Larsson keen to regain place

Larssen's goals and energy are crucial to Sweden

BBC Sport Online's Pete Lansley was in Brussels on Friday to catch Sweden's press conference.

Henrik Larsson is set to complete a remarkable recovery from injury by playing the wild-card role for 'boring' Sweden in their Euro 2000 opener with Belgium.

The Celtic striker, who was seemingly ruled out of these championships after breaking his leg against Lyon last October, has only had two 25-minute run-outs of first-team football since then.

But Sweden, labouring under their defensive methods, are desperate for his flair and goal power.

"I feel fit and I feel good. We've been training a lot and Iżve felt no problems. I haven't been playing that much this season so I feel fresh," the 28-year-old marksman said.

"You can't say whether that is an advantage until after the tournament."

Larsson: I'm ready

Larsson, who top-scored in a qualifying campaign when Sweden finished above England, gave a starring performance when coming on as a substitute in last week's 1-1 draw with Spain.

Swedish goalkeeper Magnus Hedman said: "It's important to have him as a player and as a team-mate. I said before, when we all thought he was out of the finals, how much we'd miss him so now he's here, it's good.

"If he can score a few goals as well, even better. He's got experience, scores goals, he's quick and his record for Celtic speaks for itself."

Amazing recovery

Co-manager Lars Lagerback praised the player's powers of recovery. "He's done a remarkable job and there's been no sign of him even getting tired so I'm really impressed with him.

"He's looking really good, especially considering he's been out for seven months."

He's done a remarkable job and there's no sign of him even getting tired

Lars Lagerback

Just as so many teams seem to be losing, or in fear of losing, their main striker - Raul for Spain, Shearer for England, Vieri for Italy, Van Nistelrooy for Holland - Larsson's return could be the catalyst this goal-shy Swedish team need.

The opening round games against Belgium, Turkey and Italy are unlikely to be open flowing games.

Sweden have mustered five goals in seven games since qualifying for these finals, and never more than once in a game.

It's not a risk putting him in, more an advantage

Petra Thoren

Petra Thoren, who writes for the Swedish national newspaper Aftonbladet, said: "I think he will come on as a substitute, as the joker who can turn the game.

"He is very important mentally because he raises the confidence level of the whole team.

"It's not a risk putting him in, more an advantage. We saw him play against Spain and he was actually the best on the field.

"We had a vote in our paper and our readers said they wanted to see more goals, that the team were a bit boring. That's why they like Henrik Larsson so much because he's a goal-getter."