Swedish newspapers hail 'Fredrik the Great'

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TOCKHOLM, June 16: Pictures of an ecstatic Freddie Ljungberg dominated today's front pages of Swedish newspapers after he scored the winning goal in Sweden's World Cup 1-0 Group B victory over Paraguay on Thursday.

With a banner headlines of ''Thanks Freddie'' and ''Fredrik The Great'', tabloid Aftonbladet lauded the midfielder whose last-minute header left Sweden close to the second round and eased much anguish after they drew 0-0 with Trinidad&Tobago.

The headlines of newspapers Svenska Dagbladet and Expressen both read ''Finally'' in celebration of the fact that Sweden, who had only scored two goals in six matches going into the game, had improved their scoring record.

Daily Dagens Nyheters' front page sported the headline ''Lovely Ljungberg'' while its sports section focused on the nerve-wracking wait for Sweden to score in the key game, carrying the headline ''Good Lord''.

''I want to kiss his (Ljungberg's) feet which never stop and his forehead which was there as the angst was bringing down the entire nation in cramps of anguish,'' the newspaper's columnist Johan Esk wrote.

Sweden could still be knocked out of the tournament on goal difference if they heavily lose their last game with England on Tuesday and Trinidad&Tobago beat Paraguay on the same day.

REUTERS