Swedes impress Strömberg

As a former Swedish international who excelled at SL Benfica and resides in Italy, Glenn Strömberg has been an interested observer of UEFA EURO 2004™. With the Azzurri already home, the former midfield player believes his countrymen have the "skill and organisation" to go all the way in Portugal.

Respected talent
One of the most-respected foreign players to have featured in Serie A, having impressed in an eight-season spell at Atalanta BC, Strömberg also won the 1982 UEFA Cup under Sven-Göran Eriksson at IFK Göteborg and two Portuguese titles with Benfica. Now he hopes to see Sweden at his former Estádio da Luz stamping ground in the 4 July final. First, though, they will have to account for the Netherlands in tonight's quarter-final.

'Among the best'
"Sweden have been among the best teams in Europe in qualifying for [FIFA] World Cups and [UEFA] European Championships in recent seasons and now they have found that continuity in the finals," the 44-year-old, who retired in 1992 after representing his country 52 times, told euro2004.com. "They hardly ever lose or concede goals and are technically skilled and well-organised."

Maturing Ibrahimovic
Although Henrik Larsson's return has been "extremely important" to Sweden's cause, Strömberg is pleased to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic impressing. "Unfortunately, Sweden didn't have an emerging star two years ago and the media pushed him too much when he wasn't ready. Now he's won titles and played in important competitions with [AFC] Ajax and has matured. He's moving in the right direction." As are Sweden, it seems.