Sweden coach Erik Hamrén declared that there was "positive and negative news" on the injury front as he announced his final squad of 23 players for UEFA EURO 2012.
On-loan Feyenoord forward John Guidetti has been ruled out through injury
Sweden coach Erik Hamrén has announced his 23-man squad for UEFA EURO 2012 in the wake of some mixed injury news.
While Johan Elmander is expected to recover from a fracture to his right foot, John Guidetti's hopes of reproducing his glittering Feyenoord form on the international stage this summer are over due to an inflamed nerve in a calf muscle. Markus Rosenberg will deputise, the 29-year-old returning to end a three-year absence from the national team.
West Bromwich Albion FC defender Jonas Olsson is in line to make his maiden appearance at a major international tournament, meanwhile. The 29-year-old has blossomed under the stewardship of new England manager Roy Hodgson this season and was delighted to have been given the chance to add to his six international caps. "I'm very happy of course," he said. "It is a childhood dream to get to play a major tournament."
Overall, Hamrén has plumped for a blend of youth and experience, with some familiar faces completing the lineup. Olympiacos FC's Olof Melberg is set for his fourth UEFA European Championship, while Anders Svensson, Kim Källström, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Andreas Isaksson and Christian Wilhelmsson will complete a hat-trick of appearances.
Sweden open their Group D campaign against Ukraine in Kyiv on 11 June before facing England four days later and France on 19 June. "It will be an exciting challenge," said Hamrén. "It is a tough and uncertain group. We could play three really good matches and still not progress. Our first ambition is to qualify for a quarter-final. But if we do, we will not start celebrating. We dream of medals."
Final squad
Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson (PSV Eindhoven), Johan Wiland (FC København), Pär Hansson (Helsingborgs IF).
Defenders: Mikael Antonsson (Bologna FC), Andreas Granqvist (Genoa CFC), Olof Mellberg (Olympiacos FC), Jonas Olsson (West Bromwich Albion FC), Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers FC), Behrang Safari (RSC Anderlecht), Mikael Lustig (Celtic FC).
Midfielders: Emir Bajrami (FC Twente), Rasmus Elm (AZ Alkmaar), Samuel Holmén (İstanbul BB SK), Kim Källström (Olympique Lyonnais), Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland AFC), Anders Svensson (IF Elfsborg), Pontus Wernbloom (PFC CSKA Moskva), Christian Wilhelmsson (Al-Hilal FC).
Forwards: Johan Elmander (Galatasaray AŞ), Tobias Hysén (IFK Göteborg), Zlatan Ibrahimović (AC Milan), Markus Rosenberg (SV Werder Bremen), Ola Toivonen (PSV Eindhoven).
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The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments
Year | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Spain | Germany | Russia / Turkey |
2004 | Greece | Portugal | Netherlands / Czech Republic |
2000 | France | Italy | Netherlands / Portugal |
1996 | Germany | Czech Republic | France / England |
1992 | Denmark | Germany | Netherlands / Sweden |
1988 | Netherlands | Soviet Union | Italy / West Germany |
1984 | France | Spain | Denmark / Portugal |
1980 | West Germany | Belgium | Czechoslovakia |
1976 | Czechoslovakia | West Germany | Netherlands |
1972 | West Germany | Soviet Union | Belgium |
1968 | Italy | Yugoslavia | England |
1964 | Spain | Soviet Union | Hungary |
1960 | Soviet Union | Yugoslavia | Czechoslovakia |