No Larsson for Sweden

Henrik Larsson has not been included in Sweden's 19-man squad for the friendly game against Croatia.

Larsson out
Larsson cut short his international retirement to help Sweden overcome Hungary 2-1 in a recent UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying game, but coach Lars Lagerbäck was not able to call on the Celtic FC striker's services this time. "We have agreed with Henke to wait and see how he feels later in the year," said Lagerbäck.

English-based players
In the striker's absence, Lagerbäck and fellow coach Tommy Söderberg have picked a squad largely composed of players based in England. Arsenal FC's Fredrik Ljungberg, Southampton FC's Anders Svensson and Aston Villa FC's Markus Allbäck all feature in the lineup, but the coaches have taken the opportunity to experiment with their goalkeeping options.

Goalkeeping options
Eddie Gustafsson and Fredric Lundqvist have both been called into the squad and could gain priceless international experience in the absence of more established team-mates. "Magnus Hedman is still injured and Magnus Kihlstedt is not playing so much for FC København which will give Gustafsson a good chance to show his worth," said Lagerbäck.

Qualifying challenge
The coach hinted that the 19-man selection for the match against Croatia on 30 April should not differ too much from the squad for Sweden's next UEFA European Championship qualifiers. "Perhaps we will make a change or two but these are the players we will put our faith in for the matches in June," said Lagerbäck.

Sweden squad
Gustafsson, Isaksson, Edman, Jakobsson, Lundqvist, Lucic, Mellberg, Mjällby, M Svensson, Jonson, Kallström, Lantz, Ljungberg, Nilsson, A Svensson, Allbäck, Andersson, Elmander, Ibrahimovic.