Lagerback: Experience is key
18 Jun 2008 - 09:51:53
Sweden coach Lars Lagerback believes the experience in his squad will help them overcome Russia and qualify for the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.
Sweden will secure runners-up spot behind Spain in Group D and a place in the last eight should they pick up at least a point against Russia in Innsbruck on Wednesday evening.
Lagerback also expects Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be fit despite the key striker injuring his knee in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Spain.
"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," he said.
"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.
"The absolute most important thing for a match like this is to be 100 per cent prepared for all eventualities.
"We are 100 per cent 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."