Euro 2012 Player Spot: Group D: Sweden: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Scandinavian countries have always performed impressively in international tournaments, whether it be the World Cup or the European Championships. The names of Sweden, Denmark and Norway are synonymous with giant killing acts, passion, application and the old Viking spirit. The history of this particular northern-most European province is evidence enough to prove that on the football pitch, the Nordic nations are a feared lot. While Sweden and Denmark are representing Scandinavia in Euro 2012, odds are stacked against the two Viking nations to progress further into the knockout stages, given the toughness of their respective groups. Yet, in the ultra competitive environment of the European Championships, one cannot write off any side, let alone the Nordic nations.

The current Sweden team may not match the ferocious competitive edge of the golden generation of the early nineties when they reached the semi finals of Euro 1992 and finished third in the 1994 World Cup, but the latter generations have always lived up to that Scandinavian spirit by bringing the best out of very little. They are more comfortable playing as a team rather than relying on individuals, although this time around, an ageing Sweden side might just have to look up to one of their favourite sons and talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic to come up with the goods. Though this team has loads of promising talents that would ply their trade in big clubs across the continent in the near future, the likes of Ola Toivonen, Sebastian Larsson, Kim Kallstrom, Rasmus Elm and Markus Rosenberg are yet to carry forward the team themselves, thus relying heavily on the ageing contingent of Ibrahimovic, Christian Wilhemsson, Andreas Isaksson, Olof Mellberg and Anders Svensson.

Key Player

Self proclaimed best player in the world. But there is no doubt about his god gifted talent

There is no doubt who the player to watch out for Sweden in Poland and the Ukraine is. Zlatan Ibrahimovic once claimed that he is the best player in the world and though many laughed off his self confidence, there is no denying of the fact that the thirty year old AC Milan striker, and the captain of his national side, is one of the best of the modern era. Just look at the man’s pedigree both at the club and the international arena. Ibra, as he is commonly called, has played for the best in Holland, Italy and Spain, winning virtually every silverware on offer in an illustrious career that is in the fourteenth year.

Born to a Bosnian father and Croatian mother, Ibrahimovic is of Balkan descent. But his credentials as a Swedish international is of legendary status. Built powerfully with a tower like structure, Ibrahimovic is one of the very few players who have excelled in the defensive environment of the Italian Serie A, turning out for the big Italian clubs of Juventus, Internazionale and AC Milan. One cannot shine in these surroundings without a superior technical ability and mental toughness, which Ibrahimovic has in abundance. The Malmo boy possesses a rare trait for a tall striker, which is why he is regarded among the very best. For a 1.95m tall striker, he has exceptional dribbling skills and tremendous pace as he prefers to meet the ball rather than waiting for crosses to come to him as old fashioned strikers would like.

Zlatan has a tremendous assist record too, preferring to be involved in a team effort than to showcase individual skills on every occasion. With such technical assets and results to show for, no wonder the Sweden captain called himself the best player in the world. The just concluded season has seen him accumulate a staggering 35 goals in all competitions for AC Milan, who fell just short of Juventus in the title race. Erik Hamren, coach of Sweden, named him team captain ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifications. The coach’s attacking philosophy has instilled a new confidence in the player, who once refused to play for the national side after being punished by the then coach Lars Lagerback for boycotting team rules. His outspoken nature and a potentially bad temper might have brought about unnecessary controversies in the past, but his ability as a football player is nothing short of greatness.

A player who has tasted success in every single club he has played for over the course of more than a decade long career is sure to play a key role in Sweden’s summer assault on the European Championships. Having netted five times in the qualifying campaign, in addition to three assists and an inspired leadership both on and off the pitch, there is bound to be more of Ibra on show in Group D as Sweden open their campaign against co hosts Ukraine on June 11, before taking on England and France in subsequent matches.

Current form

Scored two goals in the last two internationals against Croatia and Iceland, ending a five match goal scoring drought. Ibrahimovic is in superb form after another productive season as an individual for AC Milan and produced two match winning performances in a 3-1 away victory over Croatia in February and in a 3-2 win over Iceland in Gothenburg on May 30.

International career

30 goals in 76 caps. Captain of Sweden.