Just Another Comeback

 

Going into the European Championships in the summer Sweden have once again included the evergreen Henrik Larsson in their squad.

 

This is the third time that Larsson has come out of international retirement having already given up the international game in 2002 and then again in 2006. This time, though, Larsson seems keen to play on for more than just the Championships, saying that he is enjoying his football currently and wants to keep playing into the near future.

 

According to Blue Square, Sweden are outsiders for the tournament. Tied with Greece at 25/1, they might just be worth a couple of quid. Traditionally speaking Sweden’s odds shorten as the tournament approaches as punters around the world realise the amazing quality that they have in some positions.

 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, once again, will be the principle hope of the Swedish nation. A world-class talent, dubbed by some as ridiculously overrated, and by others as ridiculously gifted, he has often provoked debate. Either way though Zlatan keeps opposition defences busy, and might just open up spaces that the likes of Henrik Larsson will be able to exploit.

 

Larsson himself is enjoying a sort of Indian Summer to his career. Having decided to stay in Sweden despite offers from other clubs following his spell at Manchester United he has notched six goals in eleven games for Helsingborgs – the Swedish season runs across the British summer, as football is simply not playable during a Swedish winter.

 

Despite Larsson’s decision to come out of retirement, and the boost that it will undoubtedly give to the other players in the squad and to Swedish fans, Sweden should not be considered a serious threat to the tournament, but with the kind of talent that they have at their disposal they could cause some serious upsets on the way through. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Larsson producing a couple of moments of magic along the way.

 

Football Betting odds provided by Blue Square.