Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said last year’s World Cup was not worth watching without him and hopes history does not repeat itself when they play Denmark for a place at Euro 2016.
The Scandinavian derby is one of four two-legged play-offs to fill the final four places for next year’s expanded 24-team tournament in France.
Norway and Hungary got the ball rolling in Oslo last night with Bosnia hosting Ireland in Zenica today.
Tomorrow, Ukraine host Slovenia in Lviv and Sweden take on the Danes in Stockholm.
The 34-year-old Ibrahimovic, still the Swedes’ most potent weapon, was named his country’s Footballer of the Year for the 10th time on Monday, fulfilling a promise he made last year to collect the prize again.
“I don’t know if I can promise the same thing for next year,” said Ibrahimovic, who could play at next year’s Olympics as an over-age player.
The play-offs could be the last matches in charge for opposing coaches Erik Hamren and Morten Olsen.
Having missed out on qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil, Sweden’s Hamren is unlikely to continue if they go out while Olsen will definitely step down when Denmark’s interest ends.
Both teams have seen their midfield ranks depleted by injuries, with the Danes losing Pione Sisto and Leon Andreasen, while Sweden are without Albin Ekdal and Pontus Wernbloom.
Bosnia’s hopes of reaching the finals have been boosted by the return of top scorer Edin Dzeko who missed their final two group-stage qualifiers with a knee injury.
“Our key players are in good form and this is one of the reasons we are very optimistic,” coach Mehmed Bazdarevic told Bosnian media.
Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has injury and suspension problems to overcome.
Defender John O’Shea and midfielder Jonathan Walters are banned, although both are eligible for the return in Dublin, while striker Shane Long and goalkeeper Rob Elliot are battling to be fit.
Rematch
Ukraine’s clash with Slovenia is a rematch of the Euro 2000 play-off which the Slovenians won 3-2 on aggregate to reach their first major tournament as an independent nation.
Slovenia secured a play-off spot after finishing third behind England and Switzerland in Group E and will look to 36-year old striker Milivoje Novakovic, who bagged six goals in qualifying, to carry the attack to a Ukraine side without injured influential midfielder Ruslan Rotan for both legs.
Ukraine coach Mykhaylo Fomenko also has to fill another gap in midfield with Taras Stepanenko banned for the first leg, along with full-back Olexandr Kucher.
Fixtures
Played yesterday
Norway vs Hungary - 0-1
Second leg – Sunday, Nov. 15
Today
Bosnia vs Ireland - 20.45
Second leg – Monday, Nov. 16
Tomorrow
Ukraine vs Slovenia - 18.00
Sweden vs Denmark - 20.45
Second leg – Tuesday, Nov. 17