I’ve put France on map, claims Ibrahimovic

Denmark’s Thomas Kahlenberg and Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic fight for the ball during their Euro 2016 qualifier play-off first leg match at the Friends arena in Stockholm, Sweden, yesterday.

Sweden coach Erik Hamren accepts his team can not exclusively rely on Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their Euro 2016 qualification play-off with neighbours Denmark.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker was not at last year’s World Cup after Sweden failed to qualify, losing out to Portugal in the play-offs, and his nation now face a crucial two-legged contest in a bid to reach the tournament in France. “That said, I am disappointed that we conceded”. “Absolutely. I have played now in France, this is my fourth season and I had a fantastic time”.

A place at next summer’s finals is the prize for the victors.

“I am delighted with the victory – and it feels good to get the win because we have been lacking big results in recent games”, he said.

“I would love to play at the European [Championship] in France”, Ibrahimovic told reporters. “Now we have one match out of the way and we won, at home”, he said. “I’m very happy for that”. Zlatan will have a huge role to play in the game as he is the linchpin of the Swedish side and he has the unfortunate record of never scoring against the Danes.

But Robbie Brady’s 81st-minute strike, combined with a few determined defending, saw them return to Dublin’s Lansdowne Road with a vital away goal, although there was still time on Friday for Bosnia’s Edin Dzeko to equalise.

Katanec’s side merit respect but the Federation Internationale de Football Association rankings (Slovenia are 64th against Ukraine in 36th) suggest they have a significant gap to bridge against Ukraine, who won six and lost only one of their eight group games discounting their two defeats against group C winners Spain.