Swedes planning ahead

Sweden have one eye on the future after naming a young squad for their friendly against Greece next Wednesday.

Chance for trio
Among those given a chance to impress in the selection are RC Strasbourg duo Mikael Dorsin and Pontus Farnerud, along with Tobias Linderoth of Everton FC. Dorsin, in particular, is a player that joint coaches Lars Lagerbäck and Tommy Söderberg feel is deserving of an opportunity.

Good start
“Mikael Dorsin has been in the frame throughout the season,” said Lagerbäck of the 21-year-old left-side midfield player. “He belongs to the group of players where we’ll have to judge whether 90 minutes in the Under-21s is better than perhaps no time on the pitch for the first team. He’s had a good start at his new club and we feel that it’s time for him to join up.”

Centenary celebrations
Also included in the squad are experienced pair Fredrik Ljungberg and Johan Mjällby, despite injury concerns. The match will be played at Idrottsparken in Norrköping, as part of the centenary celebrations at the stadium.

Riding high
Sweden are top of UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying Group 4, with eleven points from five games. Their next qualifier is a home match against San Marino on 6 September before travelling to Poland four days later. The Swedes then finish up their campaign on 11 October at home against Latvia.
 
Sweden squad
Hedman, Isaksson, C Andersson, Dorsin, Edman, Jakobsson, Lucic, Mellberg, Michael Svensson, Farnerud, Johansson, Källström, Linderoth, Ljungberg, Mjällby, Anders Svensson, Nilsson, Allbäck, Ibrahimovic, Jonson