STOCKHOLM - There were more than a few raised eyebrows when Sweden turned to Denmark's Jon Dahl Tomasson to become their national team coach, but the path will be smoothed by his choice of talismanic Sweden midfielder Sebastian Larsson as his assistant.

The new era kicks off with a friendly away to Euro 2024 finalists Portugal on Thursday before the Swedes take on Albania in Stockholm on Monday - and former Malmo manager Tomasson said he had put some tough battles with Larsson, who played in midfield for AIK, behind him.