Sweden tackle Tirana task

Sweden are drawing on their reserves as they travel to Albania for the nations' first meeting since 1989.

Depleted squad
The UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifiers already knew they were without goalkeeper Magnus Hedman, defenders Johan Mjällby and Michael Svensson, midfield player Fredrik Ljungberg and strikers Anders Andersson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic when joint coaches Lars Lagerbäck and Tommy Söderberg announced their squad last week.

Fresh withdrawals
Since then midfield player Anders Svensson has also been ruled out with a partially torn cruciate ligament and striker Mattias Jonson and defender Olof Mellberg are ill. Söderberg said of the latest withdrawal: "Our medical team and Olof Mellberg have agreed it is best for him to stay at home and recover."

Hansson called up
In response, Djurgårdens IF midfield player Andreas Johansson and Malmö FF forward Niklas Skoog have been called up. SC Heerenveen defender Petter Hansson was in the original squad, giving him a chance of a second cap more than two years after his first. "Petter has developed very well at Heerenveen and we thought it was time that he was given the chance to show what he can do at this level," said Lagerbäck.

Friendly defeats
Djurgården's Johan Arneng and Andreas Isaksson also have an opportunity to impress after promising performances in the recent Hong Kong tournament. But although Sweden qualified for Portugal in style, since then experimental sides have lost to Egypt and Norway, something the coaches will be keen to reverse in Tirana.

Much-improved side
Albania themselves are much improved, even from the team that only narrowly lost 2-1 and 3-1 to Sweden in qualifying for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the only previous games between the two countries. Hans-Peter Briegel's team put up an excellent performance in EURO 2004™ Group 10, gaining home wins against Russia and Georgia, and drawing their other two Tirana encounters with the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland.

Albanian talent
Briegel is still without Hannover 96 midfield player Altin Lala through injury, but can call on several players from Europe's leading leagues, including Bologna FC striker Igli Tare and Eintracht Frankfurt midfield player Ervin Skela. It seems likely to be a tricky night for Sweden.