| SWEDEN
Best finals record:
Semi-finals 1992
Qualification record:
Won Group Five
|
Kennet Andersson
|
Coaches: Tommy Soderberg, Lars Lagerback
Squad:
Magnus Hedman,
Mattias Asper, Magnus Kihlstedt, Roland Nilsson, Patrik Andersson, Joachim Bjorklund, Teddy Lucic, Tomas Gustafsson, Olof Mellberg, Gary Sundgren, Niclas Alexandersson, Johan Mjallby, Anders Andersson, Fredrik Ljungberg, Magnus Svensson, Daniel Andersson, Hakan Mild, Henrik Larsson, Kennet Andersson, Yksel Osmanovski, Jorgen Pettersson, Marcus Allback.
Prospects
Considering the ease with which Sweden qualified for this year's finals it's remarkable to look back at their European Championship record.
The only time they've played in the finals before was in 1992 - and that was when they were the hosts.
That year they reached the semi-finals with Tomas Brolin's wonder-goal seeing off England.
They scaled an even higher peak two years later when they reached the last four of the World Cup in the United States but they've had a lean period since.
There was no fluke about their qualification this time - and it was the defence on which their success was built as they conceded just the one goal in eight qualifying games.
The problem is that they only scored 10 goals at the other end - and to put that into perspective even England scored four more in the same group.
It seems churlish to quibble with a record of seven wins and one draw from their eight games but coach Tommy Soderberg needs to make his side a more attacking force if they are to succeed at the next level.
Their chances certainly haven't been helped by the almost certain absence of Celtic's Henrik Larsson.
The horrific leg injury he sustained in the UEFA Cup against Lyon means the Swedes will be without their top scorer from the qualifiers.
He bagged three goals while Bhoys team-mate Johan Mjallby and Sheffield Wednesday's Niclas Alexandersson both contributed two each.
It all means that Soderberg will be looking to the likes of Arsenal star Fredrik Ljungberg to star in midfield and get into goalscoring positions as often as possible.
Up front, many of Sweden's hopes rest on the shoulders of Kennet Andersson.
As far as Sweden's club sides are concerned, this has been a relatively disappointing season with IFK Gothenburg, Helsingborgs and AIK Solna all making early exits from Europe.
But with the majority of Sweden's key players plying their trade abroad there should be plenty of optimism heading into the finals.
There's a decent blend of youth and experience and if they can discover a greater cutting edge they could prove a difficult side to beat.