Sweden's Hamrén wary of Croatia quality

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Injuries may have interrupted his plans, but Sweden coach Erik Hamrén is still relishing Wednesday’s friendly meeting with fellow UEFA EURO 2012 hopefuls Croatia, identifying the hosts as "a quality team, just like the ones we'll face at EURO".

Sweden will lock horns with England, France and co-hosts Ukraine in Group D this summer, and they will probably have to do so without Daniel Majstorovic after the Celtic FC defender suffered ligament damage in his left knee during a training session in Zagreb. That came after newcomer John Guidetti had already limped away from the training pitch clutching his hip, but while the Feyenoord striker has been passed fit to face Croatia, Majstorovic is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

"He's a fantastic person, which makes it all the more painful," said Hamrén, whose team doctor Leif Svärd has estimated an eight-month recovery period for the 34-year-old. Majstorovic contested nine of Sweden's ten UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers and Hamrén will have to select a replacement to partner Olof Mellberg in central defence at the Stadion Maksimir. Jonas Olsson is the obvious candidate after taking turns with Majstorovic alongside Mellberg during training.

Guidetti’s availability was confirmed after a scan, meanwhile, and he is set to make an eagerly anticipated debut. The 19-year-old has scored 18 goals in 16 Eredivisie outings for Feyenoord this term, spending the season on loan from Manchester City FC, and the buzz around the youngster echoes the rising excitement felt ten years ago when a young Zlatan Ibrahimović was picked for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

"Everything is just rolling along for him, but he's going to run into a wall at some point," commented Ibrahimović, now an undisputed pillar of the side and team captain. "It happened to me too. That’s when you need to show you can get back up again."

 

Related ItemsMajstorovic's EURO blowIsaksson's Q&A with youBilić expects stiff testIn profile: Erik HamrénIn focus ... SwedenGuidetti gets Sweden nodBilić selects friendly squadPearce faces Dutch testDel Bosque ponders formulaSorensen's pride at centuryTrapattoni sticks to formulaLöw looks for answersŠtajner back in spotlightGraft beats craft for GreeceJeleń eyes historic goalBlokhin's stern Ukraine turnPavlyuchenko ready for Denmark“Everything is just rolling along for him, but he's going to run into a wall at some pointZlatan Ibrahimović on John Guidetti”©UEFA.com 1998-2012. All rights reserved.

Last updated: 28/02/12 21.50CETRelated information  Player profilesJohn GuidettiFeyenoord - NetherlandsDaniel MajstorovicCeltic - Scotland Coach profilesErik HamrénSweden - Sweden Team profilesSwedenNext match: Croatia v Sweden 29/02/2012 CroatiaNext match: Croatia v Sweden 29/02/2012 http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/news/newsid=1761036.html#swedens+hamren+wary+croatia+quality

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Sweden's Majstorovic likely to miss EURO

Sweden centre-back Daniel Majstorovic is expected to miss UEFA EURO 2012 after suffering a serious knee injury at the end of today's training session in Zagreb.

Speaking at a post-training press conference ahead of tomorrow's friendly against Croatia, Sweden coach Erik Hamrén explained what had happened to the 34-year-old Celtic FC defender: "There was a minute left to play. Anders Svensson fell in a tussle with Zlatan [Ibrahimović], and at the same time Daniel went for the ball with his leg outstretched. Anders fell on Daniel's leg. I didn't think it was so serious because Daniel didn't say a word, but apparently it was."

Scans confirmed that Majstorovic, who played in nine of Sweden's ten EURO qualifiers, had torn knee ligaments. "It's painful for all of us, but most of all for Daniel," added Hamrén, a sentiment echoed by Ibrahimović who told UEFA.com: "It's awful news for Daniel. He's had enough injury problems already this season."

A Celtic statement said: "Daniel will stay in Sweden for the immediate future and will have an operation there soon. Celtic's medical team will be in close liaison with the [Sweden] medical team to ensure Daniel receives the best care. Unfortunately he will be out long term."

Majstorovic recently returned from a fractured cheekbone which kept him out for eight weeks.

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