Larsson recalled to Sweden squad for Euro 2008

By Oliver Grassman

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Striker Henrik Larsson was a surprise inclusion in Sweden coach Lars Lagerback's 23-man squad for this year's European Championship announced on Tuesday.

The former Celtic, Barcelona and Manchester United striker had retired from the national team after their second round loss to hosts Germany at the 2006 World Cup.

Larsson has not played in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign but has been impressive in the Swedish league with six goals in 11 appearances for his club Helsingborg this season.

"We've been playing well in Helsinborg, playing in the UEFA Cup in the autumn and also playing good football in the Swedish league," Larsson said via telephone at a news conference.

"We've been playing football that has given me a taste for more... Football is so much fun. It's a joy."

Larsson added that he wanted to carry on playing for Sweden even after the championship in Austria and Switzerland.

FIVE STRIKERS

He is one of five strikers in the squad with Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Toulouse's Johan Elmander, Copenhagen veteran Marcus Allback and Werder Bremen's Markus Rosenberg.