Nilsson and Liljegärd make Sweden cut

Full-back Lina Nilsson has been included in Sweden's squad for UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ just a week after winning her first two senior caps while striker Linnea Liljegärd has also been given a surprise place.

Nilsson call
Coach Thomas Dennerby confirmed his party of 22 on Tuesday, as Sweden attempt to win their first European title since the inaugural event in 1984. While captain Victoria Svensson will provide the experience of 161 caps and 65 international goals, 22-year-old LdB FC Malmö full-back Nilsson only broke into the team as a substitute in the friendly victories over China and finals hosts Finland earlier this month.

'Nothing to fear'
Nilsson told uefa.com: "I hadn't given [the finals] a thought until I got my first senior call-up in July. But since that was also the last camp before the championships I understood I had a good chance of making the cut. We youngsters have no memories of championship defeats. We've got nothing to fear. Maybe we can provide energy in situations where more experienced players start to feel anxious because of memories of previous defeats."

Liljegärd rewarded
Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC striker Liljegärd, capped just once against Norway in January, has also been included, rewarded for her Damallsvenskan-leading tally of 16 goals while Madelaine Edlund misses the finals for personal reasons. Sweden, unbeaten in 2009, complete their preparations against Norway in Enkoping on 19 August six days before facing Russia in their Group C opener in Turku, with Italy and England also in the section. Dennerby said: "If we go into the tournament ranked second in Europé, then of course that means we're aiming for the final."

Sweden squad
Goalkeepers: Kristin Hammarström (KIF Örebro DFF), Hedvig Lindahl (Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC), Ulla-Karin Rönnlund (Umeå IK).

Defenders: Sara Larsson (St Louis Athletica), Lina Nilsson (LdB FC Malmö), Anna Paulson (Umeå IK), Charlotte Rohlin (Linköpings FC), Stina Segerström (Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC), Linda Sembrant (AIK Fotboll), Sara Thunebro (1. FFC Frankfurt).

Midfielders: Kosovare Asllani (Linköpings FC), Lisa Dahlkvist (Umeå IK), Louise Fors (AIK Fotboll) Nilla Fischer (LdB FC Malmö), Caroline Seger (Linköpings FC), Therese Sjögran (LdB FC Malmö), Victoria Svensson (Djurgårdens IF FF).

Forwards: Linda Forsberg (LdB FC Malmö), Jessica Landström (Linköpings FC), Sara Lindén (Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC), Lotta Schelin (Olympique Lyonnais), Linnea Liljegärd (Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC).