Sweden looking to resume dark horse role

The Nordic nation have generally done well since their golden era in the early 1990s, when they reached the semifinals of Euro 1992 and  third in the 1994 World Cup.

Sweden qualified for Euro 2012 as best runners-up in the qualification stages but will need the next generation to step up and take over if they want to improve and go all the way.

Sweden

World ranking (as of November 2011): 14
Coach: Erik Hamren

With new coach Erik Hamren taking over Lars Lagerback after failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, Sweden have always put attack on priority.

Sweden are an aging team.

Their current key players are all in the other side of the hill of their careers, so to speak. Ibrahimovic (30), Christian Wilhemsson (31), Olof Mellberg (34) and Anders Svensson (35) have certainly seen 

Sweden have lots of quality players in their side, like Sebastian Larsson, Rasmus Elm, Kim Kallstrom and Ola Toivonen, but they are yet to show that they can take over the helm and drive the team.

Can they win it?

They have shown that they are capable of great performances, but too many attacks go through Ibrahimovic, which should not be the case with so many other talents out there.

For one, Larsson is one to look out for, with his performance at Sunderland putting him under the radar weekly.

He has proven that he has one of the sweetest strike on a freekick and his hardworking running is combined with that bit of flair that can unlock defences.

Toivonen has also proved his finishing skills at club level and have already been been linked with a move away from PSV Eindhoven.

Should they step up and shoulder the responsibility, Sweden have a very good chance of advancing far in the tournament next summer.

Best performance at European championships: Semi-finals (1992)