Paraguay, England and Trinidad and Tobago at the finals starting on June 9.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: Isaksson (Rennes), Alvbage (Viborg), Shaaban (Fredrikstad).
Defenders: Edman (S. Rennes), Hansson (Heerenveen), Lucic (BK Hacken), Mellberg (Aston Villa), K. Svensson (IFK Gothenburg), Nilsson (Panathinaikos), Stenman (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielders: Andersson (Malmo), Alexandersson (IFK Gothenburg), Kallstrom (S. Rennes), Linderoth (FC Copenhagen), Wilhelmsson (Anderlecht), A. Svensson (Elfsborg), Ljungberg (Arsenal)
Forwards: Allback (FC Copenhagen), Elmander (Brondby), Ibrahimovic (Juventus), Jonson (Djurgarden), Larsson (Barcelona), Rosenberg (Ajax).