Sweden

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Freddie ready for Sweden

10 Jun 2008 - 10:34:44

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Sweden captain Freddie Ljungberg is ready to play through the pain barrier in a bid to lead his side's European Championship challenge.

The West Ham United midfielder has been given the green light to start Tuesday's Group D opener against defending champions Greece despite missing the final few weeks of the Premier League season with cracked ribs.

"I will be playing with a protective device for the whole tournament," revealed the experienced midfielder.

"I feel okay right now, but if I am feeling any pain I will be using painkillers."

Meanwhile, Ljungberg insists the Sweden camp will not underestimate the challenge posed by the surprise winners of the last European Championship in their curtain-raiser in Salzburg.

He added: "Greece are the reigning champions and of course we have a lot of respect for them.

"They surprised a lot of teams last time and they could do the same again, so we have to be careful."