Sweden Euro 2012 profile: Review of Sweden’s team, coach and more

Sweden have not failed to feature in any of the last three European Championships. However, they have a point to prove. Will they suffer yet another disappointing tournament in 2012?

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How Sweden qualified for Euro 2012

Sweden could not quite match the Netherlands during the 2012 European Championship qualifiers. They suffered a total demolition against the Dutch when both sides met in Amsterdam in October 2010. A double from Huntelaar and Afellay forced Sweden to a miserable 4-1 loss. However, with wins against Moldova, Finland and San Marino, Sweden gathered enough points to make it to Euro 2012.
They finished with 24 points from 10 games, 3 points behind group winners Holland. Consequently, Sweden reached Poland-Ukraine as best runners-up in the qualification phase.

Who is Sweden’s coach?

Former Swedish international Erik Hamren will experience his first European Championship as Sweden coach. The 54-year-old manager, who was appointed in 2009, has a few honours in his cabinet. In the late 1990s, he led AIK to clinch the Svenska Cupen at two occasions. He emulated this feat in 2000 with Orgryte IS.
During his time at AaB Fodbold, Erik Hamren won the 2008 Danish Superliga Championship. He later joined Rosenborg BK and offered the club two Norwegian Premiere League Championship titles.
During Euro 2012, the 2008 Danish Football Manager of the Year and 2009 Norwegian Football Manager of the Year is biggest challenge in his coaching career.

Who is Sweden’s key player?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic will shoulder Sweden’s responsibilities during Euro 2012 as the captain of his country’s national team. Possibilities are that he will crumble under too much pressure as football is not supposed to be a one-man team. Whether he flops or impresses, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will likely make the headlines in every match involving Sweden.

Sweden’s Euro 2012 squad

Goalkeepers: Par Hansson, Andreas Isaksson, Johan Wiland
Defenders: Mikael Antonsson, Andreas Granqvist, Mikael Lustig, Olof Mellberg, Jonas Olsson, Martin Olsson, Behrang Safari
Midfielders: Emir Bajrami, Rasmus Elm, Samuel Holmen, Kim Kallstrom, Sebastian Larsson, Anders Svensson, Pontus Wernbloom, Christian Wilhelmsson
Forwards: Johan Elmander, Tobias Hysen, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Markus Rosenberg, Ola Toivonen

Who are Sweden’s Euro 2012 group opponents?

Sweden qualified for the knock-out stages of the European Championship only once in their last three appearances. They enter their fourth straight UEFA Euro tournament with a little chance of surviving in Group D. France, England and even Ukraine could prove too hot to handle. However, football is a game of surprises.