Best EURO performance: semi-finals 1992
Coach: Erik Hamrén
Leading scorer: all-time – Sven Rydell (49); current – Zlatan Ibrahimović (31)
Most appearances: all-time – Thomas Ravelli (143); current – Anders Svensson (127)
Association formed: 1904
Nickname: Blågult (Blue and yellows)

After missing out on the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Sweden have made a good start to re-establishing themselves as major event regulars after qualifying as best runners-up. Under Tommy Söderberg and Lars Lagerbäck, the Blågult graced five consecutive final tournaments between UEFA EURO 2000 and UEFA EURO 2008, when losses to Spain and Russia consigned them to third in Group D. Appointed in 2009, Erik Hamrén has ushered in a host of bright young things who helped book Sweden's place in Poland and Ukraine as the qualifying competition's best runners-up.

UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying
Group E: runners-up
Leading scorer: Zlatan Ibrahimović (5)
Ever-presents: Mikael Lustig, Sebastian Larsson, Kim Källström, Johan Elmander (10)

Sweden secured their finals place after a superb 3-2 victory against Group E winners the Netherlands in their final qualifier – the Oranje had won nine out of nine going into the match. That proved a fitting farewell in Sweden's last competitive game at Solna's Råsundastadion as the venue, opened in 1937, will be torn down in 2012. A new national arena is under construction.

Right-back Mikael Lustig played every minute of Sweden's qualifying campaign and was one of 14 players to register for Erik Hamrén's side en route to Poland and Ukraine.

"I feel enormous joy and enormous pride; it was a fantastic team effort," said Hamrén after Sweden clinched their finals place. "I went to bed around four, and then my eyes were still wide open. Finally, I started to reply to my text messages. I think I'd received 82 and I don't know what the time was when I sent off my last one, but finally I fell asleep."

EURO pedigree
Sweden reached the semi-finals on home turf in 1992, beating England and Denmark after an opening-day draw with France. However, with Stefan Schwarz suspended and Jonas Thern playing through injury, they were overwhelmed by Germany in Solna even if a last-minute effort made it 3-2.
It was not until 2000 – at the ninth time of asking, after not entering the inaugural event – that they successfully negotiated qualifying to reach the final tournament. They have been finals ever-presents since. Sweden exited UEFA EURO 2004 unbeaten. They kicked off with a 5-0 victory over Bulgaria and fought back to draw against Italy – courtesy of a Zlatan Ibrahimović back-heel – and Denmark, before losing 5-4 on penalties to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals after a goalless draw.

UEFA EURO 2012 Group D fixtures
Monday 11 June: Ukraine v Sweden, 20.45CET, Kyiv
Friday 15 June: Sweden v England, 20.45CET, Kyiv
Tuesday 19 June: Sweden v France, 20.45CET, Kyiv

Team EURO records
Matches played
Overall: P106 W52 D25 L29 F174 A109
Final tournament: P14 W4 D5 L5 F19 A16
Qualifying: P92 W48 D20 L24 F155 A93

Click here for extensive list of records

Last updated 5 June 2012