Ibrahimović eager to enjoy 'big magic' in France

"What can you say?" said Sweden coach Erik Hamrén after watching Zlatan Ibrahimović score twice in the play-off second leg against Denmark to take his side to UEFA EURO 2016. "He is like family, and I love him."

Many Sweden and Paris Saint-Germain fans will have similar feelings, and will share Hamrén's delight that Ibrahimović will be gracing next summer's finals in France. The 34-year-old striker is excited about it too. "It's going to be magic, big magic," he said. "It means everything. I play in France and I am coming with my national team to play the European Championship."

Ibrahimović will have an additional spur to do his best at UEFA EURO 2016, well aware that he is nearing the end of his playing career. "It is probably going to be my last tournament with the national team," he noted, noting that his advancing age had given this latest achievement an extra significance. "For an older player, it feels quite good."

The striker scored three of Sweden's play-off goals in addition to the eight he registered in qualifying, taking his tally to 11 for the tournament – well over half of his team's combined total of 19. Much was made before the play-offs of the fact that he had never scored against Denmark, but Ibrahimović was pleased to have silenced any detractors.

"I'm very pleased, because before the two play-off games, people talked about the fact that we were not able to beat Denmark and all these kinds of things, but we made it," he said. "We are very happy, very satisfied. We did fantastic in both matches. The Danes had a lot of possession, but we were more efficient."

However, he expects even tougher challenges at UEFA EURO 2016, with Sweden guaranteed two group stage games against higher-ranked teams after being assigned to pot 3 for the finals draw on 12 December. "It is going to be difficult," Ibrahimović reckoned. "There are many good nations participating. Anything can happen in such a tournament."