Sweden has made eleven World Cup appearances and four appearances in the European Championships. They finished second in the 1958 World Cup, and third in both 1950 and 1994. Sweden's accomplishments also include a gold medal in the 1948 Summer Olympics, and bronze medals in 1924 and 1952. They reached the semi-finals in UEFA Euro 1992.
Traditionally, Sweden are rivals with Denmark and Norway, although other rivalries have developed over the years. Sweden failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in the group qualification stage, having been edged out by Portugal. As a result, team manager Lars Lagerbäck quit and Erik Hamrén was appointed the new manager. Sweden's captain is Zlatan Ibrahimovic with Anders Svensson as vice captain.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Sweden started their campaign strongly, scoring eight goals in their opening two games without conceding once.
A 4-1 humbling at the feet of the Netherlands soon brought the Scandinavians back to earth, though, but Erik Hamren's men learned their lesson well and the wins soon picked up again.
A hefty 4-1 victory away to Moldova followed, preceding the 5-0 thumping of neighbours Finland, letting Group E know that the Swedes were not taking qualification lightly.
A 2-1 loss to Hungary proved a mere hiccup in the second half of fixtures, as the wins continued until the final match where the Swedes exacted a 3-2 revenge win over the Netherlands at the Rasunda Stadium to put second place beyond doubt and end Holland's 17-game winning spree in qualification matches.
PAST RECORD IN THE EUROS
1960 Did not enter 1988 Did not qualify
1964 Did not qualify 1992 Semi final
1968 Did not qualify 1996 Did not qualify
1972 Did not qualify 2000 Group stage
1976 Did not qualify 2004 Quarter final
1980 Did not qualify 2008 Group stage
1984 Did not qualify 2012 Qualified as best runner-up
The first time Sweden made it to a European Championship was 1992 – due to the fact they were host country for the event.
Having never made it to the competition before, many were excused for writing the Swedes off before the tournament started, but it would turn out to be their most successful run in the competition as they reached the semi-finals in the eight-team contest. Former Parma and Leeds United attacker Tomas Brolin was amongst the top scorers.
In 2004, Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined national hero Henrik Larsson at the head of Sweden's attack for the Euros, providing one of the more potent strike forces in the competition. However, what would turn out to be their second best ever run came to an end at the hands of the Netherlands, who ousted the Swedes in the quarter finals on penalties.