Larsson ends international exile

Henrik Larsson has been recalled to the Sweden squad for the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying game with Hungary on 2 April.

International retirement
The 31-year-old Celtic FC striker had announced his retirement from international football following Sweden's second-round elimination by Senegal at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but has been persuaded to reverse his decision by joint-coaches Tommy Söderberg and Lars Lagerbäck.

Welcome boost
AFC Ajax forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended for the game in Budapest and other striking options, such as Marcus Allbäck, are not playing regularly for their club sides, meaning Larsson's return comes as a welcome boost. "With Ibrahimovic suspended and other forwards out of form we have asked Henrik Larsson if will help us in this very important game in Hungary and, happily, Henrik said 'yes'," said a Swedish Football Association statement.

Prolific campaign
Larsson has been in fine form, and scored his 36th goal of the campaign in Celtic's 2-1 loss to Rangers FC in Sunday's Scottish League Cup final. However, it is unclear whether this will mark the resumption of his international career or is strictly a one-off. "We've only talked about this game, so this is all we've agreed on so far" said Lagerbäck.

Few surprises
Larsson's Celtic team-mate, goalkeeper Magnus Hedman, is missing through injury, while neither Niklas Skoogs, who performed impressively in Sweden's victory in the King's Cup in February, nor Patrik Andersson, who made his long-awaited return for FC Barcelona two weeks ago after injury, are included in the 21-man squad.

Slow start

Sweden squad
Allbäck, Anders Andersson, Andreas Andersson, Isaksson, Kihlstedt, Edman, Jakobsson, Johansson, Lucic, Mellberg, Mjällby, M Svensson, Elmander, Jonson, Källström, Lantz, Larsson, Ljungberg, Nilsson, Prica, A Svensson