Zlatan in line for Olympic dream after youngsters advance

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be set to turn out for Sweden at the 2016 Olympics after a late equaliser against Portugal in the under-21 European Championship on Wednesday booked the Scandinavians' ticket to Rio de Janeiro.

Zlatan in line for Olympic dream after youngsters advance

(Reuters)





Simon Tibbling's 89th-minute strike earned the Swedes a 1-1 draw in the Czech Republic, a result which sent both sides to the semi-finals as well as securing their Olympic places.

With each team allowed to choose three over-age players in their 18-man Olympic squads, Zlatan's name is already top of the list for Swedish fans.

The Paris St Germain striker and senior national team captain has previously said that, although it might be difficult, he would be interested in representing Sweden in Brazil.

"It's all about how the situation looks at that point but if I have the chance to represent my Sweden at an Olympics, why not?" Ibrahimovic told the Sportbladet newspaper earlier this month.

"We'll have to see how the situation is... but if I'm available, absolutely," the 33-year-old added.

Sweden face Denmark in Prague on Saturday, with Portugal taking on Germany in Olomouc earlier in the day.

The final will take place in the Czech capital in June 30.





(Editing by John O'Brien)


Share

1 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world