SWEDEN PROFILE: Despite a hugely impressive qualifying campaign, Sweden are possibly the weakest team in their group, writes Paul Doyle

After missing France ’98 and flopping at Euro 2000, Sweden swept into Korea/Japan with the best record of any of the qualifiers. Manager Tommy Söderberg repaid his chiefs for not sacking him after Euro 2000 by supervising a side that skipped easily past Turkey, Slovakia, Moldova, Macedonia, and Azerbaijan, winning eight of their ten matches, averaging two goals a game, and conceding only thrice.

It is a trifle strange that the Swedes found qualification so simple, since they really have not evolved much since Euro 2000. They’re not what could be called a sophisticated side, still prioritising solidity over style. So they’re not attractive to watch ... but the key, of course, is that they’re not attractive to play against either. They’re probably the least gifted team in Group F, but they’ll certainly be able to match Argentina, Nigeria, and England for power.

Barcelona’s Patrick Andersson is vital. The experienced centre-back is the cornerstone of the robust Swedish defence and is usually partnered by either Johann Mjallby of Celtic or Joachim Bjorklund of Venezia. Sturdy to be sure, but not over-endowed with speed: ‘keeper Magnus Hedman can expect to see a lot of Michael Owen and Hernan Crespo.

Up front the Swedes are no fools. Henrik Larsson has the speed and trickery to torment any defence, though he himself is often tormented by the relative poverty of partner Kenneth Andersson. For the sake of Swedish fans' sanity, it is to be hoped either Ajax’s lanky but dexterous Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Marcus Allback of Heerenveen are preferred to the ponderous Andersson.

The real Swedish shortcoming is in midfield, which is more of a wrecking crew than a creative force. Arsenal’s Fredrik Ljungberg is a high flyer, and Everton’s Niclas Alexandersson can ping a decent pass, but Anders Svensson (Staeback) and Tobias Linderoth (Orlando Pirates) are pedestrian. Bringing in Stefan Schwarz (Sunderland) or Daniel Andersson (Venezia) doesn’t do much to improve matters.

They may have qualified emphatically, but Sweden are possibly the weakest team in their group.

Squad:

Goalkeepers
1-Magnus Hedman (Coventry/Eng), 12-Magnus Kihlstedt (FC Copenhagen/Den), 23-Andreas Isaksson (Djurgaarden)

Defenders
2-Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa/Eng), 3-Patrik Andersson (Barcelona/Spa), 4-Johan Mjallby (Celtic/Sco), 5-Michael Svensson (Troyes/Fra), 13-Tomas Antonelius (FC Copenhagen/Den), 14-Erik Edman (Heerenveen/Ned), 15-Andreas Jakobsson (Hansa Rostock/Ger), 16-Teddy Lucic (AIK Solna)

Midfielders
6-Tobias Linderoth (Everton/Eng), 7-Niclas Alexandersson (Everton/Eng), 8-Anders Svensson (Southampton/Eng), 9-Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal/Eng), 17-Magnus Svensson (Brondby/Den), 18-Mattias Jonsson (Brondby/Den), 19-Pontus Farnerud (Monaco/Fra), 20-Daniel Andersson (Venezia/Ita)

Forwards
10-Marcus Allback (Aston Villa/Eng), 11-Henrik Larsson (Celtic/Sco), 21-Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Ajax/Ned), 22-Andreas Andersson (AIK Solna)