Fuente : UEFA (English)
http://www.uefa.com/

FIFA World Cup: Swedish glee at return of the King

/noticias.info/ Zinedine Zidane was not the only talismanic figure making an international comeback last night, with Sweden striker Henrik Larsson earning acclaim for a goalscoring return to the national team.

Hugely impressive
The Swedes may have been missing Fredrik Ljungberg and Zlatan Ibrahimovic against the Czech Republic, but the presence of Larsson was more significant as the FC Barcelona forward inspired his country to a 2-1 victory. The 33-year-old marked his 83rd cap, and first since appearing against Iceland last October, with a 19th-minute opener and shone brightly before being replaced midway through the second half.

Childhood dreams
"It's always great to be back," said Larsson, whose first season at Barcelona ended prematurely when he ripped the anterior cruciate ligament and cartilage in his left knee in a 3-0 win against Real Madrid CF in November 2004. "When you take to the pitch and hear the national anthem, you just think 'wow'. It's something you have dreamt of since you were a little kid."

'Best team'
Larsson has been making Swedish dreams come true since his debut in 1992, not least when helping his country to third place at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He then came out of international retirement to plunder three goals at UEFA EURO 2004™ as the Swedes made the last eight - feats he hopes to replicate on the world stage next year. "I'm sure we can get to the World Cup as this is probably the best Sweden side I've played in," he said.

Peak condition
Sweden are second in qualifying Group 8, a point behind the only team to have beaten them, Croatia, but retain hope of topping the pool and qualifying automatically for Germany. They are at home to Bulgaria on 3 September and away to Hungary the following Wednesday before what is likely to be a decider against the Croatians on 8 October - by which time Larsson expects to be in peak condition.

Eye for goal
"I feel as fit now as I did ten years ago, and the older I get the stronger I get," said the former Celtic FC favourite. "Don't forget that my Spanish season doesn't begin until 28 August so I'm not supposed to be in top form." Match-fit or not, it is Larsson's unerring eye for goal that has made him such a popular figure in his homeland, with one-time team-mate Glenn Hysén leading the acclaim.

'Super professional'
"Henrik is such a unique player," said the ex-Liverpool FC defender. "He's been out for so long and can hardly be anywhere near match-fit yet he takes the game by storm and was easily Sweden's best player." National team coach Lars Lagerbäck added: "Henrik is a top-class player and super professional. His experience and attitude is something from which we benefit a lot." Rather like Zidane with France, then.

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Henrik Larsson factfile

Sweden caps: 83 (33 goals)
Sweden debut: 13.10.1993 v Finland (3-2)
Clubs: Högaborgs BK -1991, Helsingborgs IF 1992-93, Feyenoord 1993-97, Celtic FC 1997-2004, FC Barcelona 2004-
Scored 242 goals in 315 games for Celtic FC
Chosen by the Swedish FA as country's outstanding player of previous 50 years in 2004 notas_de_prensa_archivo