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Sunday 23rd November 2008 Make us your HOME PAGE  What is RSS?

FOOTBALL

LAGERBACK: WE'RE READY FOR ANYTHING

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Lars Lagerback

Wednesday June 18,2008

Sweden coach Lars Lagerback expects experience to be factor on Wednesday night when his side look for the point they need to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.

A draw or more against Russia at Innsbruck's Tivoli Neu stadium will see Lagerback's men progress from Group D, and they should have Zlatan Ibrahimovic fit despite the striker picking up a slight knee problem against Spain at the weekend.

"We are 100% sure of what substitutions and changes we want to make under different scenarios. That is the single most important thing I've learned from playing similar, do-or-die types of matches." Lagerback said.

He added: "The absolutely most important thing for a match like this is to be 100% prepared for all eventualities,"

"The fact many of our players have experienced these situations before also has a certain importance. You have to be able to handle it mentally.

"Our players have proved they're very strong in that department. Not least the way we've come back in the late stages of matches."

Russia coach Guus Hiddink will make a late decision on unleashing Andrei Arshavin and giving the playmaker another opportunity to spark interest among Barclays Premier League clubs.

After being dismissed against Andorra in Russia's final qualifier, Arshavin was suspended for the first two matches of Euro 2008, and he could return with a win now required to pip Sweden to a quarter-final place.

"I don't know whether he will play or not," Hiddink said. "The last match he took part in was a friendly against Lithuania (on June 4).

"Up until then, he had not played much. Therefore, he may not be in good enough condition to play a whole 90 minutes. We will see."


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