Swedish sights set on final

Sweden reached the FIFA Women's World Cup final for the first time in 2003 - and coach Thomas Dennerby wants a repeat performance this time around in China.

Final target
Having taken his players to the Great Wall on a day off before their Group B opener against African champions Nigeria in Chengdu on Tuesday, Dennerby confirmed he was aiming high despite being drawn in a tough pool also containing the United States and Korea DPR. "We want to reach the top, we're aiming for another final, and I think we can do it," he said. "There is a belief in the squad which can take us very far," The squad have spent a week in Beijing but are now transferring to Chengdu. Dennerby added: "Once we get there each and every player will turn their focus towards the first game. In Beijing the pitches have been so-so and even though the training sessions have improved, all the players are gearing up for the big day."

Ljungberg scare
There has been a slight scare with key forward Hanna Ljungberg hobbled out of training with a thigh problem but her old injury curse has not reoccurred. "If it had been a game I would have played on, but I didn't want to risk anything," said Ljungberg, who came off the bench to score twice in a 2-1 friendly win in Denmark last week. "We have a good mix of young and experienced players. Some players who played in the last championship have matured, while the older players have maintained and improved their skill."

Schelin prospect
One of the younger players that havebecome gradually more important for Sweden is Lotta Schelin of Göteborg/Kopparbergs FC. Schelin is only 23 but has already picked up 42 caps and scored nine goals, many of them from midfield "I'm more of a forward these days and I'm really looking forward to this." Said Schelin, who believes Sweden can go one better than in the United States four years ago. "We've got a good squad and we all know what it takes."

Goalkeeping dilemma
For Dennerby there remains one selection headache with Hedvig Lindahl and Sofia Lundgren still locked in combat for the goalkeeper's position usually filled by the injured Caroline Jönsson. "We've got three good keepers with Lindahl and Lundgren having more experience than [Kristin] Hammarström," Dennerby said. "It's good, it’s a positive problem."