Larsson warning to rivals
Monday, May 3, 2004
Article summary
Sweden striker Henrik Larsson believes he will return for his country a "better player" than he was two years ago.
Article body
Reversed decision
The 32-year-old confirmed last week his availability for UEFA EURO 2004™ - reversing the decision he made after the 2002 FIFA World Cup not to play for Sweden again. Larsson, who has scored 24 goals for his country in 73 appearances, said that "the break I've had from international football has made me a better player".
Club commitments
Save for one appearance in EURO 2004™ qualifying against Hungary, Larsson has spent the last two seasons focused on his club commitments at Celtic FC. Last season he scored eleven goals as Celtic reached the UEFA Cup final against FC Porto, while this term he has hit 37 goals in all competitions.
'Fit and ready'
"I'm feeling very fit and totally ready for Portugal," he said. "If I thought for one second that I wasn't right, I wouldn't have called the coach [Lars Lagerbäck]. I've had experience of playing in Europe over the last two years, when I haven't been with Sweden, and that has allowed me to keep getting experience of different styles of football. There is no doubt in my mind that the time I've been out of international football has extended my career."
Popularity
Larsson's popularity is such that the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet ran a petition trying to persuade 'Henke' to come out of retirement - and he also received a personal letter from UEFA President Lennart Johansson. Of this attention, he said: "It's always nice to know that people have a high opinion of you. But in the end the decision had to be mine and mine alone.
'Right to go back'
"Although I'd thought a lot about it, I hadn't made up my mind until Thursday when I called the Sweden coach Lars Lagerbäck and told him that if they still wanted and were still interested in me I would be happy to play. I'm very happy with my decision. When I quit it was right, and now it is right to go back. "
Third finals
EURO 2004™ will be Larsson's third UEFA European Championship, following the 1992 and 2000 editions. He added: "It's been great with the response I've had from a lot of people back in Sweden. Now I'm really looking forward to playing for Sweden again."
Henrik Larsson's personal website can be found at www.icons.com