Much like games between the home nations, matches which involve two teams of the same region always carry that little bit extra amount of expectation. With Sweden set to play Norway, both sides will be playing for the rights to call themselves the best footballing nation in Scandinavia.
To give some indication in regards to which team is most likely to win – we’ve created an all-time XI of both nations, the team will be setting up in a 3-5-2 system: but which country will have most representatives?
GK) Thomas Mhyre
There's not a great deal of choice between the sticks here with only a handful of standouts. Image Source: Archivofutbol
LCB) John Arne Riise
A left-back who Liverpool need right now. Image Source: WorldFootball
CB) Henning Berg
Norway's greatest ever centre-half. Image Source: WhoAteAllThePies
RCB) Olof Mellberg
Sweden's only representative in the side's defence. Image Source: Twitter
LM) Morten Gamst-Pedersen
A wand on both feet. Image Source: UEFA
CM) Ronny Johnsen
Manchester United title winner. Image Source: Twitter
CM) Emil Forsberg
Sweden have a new star in the making. Assist master.
Image Source : Zimbio
RM) Freddie Ljungberg
The Invincible Swede.
Image Source: Twitter
CAM) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
King Zlatan behind the two forwards will go very well.
Image Source: Twitter
ST) Henrik Larsson
Clinical. Celtic's best ever forward. Image Source: Twitter
ST) Gunnar Nordahl
Serie A enthusiasts will remember this man. The Serie A top scorer five times in six seasons.
Image Source: Pinterest
SUB) Erik Thorstvedt
It was a close call between Thorstvedt and Mhyre.
Image Source: Talksport
SUB) Brede Hangelaand
The Former Fulham man deserved a chance at one of the Premier League's top clubs. Image Source: Nasl
SUB) Nils Liedholm
Sweden's captain through one of their most successful periods.
Image Source: Twitter
SUB) Gunnar Gren
Along with Gunnar Nordahl and Nils Liedholm, Gren dominated the Serie A with AC Milan and was also was part of Sweden's famous World Cup side who finished as runners up in 1958. Image Source: Alchetron
SUB) Ole Gunner Solksjaer
Super sub. Image Source: Twitter
While it’s Sweden that make-up the majority of the attack, it seems that Norway have had much better defensive players – even to the extent of Ronny Johnsen who although has been selected as a more defensive midfielder in the team, could also play at centre-back.
You could argue that both teams have suffered a decline in recent years – the loss of Zlatan Ibrahimovic was always going to be tough for Sweden to handle, but the emergence of Emil Forsberg has been a blessing for Swedish fans – their current side would look in trouble without the Leipzig midfielder who contributed massively to the Red Bull side’s 2nd place finish in the Bundesliga; eight goals and 19 assists. Sweden’s new star will certainly be on Premier League club’s radars this summer.
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