Sweden focus on Greek set-pieces
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Article summary
Coach Lars Lagerbäck has identified set-pieces as Greece's biggest strength as he steps up preparations for Sweden's Group D encounter with the holders.
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Set-piece strength
Lars Lagerbäck did give a clue as to what he has had his squad working on when he addressed the media. "Greece are very good at set-pieces," Lagerbäck said. "They have several tall players and have scored many goals through headers. From now, we'll be working on set-pieces and certain facets of our game that we feel will be important against Greece."
Hansson's concern
When Greece won the final four years ago in Portugal, the winning goal was exactly the kind of header that Lagerbäck has taken note of, Angelos Charisteas rising over the home defence to head in a corner for a 1-0 victory. Petter Hansson, likely to partner Olof Mellberg in Sweden's central defence, noted: "They come forward with six or seven players on their set-pieces, which is more than most teams."
New experience
The Stade Rennais FC man is learning fast. "We've being given some information about them, and we will get more," Hansson elaborated. "The only time I've ever played a Greek side myself was several years ago in a pre-season friendly against a team from Crete." His next encounter with Greek football, at a sold-out Stadion Salzburg Wals-Siezenheim, will be a very different affair.
