Sweden
How'd they get here: Advanced automatically as the best runner-up in the qualifying group stage
Last Appearance: Euro 2008
Best Appearance: Euro 1992 (Semi-finals)
Schedule:
June
11 vs Ukraine
June
15 vs England
June
19 vs France
The Story:
Sweden's success in this tournament will most likely rise and fall based on their star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic's form and knowing Zlatan (as well as someone who follows his career through the media can know someone), he wouldn't have it any other way. Sweden comes into this tournament as one of the unknowns because of their aging but experienced side that has been fairly inconsistent as of late. Head coach Erik Hamrén will employ an attacking 4-3-3 formation with this team that will look to stretch opposing teams therefore creating spaces for the talented attacking players this team possesses.
Much like Croatia, the problem with this Swedish team is on the defensive end of the ball as the back four will be anchored by 34 year old former Aston Villa player Olof Mellberg and 35 year old Celtic defender Daniel Majstorović. If the other Group D members can exploit what looks to be the weakest point of this Sweden team, the Swedes could be in for a long tournament. In attack Sweden looks to be as talented as its Group D counterparts with a young midfield core led by Sebastian Larsson (scored a couple of screamers for Sunderland this season) hoping to provide service to Johann Elmander and Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front.
