Sweden is a second-tier player on the European soccer map, but has reached the quarterfinals on the World Cup and Euro stage. To date, Sweden has made six consecutive appearances at the Euros, striving to reach the knockout stages and go further, having been among the last eight at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, the return of the national team's former AC Milan veteran Ibe due to injury has been a big loss for Sweden.
I. Team overview
Best All-Time: 1992 Final Four
Head Coach: Janne Andersson
Top scorer: Ibe (62 goals)
Current top scorer: Borg (23 goals)
Appearance record: Anders Svensson (148)
Active Appearance Record: Sebastian Larsson (128 games)
Founded by the Football Association: 1908
II. Review of the qualifiers
In this year's UEFA Euro qualifiers, Sweden was grouped with strong teams such as Spain, Norway and Romania, and ended up second in the group with 6 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss, accumulating 21 points. Despite the 0-3 defeat in the match with Spain, the encounter with Norway ended in a draw. In the penultimate round, Sweden beat Romania 2-0 away from home to qualify for the tournament in the early rounds.
III. Sweden's Grand List
Goalkeepers: Johansson (Copenhagen), Nordfeldt (Youth United), Olsen (Everton)
Defenders: Craft (Newcastle), Lindelof (Manchester United), Danielsson (Dalian), Martin Olsson (Heggen), Augustinsson (Werder Bremen), Jansson (Brentford), Hyland (Rangers), Lustig (AIK Solna), Granqvist (Helsingborg)
Midfielders: Forsberg (Red Bull Leipzig), Sema (Watford), Klaassen (Krasnodar), Kulusevski (Juventus), Sebastian Larsson (AIK Solna), Ekdahl (Sampdoria), Christopher Olsson (Krasnodar), Kajuste (Midtjylland), Swanberg (Bologna), Svensson (Guangzhou City)
Forwards: Berry (Krasnodar), Isaac (Real Sociedad), Quaison (Mainz 05), Jordan Larsson (Sparta Moscow)
IV. Analysis of the Grand List
In the goalkeeper position, it is still unknown whether Olsen can play well in the Europa League. In the back line, Dalianjin player Danielsson will be hard to shake Lindelof and Granqvist, and Augustinsson and Lustig are expected to be the mainstay of the side. In the midfield, Guangzhou City's Svensson is unlikely to squeeze into the starting lineup, while Forsberg, Sebastian Larsson and Swanberg are the stalwarts of the team.
Up front, Ibrah is out due to injury and Isaac will be tasked with destroying the team. Berry and Quaison will compete for the remaining striker spot. Kulusevski's positioning will be determined by Sweden's formation; he was a standout performer for Juventus but recently contracted a new crown and it remains unknown when he will return.
V. Projected starting lineup (4-4-2):
Olsen/Augustinsson, Lindelof, Granqvist, Lustig/Klason, Forsberg, Sebastian Larsson, Swanberg/Isaac, Quaison
VI. Itinerary for the Swedish group stage
June 15, 03:00, Sweden vs. Spain
June 18, 21:00, Sweden vs. Slovakia
June 24, 00:00, Sweden vs. Poland
VII. Prospects and points of view of the European Cup
Sweden is in a very competitive group, with Spain and Poland both having the ability to win the title. If Sweden wants to advance, they will need to give their best in every game. Historically, Sweden has played Spain 14 times and only won 3 times, so the situation is not optimistic for the first match against Spain. Against Slovakia, Sweden has the advantage and is expected to win all three points. In the match with Poland, Sweden has the absolute upper hand and is expected to win.
It is worth mentioning that Sweden has a Chinese Super League element, as Dalian Ren defender Danielsson and Guangzhou City midfielder Svensson will represent the Chinese Super League. Each of their appearances will be the center of attention.
