Lennartsson seeking just deserts

Sweden's joint-coach Jörgen Lennartsson says the UEFA European Under-21 Championship hosts will not make a meal of England in the first semi-final of the 2009 competition in Gothenburg, explaining: "We're looking at this tournament as three courses."

Three-course meal
Emphatic wins against Belarus and Serbia, either side of a defeat by Italy, took Lennartsson and Tommy Söderberg's squad into the last four as Group A runners-up, and the coach was in expansive mood ahead of the meeting with England at the Gamla Ullevi. "We've had our appetiser and we are just about to finish our main course. Hopefully we will be able to enjoy the dessert too, along with a cappuccino and a brandy." Lennartsson swiftly became more serious, explaining: "Mentally we feel good. We'll work hard to reach the final but it will be a tough game against a very strong England team."

'Full of confidence'
Sweden are bidding to become the second successive nation to win the U21 title on home soil following the Netherlands' triumph two years ago, but their task has been made significantly harder by suspensions to midfielders Pontus Wernbloom and Emir Bajrami. "England have a really good team; most play Premier League football and that's the best league in the world," said Lennartsson, whose own side have conceded from dead-ball situations in their last two games. "Our players are full of confidence and we have more to give than we have shown so far. We've talked about set-pieces and we know we must do better. We talk a lot about being humble and keeping our feet on the ground. We know why we've been successful so far and what we need to do to keep being successful."

'Semi-final barrier'
Stuart Pearce's England side lost at this stage to the Netherlands two years ago, and the manager believes his squad – which includes four of that 2007 party, while five other players have been on losing sides in semi-finals at U17 or U19 level – have "learned a lesson" from that experience. "In my time in international football as player and coach we need to break through a semi-final barrier and go on and win something," Pearce added. "We have to use it as a spur and put down foundations for the seniors. I honestly believe we're getting better and better and they just have to reproduce their talent on the pitch."

'Bigger fish to fry'
With Gabriel Agbonlahor fit after calf and shin injuries Pearce – a devoted Stranglers fan who is missing out on the chance to see the band at Sweden's Peace & Love Festival on Friday as "we have bigger fish to fry" – has a full squad at his disposal, in sharp contrast to two years ago. "The importance of having 23 players fit and available is absolutely vital. The last two finalists, the Netherlands and Serbia, both rested players. The only thing any manager can ask going into a semi-final is to have everyone fighting to get into the team. Sweden have improved game by game and their ability to create chances is impressive. They're the top scorers and have the top scorer in competition. We're very respectful of their threat. We have to make sure we're good enough to counter it."