Sweden kicks off their 2008 Euro campaign on Tuesday against Greece and don’t think for a second that all eyes won’t be on the forward combination of Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Here’s something to think about when watching that game.

Zlatan hasn’t scored for Sweden since October of 2005. Ouch.

And you wonder why critics say he doesn’t show up in big matches….

 

UPDATE - The squad has been announced.

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Preliminary Sweden squad for Euro 2008: Isaksson (Man City), Shaaban (Hammarby), Wiland (Elfsborg); Nilsson (Panathinaikos), Mellberg (Aston Villa), Hansson (Rennes), Stoor (Rosenborg), Alexandersson (IFK Gothenburg), Majstorovic (Basle), Dorsin (CFR Cluj); Linderoth (Galatasaray), Ljungberg (West Ham), Svensson (Elfsborg), Granqvist (Helsingborg), Kallstrom (Lyon), S Larsson (Birmingham), Andersson (Malmo), Wilhelmsson (Deportivo de la Coruna); Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan), Elmander (Toulouse), H Larsson (Helsingborg), Allback (FC Copenhagen), Rosenberg (Werder Bremen).

Reserve: Bakircioglu (Ajax).

The Legend has returned!

Henrik Larsson has made himself available for Lars Largerback and Sweden for the 2008 Euros after being named in the 23 man squad. Larsson had retired from the national team set up after the 2006 World Cup.

The Helsingborg striker has been dominant as of late in the Swedish Allsvenskan.

The Swedish Football Association has taken a major step with the announcement of abolishing the 3 Non-EU Player limit today. Under the old rules teams had the option to sign more than three “foreigners”, but could only field three at a time in Allsvenskan, Superettan and Svenska Cup matches.

After playing in both MLS and Sweden, I can tell you first hand the foreign player limit can create huge rifts between Sportschiefs/GM’s, coaching staff and more importantly the players. Obviously the biggest worry is the development of national talent, but the opportunity for financial growth and international competition will be huge. (Think England)

[image via Football]

image via SkyRock

When purchasing Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Ajax, Fabio Capello knew the talent the young Swede had, but also  his temperament.  Since then, Zlatan has gone on to star at Inter as Capello, who won last year at Real Madrid is now the manager of England after Juventus’ drop to Serie B in 2006 .  In today’s SkySports, Ibrahimovic gives his opinion on the Don and how they used to call him The Psychologist for his ability to handle players egos.

image via That’s Fit

Feeling dumber lately?  Lethargic? Just plain old Chunky Butt McGillicutty?  Those Swedes have done it again.

image via Absolut

Vin & Spirit, owners of Absolut Vodka are expecting a major buyout bid that could be in the region of $7 BILLION.  Being a state owned company, Swedish Finance Minister Mats O’Dell is currently in charge of the 2nd largest Vodka brand in the world and looking to cash in.