http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3672309.stm

King Henrik is back to play for Sweden in Euro2004.

Larsson back for Sweden

Henrik Larsson has agreed to come out of international retirement to play for Sweden in the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal, according to reports.

The striker, who is due to leave Celtic this summer, has bowed to pressure from the Swedish management and supporters.

The 32-year-old quit the international scene after the 2002 World Cup.

"Everyone can change their mind. The desire for Euro 2004 has been there all the time, but I haven't been sure until now," he told a Swedish newspaper.

"Physically I feel well, so it wouldn't be wrong to play in Euro 2004," Larsson told Helsingborgs Dagblad, his hometown newspaper.

Larsson, who has 24 goals and 72 caps to his credit, came out of retirement for one match to help Sweden win a qualifier against Hungary in April.

Swedish coach Lars Lagerback was delighted by the striker's u-turn.

"We are pleased with Henrik's "yes" and we must say that we have never closed the door on him," Lagerback said.

"He is very welcome in the squad."

Some of Sweden's leading sports figures, including Uefa president Lennart Johnasson, called for Larsson to play at Euro 2004, but he had rejected the appeals until Friday.

"The break from the national team has done me good and surely made my career longer by one or two years.

"If everything works well in Euro 2004, I'll continue until they throw me out," he added.

Larsson will now spearhead Sweden's attack in Portugal this summer, where they face Italy, Denmark and Bulgaria in Group C.

What a legend (H) What a boost for Sweden. Could be the dark horse of Euro2004.

Sweden are gonna be awesome in euro 2004.

Now I really can't wait for the Euros to start.

This is gonna be one hell of a tournament.

Ibrahimovic and Larsson paired up. I can't wait.

definitely he will make team Sweden more stronger so they will be more dangerous so Euro04 will be more interesting:p :) it's good that they are not in team Russia's group:)

I always thought he would return. Players cant help not playing in the bit tournaments.

Yeeeeeeeeah!!!!!! :rockman:

I knew he would return :D No one can stop us now :p

This is great for Sweden.



Ibrahimovich is gonna be pissed now that he cant be the golden boy(H)

dunno why but im happy hes comeback for sweden :(
ive got a lot of respect for the prick (H)

Super boost for Sweden. They will be dark horses to win with Ljungberg, Larsson etc.

YES!!!! Nothing can stop us now. Zlatan and Henke is going to be awesome.

Henrik the legend:rockman: i agree with rob, they are a real dark horse now

Dont think am stretching it with that we could have among the best partnership in the euro now. Not only are Zlatan and Larsson good individually but they seems to have a great deal of respect for each other as well.

Just a minor detail that they havent played 90 minutes together ;) :p


Great, a complete team now but the useless twat of a rigthback that we have...

He didn't do anything to help them get to Euro 2004, and now he wants to play in the tournament. What an asshole. Keep him on the bench and play the guys who got you to the game.

The same strategy that will keep Greece from getting anywhere in the tournament. You need to do what's best for the team as a manager, not what's best for the players.

Originally posted by Elder
He didn't do anything to help them get to Euro 2004, and now he wants to play in the tournament. What an asshole. Keep him on the bench and play the guys who got you to the game.
The same case is Kishishev from Bulgaria. He denied playing for Bulgaria in the middle of qualifications and now this freak wants a place for Euro2004. He even doesnt play regularly for Charlton.:kader:

Originally posted by Elder
He didn't do anything to help them get to Euro 2004, and now he wants to play in the tournament. What an asshole. Keep him on the bench and play the guys who got you to the game.

He didn't do anything? Read the article again slowly.
Larsson, who has 24 goals and 72 caps to his credit, came out of retirement for one match to help Sweden win a qualifier against Hungary in April.
The win against Hungary in Hungary was critical for Sweden.
Secondly, people WANTED him to play because they feel he can help the team not to boost his own ego.
Some people just need to relax and think before criticizing.

Originally posted by rpvankasteren
You need to do what's best for the team as a manager, not what's best for the players.

CM legend. (H)

:jap:

at your service

Even though im italian, and they play sweden, this new brings :D to my face. Its always nice to see the best playing. Zlatan-Larsson is gonna be amazing (Y).




... hope Maldini follows his example...

Originally posted by V-9
He didn't do anything? Read the article again slowly.

The win against Hungary in Hungary was critical for Sweden.
Secondly, people WANTED him to play because they feel he can help the team not to boost his own ego.
Some people just need to relax and think before criticizing.

Read the line before it... which is as far as I got...

"The 32-year-old quit the international scene after the 2002 World Cup. "

I think he is a talented striker, but playing one game doesn't give you the right to play a whole tournament just because. But, I am a big fan of letting the people decide who plays, and if that gets him on the team, then so be it.

Baggio should also play.

Henke made the right decision! Sweden is gonna be strong now YAY!

Originally posted by rpvankasteren
The same strategy that will keep Greece from getting anywhere in the tournament. You need to do what's best for the team as a manager, not what's best for the players.


very true in 1996 Greece got killed because they sent all of the old farts to play instead of the youngesters that got them in the tournament this year. Rehangel has promised this will not be the case in Euro04

Originally posted by Pontiakos
Rehangel has promised this will not be the case in Euro04

He did say on Dutch TV before the match he would not bring other players to the squad. He said that these players should be going to the tournament they qualified for. He wouldn't consider other players, no matter how well they were going to perform.
Well, Advocaat said he wouldn't change the squad anymore either, so we're in the same position.

zlatan-larsson vs. totti-cassano(if he goes)

now there's a game i can't wait to see(H)

Zlatan and Larsson... hmm Sweden are going to be european champions I think :)

Originally posted by dobrin1980
The same case is Kishishev from Bulgaria. He denied playing for Bulgaria in the middle of qualifications and now this freak wants a place for Euro2004. He even doesnt play regularly for Charlton.:kader:

Kishishev wants to come back? i never heard that.

HELL YA!

This is great news@!

Originally posted by Zlatan
Zlatan and Larsson... hmm Sweden are going to be european champions I think :)

I wouldn't go that far, but Sweden just like everyone else, have a fair chance of doing it, anyone can win. (Y)

Henrik, Zlatan and Kallstrom will be interesting to see.

Originally posted by Elder
He didn't do anything to help them get to Euro 2004, and now he wants to play in the tournament. What an asshole. Keep him on the bench and play the guys who got you to the game.

We have begged and pray to him to join us so he is more that welcome.
Lennart Johansson, Sven-Göran Eriksson, The 2 biggest New Papers, Swedish celebrities and LOT of letters have from fans all over Sweden had for almost 2 years beg and pray to him to join the squad.
Lennart had write to him 2 times and spoke to him on the phone a couple of times only to get him to EC.
So this is not only his wish. =)
If you had follow the Swedish News Papers you would not say as you sad.
We do not have that kinde of players that Italy and France have, so every player in Henriks caliber are more that welcome.
And he is our king, miles ahed of Zlatan, Ljungberg and Källström in our eyes.

Originally posted by Elder
He didn't do anything to help them get to Euro 2004, and now he wants to play in the tournament. What an asshole. Keep him on the bench and play the guys who got you to the game.

Btw he played one game when we were lack of forwards.

I wonder if Larsson will be in Euro 2004 now? Hmmm....

great news.

now i want a larsson sweden kit.

Originally posted by SB9Dragon
I wonder if Larsson will be in Euro 2004 now? Hmmm.... You idiot. Read the post it says he will play in Euro.

If only Shearer could take a leaf out of Larssons book...........

:(

Originally posted by mufc_daddy
If only Shearer could take a leaf out of Larssons book...........

:( oh yeah..

Sweden look a lot stronger all of a sudden. This might be the boost they need to achieve something big.
If they get lucky they have the chances to make it to the final.

Originally posted by Elder
He didn't do anything to help them get to Euro 2004, and now he wants to play in the tournament. What an asshole. Keep him on the bench and play the guys who got you to the game.

And you know why he only played one match? He wanted to spend time with his kid.

I personally see no fault in that, none at all.