Underdog status suits Ljungberg

By Pete Sanderson in Warrington

Swedish football has a habit of churning out talented players by the name of Ljungberg, with Hanna the latest to roll off the Scandinavian production line.

Old foes
One of the world's finest female footballers, Ljungberg arrived at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ as one of the star attractions and with Sweden progressing to the last four, the striker has done nothing to harm her reputation. Having scored the opening goal of the tournament, Ljungberg is keen to add to her tally when her side face old foes Norway this evening. "It would be great to finish as the tournament's top scorer," Ljungberg told uefa.com. "But if I had to sacrifice my goals for a winner's medal I would quite happily do that."

Negative play
Although the Swedes have yet to lose in England, their performances in the early stages were not as warmly received back home as the players might have liked. "We're too negative," bellowed one Swedish paper while others criticised the lack of conviction in front of goal.

Superb defence
"We won the group but we know we can play better and score more goals," said Ljungberg. "I think that is what the media are complaining about. But if you look at it from a different angle, we have played superbly in defence and only conceded one goal in three games. Our defensive game has been good but maybe we have something to prove offensively."

Injury problems
Ljungberg is no stranger to success having captured two UEFA Women's Cups with Umeå IK and been voted Swedish women's Footballer of the Year in 2002. A serious injury earlier this year threatened to ruin her UEFA European Women's Championship, but she has recovered to play all three matches so far.

Tight game
"I have been fairly happy with my form and feel I am in good shape," she said. "I think we have got better as the tournament has progressed and we can take that form to a new level against Norway. But playing them is like playing our sisters so it will be a tight game - that's why we have been practising penalties. But hopefully we will still be here for the final on Sunday and the game won't come to that."

Tournament underdogs
Although Sweden started as one of the favourites to lift the trophy alongside Germany, Ljungberg thinks her team are the outsiders going into the semi-final in Warrington. "All the pressure is on Norway ahead of this game," said the striker who has scored more than 50 goals in over a century of caps. "They have the better record against us and are expected to make all the play, but I think we will respond well as underdogs. We know we can beat them. It is going to be a tough game but hopefully we will come out on top."

'Strong side'
Should the Swedes topple Norway tonight, Ljungberg is keen to exact revenge on Germany, having played in the 2001 European Championship and 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup finals – two matches Sweden lost to the Germans. "I don't like to look beyond the Norway game, but if we end up playing Germany in the final it would be a great chance to get revenge." She added: "They are a strong side but I think we owe them a defeat or two." Doubtless Sweden's goal machine would love to play a part in their downfall too.