This has not prevented the powerful central defender from being a stylish ever-present in the national side.

His command of the Swedish defence helped it to be almost impregnable during the qualifying campaign.

Sweden's swift counter-attacking moves are often started by Andersson's long passes from the back, which rarely fail to find their target.

He has won 73 caps and scored two goals since his debut against Australia in 1992.

In playing for Sweden he has maintained family tradition. His father Roy was an international during the 1970s.