Larsson lines up a date with Fàbregas

Still in touch
The youngest members of their countries' respective squads, 23-year-old Larsson and 21-year-old Fàbregas forged a firm friendship at Arsenal, and while they have not met up much since Larsson moved to Birmingham City FC two summers ago, they remain in touch. "We keep in touch on the phone and sometimes via text message, but we haven't been in contact since coming to the EURO," Larsson said. "When I see him on Saturday I'm definitely going to have a chat."

Fine passers
With the midfielder being a highly rated dead-ball specialist, half of Larsson's six goals in last season's Premier League came from free-kicks and he is also one of the most effective passers in the Sweden squad. Passing is a key feature too of the Spain team Sweden will meet in Innsbruck, not least their No10. "Cesc Fàbregas is an extremely gifted footballer," said Larsson. "It would be great fun to play against him."

No contest
When Sweden last tackled Spain, at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid in November, the pair did not get to face each other. Fàbregas played the full 90 minutes, while Larsson had to watch Spain cruise to a 3-0 win from his hotel room having fallen sick on the eve of the game. However, chances are high Larsson will start Saturday's match. With his rival for the right-midfield slot, Christian Wilhelmsson, out for the rest of the tournament, he is poised for a first major tournament start. "We haven't been told who'll be in the team yet," he said. "I feel I'm ready to play if the coach picks me. Hopefully, that will be the case."