Sweden squad penpix for Euro 2008:
Andreas Isaksson (Manchester City). Goalkeeper. Born: 3.10.81 Caps: 55 Goals: 0
Has delivered some world-class performances as first-choice keeper. Instrumental in Sweden surviving the Euro 2004 group stage and prevented a 2-0 second round loss to Germany at the 2006 World Cup from turning into a rout. Has hardly played for Manchester City's first team this season, though.
Rami Shaaban (Hammarby). Goalkeeper. Born: 30.6.75 Caps: 15 Goals: 0
The former Arsenal keeper returned to the Swedish league this year, joining Hammarby after two successful years with Norwegian side Fredrikstad. Became Sweden's second choice during the 2006 World Cup where he played instead of Isaksson in their opening group match against Trinidad & Tobago.
Johan Wiland (Elfsborg). Goalkeeper. Born: 24.1.81 Caps: 3 Goals: 0
Calm, composed with great reflexes but somewhat weaker in the air, Wiland is strictly seen as a back-up for Isaksson and Shaaban. Made his debut for Elfsborg in 2001 and has been their first choice ever since.
Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa). Defender. Born: 3.9.77 Caps: 81 Goals: 4
Sweden and Aston Villa's former captain mostly plays right back in the Premier League but in central defence for Sweden. Not technically brilliant but compensates with toughness and physical strength. Will join Juventus in the Serie A next season.
Petter Hansson (Stade Rennes). Defender. Born: 14.12.76 Caps: 31 Goals: 1
After years on the subs bench, established himself as a centre back alongside Mellberg when Teddy Lucic retired from the national team in 2006. Shone in Sweden's crucial qualifying win over Spain at home in Stockholm.
Daniel Majstorovic (FC Basel). Defender. Born: 5.4.77 Caps: 15 Goals: 1
This no-nonsense centre-half helped Basel reach the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in 2006, where they lost to eventual finalists Middlesbrough. Has a fine goalscoring record as a defender for the Swiss side and makes regular substitute appearances for Sweden, but has yet to play in a major tournament. Recently signed a three-year contract to joins AEK Athens in the Greek first division.
Mikael Nilsson (Panathinaikos). Defender. Born: 24.6.78 Caps: 46 Goals: 3
Versatile, able to play as either a defender or midfielder at Euro 2008. Is expected to take over from Erik Edman at left back after the Wigan Athletic player suffered a bad knee injury earlier this season.
Mikael Dorsin (CFR Cluj). Defender. Born: 6.10.81 Caps: 12 Goals: 0
A contender for a substitute spot at left back, Dorsin has pace and technique but is an inconsistent performer. Joined Romanian side CFR Cluj during January's transfer window after three and a half seasons with Norway's Rosenborg Trondheim.
Niclas Alexandersson (IFK Gothenburg). Defender. Born: 29.12.71 Caps: 107 Goals: 7
Made his national team debut back in 1993 and will take part in his fourth major tournament. Has featured both as defender and midfielder on the right but is not very adept at attacking football and has lost some of his pace.
Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborg). Defender. Born: 16.4.85 Caps: 3 Goals: 0
One of Sweden's up-and-coming central defenders. Played 16 matches for Wigan Athletic in the Premier League this season but opted to return to Swedish club Helsingborg on loan in March.
Fredrik Stoor (Rosenborg Trondheim). Defender. Born: 28.2.84 Caps: 4 Goals: 0
Has played in three of Sweden's four friendlies this year. Put in a solid performance at right back in the 1-0 friendly loss to Brazil in March, where he played the entire match.
Tobias Linderoth (Galatasaray). Midfielder. Born: 21.4.79 Caps: 74 Goals: 2
Sweden's defensive rock in midfield is battling to recover from a hip injury. An inexhaustible workhorse and a good reader of the game, Linderoth joined Galatasaray in 2007 after winning the Danish Superleague twice with FC Copenhagen.
Daniel Andersson (Malmo). Midfielder. Born: 28.8.77 Caps: 62 Goals: 0
Was part of the squad in Euro 2000 and the 2002 and 2006 World Cups but rarely gets to play important matches as he is a second choice behind Linderoth. Skilful but lacks pace. Brother Patrik captained Sweden for several years before retiring and father Roy played for Sweden in the 1978 World Cup.
Anders Svensson (Elfsborg). Midfielder. Born: 17.7.76 Caps: 89 Goals: 15
Inconsistent but technically gifted, Svensson has had both miserable and brilliant moments for his country. Recovered from a poor 2006 World Cup to play 11 matches in Sweden's Euro qualifying campaign, scoring twice. Shone in Sweden's 1-0 friendly loss to Brazil in London in March.
Kim Kallstrom (Olympique Lyon). Midfielder. Born: 24.8.82 Caps: 54 Goals: 8
Despite being a first choice at France's top club, coach Lars Lagerback still tends to favour Svensson in the attacking midfield role. Kallstrom provides excellent long balls and free kicks but lacks Svensson's defensive skills.
Christian Wilhelmsson (Deportivo La Coruna). Midfielder. Born: 8.12.79 Caps: 50 Goals: 4
A fine dribbler with great pace who got his Sweden breakthrough at Euro 2004. Can play on either flank. Has had spells at AS Roma, Bolton Wanderers and Nantes.
Fredrik Ljungberg (West Ham United). Midfielder. Born: 16.4.77 Caps: 71 Goals: 14
Sweden's first choice in left midfield joined West Ham in 2007 after nine successful years with Arsenal. Replaced Mellberg as captain after the 2006 World Cup. Has battled several injuries over the years and is probably past his prime at club level, but rarely has a bad game for Sweden.
Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham City). Midfielder. Born: 6.6.85 Caps: 3 Goals:0
One for the future, he made his Sweden debut this year against Turkey and then impressed in the friendly loss to Brazil in March. Came up through the youth ranks at Arsenal and joined Birmingham City in 2006, initially on loan.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan). Forward. Born: 3.10.81 Caps: 49 Goals: 18
Missed large parts of qualifying and has not scored for Sweden since a World Cup qualifier win over Iceland in October 2005. He scored 17 goals in an injury-hit Serie A season, including both goals in a 2-0 win over Parma which wrapped up the title for his club and will raise hopes at Euro 2008.
Johan Elmander (Toulouse). Forward. Born: 27.5.81 Caps: 34 Goals: 11
Tall, technically proficient and physically strong, Elmander is good as both a finisher and a goal-provider. Got his Sweden breakthrough during qualifying, establishing himself alongside Ibrahimovic, a partnership yet to live up to its potential.
Marcus Allback (FC Copenhagen). Forward. Born: 5.7.73 Caps: 72 Goals: 30
Was a first-choice striker for several years but now has to settle for a substitute's role. Still reliable despite his age, he impressed against Paraguay and England in the 2006 World Cup. Will return to his old Swedish first division club Orgryte after Euro 2008.
Markus Rosenberg (Werder Bremen). Forward. Born: 27.9.82 Caps: 21 Goals: 6
Will struggle to make the starting line-up, despite being a regular with Werder Bremen. In a 2007 qualifier with Denmark he was punched in the stomach by Christian Poulsen. The incident sparked chaos as the referee awarded a penalty and was assaulted by a fan invading the pitch. The match was called off as a result and Sweden were later awarded a 3-0 win by UEFA.
Henrik Larsson (Helsingborg). Forward. Born: 20.9.71 Caps: 94 Goals: 36
One of Sweden's all-time greats. Comes out of national team retirement for the third time to play his sixth tournament, having started out at the 1994 World Cup, where Sweden finished third. Has proved he is a world-class player with Barcelona, Celtic and Manchester United. Sweden's top scorer at Euro 2004.
(Compiled by Oliver Grassman; editing by Trevor Huggins)
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