Wed Sep 5 21:46:07 2007

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2007 Women's World Cup Preview - Sweden

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(Sports Network) - Sweden forward Victoria Svensson will take on a larger role this year with the retirement of a number of World Cup veterans, but on FIFA's website she said she was still optimistic that "this could be our year."

Sweden lost the last World Cup to Germany in overtime on a golden goal. This year, Sweden is in a group with the same three teams - United States, Nigeria and North Korea - as 2003.

"To start with we've been drawn in the same group as in 2003... it looks a bit daunting," Svensson said. "I think it's the toughest group but having come through it safely once before is encouraging. We'll take it one step at a time, see how the group pans out and then see what happens."

While the start will be familiar, Sweden wants to change the ending. The club has also finished third in the World Cup in 1991.

Although Sweden returns nine players from the last World Cup, three of its top players - Malin Mostrom, Linda Fagerstrom and Anna Sjostrom - have since retired from international play. Sweden will also have a new goalie because 2003 starter Caroline Jonsson suffered a knee injury and will be replaced by Sofia Lundgren.

"Obviously it's a big blow to lose important players ... but we have a strong squad with a lot of experience and we should be able to fight for medals in China." Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby told FIFA's website.

"Clearly all three (Mostrom, Fagerstrom and Sjostrom) are great ... and we've certainly missed them," Svensson said. "That said, I think we've played well this year."

Sweden has played much like the team that advanced to the World Cup final in 2003. The team is one of the most offensive in the world, and with Svensson still around, is a threat to capture its first Cup.

"I always tell them that we have to work really hard every day, and that a World Cup game is not like any other - there's a great deal of media pressure and a lot of people watching your every move," said Svensson, who has played 136 games for Sweden. "Every game is important and you can't always play nice football; sometimes you have to dig deep, use your instinct and do everything in your power to win."

Svensson was solid in World Cup qualifying matches, scoring four goals. But she's not the only Swedish player capable of finding the back of the net.

Forward Hanna Ljungberg - who once received an invitation to play for Italian Serie A men's club Perugia - led the club with 10 goals in qualifying. She's battled a number of injuries, but the former Swedish Women's Player of the Year is expected to play.

"Hanna is fighting her way back and we all know what she's capable of, so I'm in a good mood," Dennerby said.

In addition to Svensson and Ljungberg, Sweden got big contributions from forward Lotta Schelin (seven goals) and Therese Lundin (four goals) in qualifying. Sweden was 7-0-1 in qualifying and outscored its opponents 32-6.

"Lotta Schelin, Nilla Fischer, Anna Paulsson, Caroline Seger ... These are just a few of the youngsters," Svensson said, "who I'm sure will do a great job for us."

They need to do a great job to replace Mostrom, Fagerstrom and Sjostrom, or this definitely won't be Sweden's year.

PAST ACHIEVEMENTS:

-- FIFA World Cup qualifier: 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007.

-- FIFA World Cup second: 2003.

-- FIFA World Cup third: 1991.

-- UEFA Championship first: 1984.

-- UEFA Championship second: 1987, 1995, 2001.

-- Algarve Cup first: 1995, 2001.

-- Algarve Cup second: 1996.