Standing out from the young talents is striker Lotta Schelin, who was Swedish Player of the Year for 2006 and is often compared to Swedish men's national team's counterpart Zlatan Ibrahimovic in terms of goal sense, guile and creativity.

"Schelin, with fast pace and excellent technique, poses great threat to China," Shang told Xinhua.

Sweden lost 1-0 to reigning Olympic champion the Unites States in a tune-up match in July. However, the team looked to be in a good form, creating more scoring chances in the game than the opponents.

"Our goal is a medal. We are not here just to play in the group," Svensson said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2008)