Larsson strengthens Sweden's case for the defence

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2004

STOCKHOLM (AFP) — It was defensive solidity that got Sweden to Euro 2004 but it is the proven goalscoring ability of Henrik Larsson that represents their best chance of getting past the first round.

Larsson's decision to come out of international retirement for the finals has plugged the most obvious gap in Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg's squad, adding one of European football's most reliable finishers to a side that has proved fiendishly difficult to beat in recent years.

Even on home soil, Portugal were unable to do it in a recent friendly and England, who have also drawn with Swedes this year, have not managed a victory over them in 36 years.

After edging out Argentina to reach the second round of the 2002 World Cup, where they lost to Senegal, the...