Ibrahimovic must inspire ageing Sweden to make an impression on Euro 2016

Full backs Mikael Lustig (Celtic) and Martin Olsson (Norwich City) are thus relatively young with both in their late-20s. In midfield, this theme continues with left-footer Kim Kallstrom and Sunderland’s Sebastian Larsson joining Turkey-born Erkan Zengin.

Deep-lying Pontus Wernbloom and Black Cats loanee Ola Toivonen both reach 30 during Euro 2016, while striking alternative Marcus Berge reaches the milestone in August.

The generation game

Last summer, Sweden’s Under-21 team became European champions, yet very few of that roster have managed to establish themselves in the senior setup.

There is, then, a generation gap of sorts about the Swedish. Looking to belie their relative youth are centre back Alexander Milosevic (24), midfield duo Oscar Lewicki and Oscar Hiljemark (both 23), winger Emil Forsberg (24), and a couple of forwards who have big boots to fill.

John Guidetti promised so much during spells with Feyenoord and Celtic while on Manchester City’s books, but has had to rebuild his career in Spain with provincial Galician fortress Celta Vigo. He’s yet to score in five senior Swedish caps.

Bordeaux’s Isaac Kiese Thelin, none in seven international outings, is very much deep in the shade cast by Ibrahimovic which emanates from the Parisian capital. Thelin’s transfer to Ligue 1 is yet to work out, but his chances under Willy Sagnol have been limited.

Struggling strikers

While Berg has been prolific for Panathinaikos in Greece, his return of a goal every four games for Sweden is not sufficient to make him a credible candidate either.

Toivonen, meanwhile, has flopped badly at the Stadium of Light with his arrival meant to herald a solution to linking midfield and attack. The burden really is squarely on the sizeable 6ft 5in shoulders of Zlatan when it comes to Sweden.

Olympiakos winger Jimmy Durmaz provides some light relief, chipping in with the odd goal from the flank alongside fellow wide outlet Erkan Zengin.

Where will Swedes run stop?

Drawn in a Euro 2016 finals pool, Group E, alongside Belgium, Italy and the Republic of Ireland, Sweden’s stage of elimination market makes for grim reading.

They’re odds-on at 10/11 to bow out during the group stage, but this Euros is in an expanded format with an extra knockout round. If Ibrahimovic can inspire them to be among the best third-placed nations, then taking the 7/4 on offer for them to be eliminated in the last 16 looks tempting.

Although he’s never scored a World Cup finals goal, this looks like being a last hurrah for Zlatan and, beyond the Euros, he may be bound for an exciting club future in the Premier League despite his advancing years.

Related

There’s much more Euro 2016 content to enjoy on Coral’s dedicated page.