It's Group D and this encounter is the top-of-the-table clash. Both Sweden and Spain have won their opening matches. Sweden 2-0 against the reigning champions Greece and Spain...oof, 4-1 against Russia (with a David Villa hat-trick too).
As a result of a good start to their respective opening matches, either sides could wrap up a place in the quarter-finals with a match to go. This match is a case of familarity breeds...respect. Both were in the same qualifying group and so, knowing each other inside out. And especially for Sweden's veteran striker Henrik Larsson, he used to play in the La Liga for Barcelona and any information about the players in the Spanish national team will be greatly valued.
After Sweden's opening match against Greece, it has been confirmed that Sweden right-back Niclas Alexandersson will miss this one against Spain. Coming into this match, there's one interesting incident out of the Spanish camp. It's in the form of Spain coach Luis Aragones laughing off photos out of Swedish newspaper showing Sergio Ramos in disco with a Sweden fan. He reacted in that way given he brushed off suggestions his side were not taking the tournament seriously.
For Sweden captain Freddie Ljunberg, his team will be looking to keep things tight and punish Spain on the counter-attack. Spain had been impressive in their opener. As for Spain, they are wary of the twin threat posed by Sweden's strike pairing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson.
We have Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic who scored quite a stunner against Greece and Spain's David Villa who had a hat-trick against Russia. But then Spain is more than just Villa. They have other good strikers too. Will Swedish defenders be able to stop the Spainish offence is another question.
A win for either side will see the team qualify for the quarter-finals with a match to go. And Innsbruck, Austria will be the setting.
