May 12, 2002

STOCKHOLM, May 12 (AFP) -- Key players for Group F contenders Sweden at World Cup:

HENRIK LARSSON
Age: 30
Position: Forward
Club: Celtic (Sco)
Born in 1971, Larsson began his professional career with Hogabog before joining hometown team, Helsingborgs.
At the age of 21 he was signed by Wim Jansen, coach of Dutch giants Feyenoord, and his early performances earned him a call-up for Sweden.
He followed Jansen to Celtic early in 1998 and recovered from a slow start to net 16 goals in 35 league outings as the Scottish club's main striker.
Things got even better the following season (1998/99) when he was named Scottish Player of the Year for the first time and scored 29 times in 35 appearances.
But disaster struck during the following campaign when when he broke his leg in two places after 19 minutes of a UEFA Cup match against French club Lyon.
Although the break was bad enough to keep Larsson out of action for the rest of the domestic season, he was back to represent Sweden at Euro 2000.
It was Larssons goals that fired Celtic to their trophy treble in the 2000/01 campaign and although not as consistent, he was a key figure in them retain the Scottish championship this year.

FREDDIE LJUNGBERG
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder
Club: Arsenal (Eng)
Joined Arsenal in 1998 after making 139 appearances for Sweden's Halmstad
He made the best possible start, notching up a debut goal against Manchester United after just five minutes in an Arsenal shirt.
Instantly recognisable for his outrageous hairstyles, Ljungberg has been a key member of Arsenal's challenge for honours this season.
Aside from his incredible work rate, he has an incredible knack of scoring goals in important matches.
He times his runs into opposing penalty boxes to perfection and is not afraid to help out his backline when under pressure.
Ljungberg is equally at home on the wing or in the centre of midfield.
Notable strikes include the FA Cup Final goal at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in May 2001, although it was eclipsed by Michael Owen's late double for winners Liverpool.

PATRIK ANDERSSON
Age: 30
Position: Defender
Club: Barcelona (Spa)
Sweden's captain, Andersson is a strong leader who never shirks a tackle.
He is probably Sweden's most successful export and was a Champions League winner with German giants Bayern Munich before being transferred to Barcelona.
Andersson started his career with Bjarreds IF, before moves to Malmo, Blackburn Rovers and then Borussia Monchengladbach in 1993.
He became a regular in the starting line-up and celebrated the club's 1995 German Cup victory.
Made his international debut in January 1992 against Australia and was a key member of the Sweden teams that reached the semi-finals of Euro 92 and USA
In July 2001 Andersson's career took another twist when he clinched a 5 million pound move to Spain, signing a three-year deal.
Andersson, who has played for Sweden on over 80 occasions, tore his knee ligaments in February but is predicted to be ready in time for the finals.