Ibrahimović's mind wanders to summer glory
Saturday, April 7, 2012
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Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimović looks forward to UEFA EURO 2012 and says "in my head I have the trophy in my hands", while Kim Källström is sure his team have "learnt from our mistakes".
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Sweden's talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimović is already dreaming of holding aloft the UEFA EURO 2012 trophy.
Sweden were eliminated at the group stage of UEFA EURO 2008 and then failed to reach the FIFA World Cup in South Africa two years ago. They have bounced back in impressive fashion under the stewardship of Erik Hamrén, however, qualifying for this summer's finals as best runners-up; confidence is high.
"In my head I have the trophy in my hands, but that is inside my head, that's the difference," said Ibrahimović, who has struck 23 Serie A goals for AC Milan this season. "We will go out on the pitch and try to make it difficult for everyone else. We are going to fight to get on the podium. That is what you want, that is why you are there. If you don't want that, you shouldn't be there."
Another of Sweden's standard-bearers during qualifying, meanwhile, was Olympique Lyonnais' Kim Källström. The 29-year-old featured in all ten Group E fixtures, a sign of a settled and balanced side which he believes has become integral to their success. "I think we have learnt from our mistakes, and found a playing style that suits the qualities we've got, which means we can get results together," he said.
To hear more from Ibrahimović and Källström, view the video above.