CROWN - Croatian World Network - http://www.croatia.org/crown
(E) Sweden's Larsson to miss Croatia friendly
http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8101/1/E-Swedens-Larsson-to-miss-Croatia-friendly.html
By Nenad N. Bach
Published on 04/24/2003
 

 

Sweden's Larsson to miss Croatia friendly, but Zlatan is back

 

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) - Henrik Larsson will miss Sweden's first-ever match against Croatia, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic is coming back April 30 at Rasunda Stadium in Stockholm after a suspension.

Larsson, one of Europe's top goalscorers, turned down the chance to play again for Sweden because of commitments with his Scottish club, Celtic.

Larsson retired from the national team after Sweden's World Cup team lost in the round of 16 in Japan last year, but he made a successful comeback earlier this month in a Euro 2004 qualifier against Hungary.

Ibrahimovic didn't play in Budapest, where Sweden won the Group 4 game 2-1 to keep its chances alive to make next year's championship in Portugal.

Against Croatia, the Ajax star is expected to start up front with Marcus Allback, the Aston Villa striker who scored both goals against the Hungarians.

Fredric Lundqvist was the surprise name on the roster that co-coaches Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg announced Tuesday.

The 26-year-old defender from Swedish first-division side Sundsvall played for an under-strength Swedish team that won the Kings Cup in Thailand earlier this year. He's likely to start on the bench against Croatia.


(E) Sweden's Larsson to miss Croatia friendly

 

Sweden's Larsson to miss Croatia friendly, but Zlatan is back

 

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) - Henrik Larsson will miss Sweden's first-ever match against Croatia, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic is coming back April 30 at Rasunda Stadium in Stockholm after a suspension.

Larsson, one of Europe's top goalscorers, turned down the chance to play again for Sweden because of commitments with his Scottish club, Celtic.

Larsson retired from the national team after Sweden's World Cup team lost in the round of 16 in Japan last year, but he made a successful comeback earlier this month in a Euro 2004 qualifier against Hungary.

Ibrahimovic didn't play in Budapest, where Sweden won the Group 4 game 2-1 to keep its chances alive to make next year's championship in Portugal.

Against Croatia, the Ajax star is expected to start up front with Marcus Allback, the Aston Villa striker who scored both goals against the Hungarians.

Fredric Lundqvist was the surprise name on the roster that co-coaches Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg announced Tuesday.

The 26-year-old defender from Swedish first-division side Sundsvall played for an under-strength Swedish team that won the Kings Cup in Thailand earlier this year. He's likely to start on the bench against Croatia.