Euro Glory Would Be So Swede

Mar 9 2008 By Gavin Berry

SUFFERING Swede Markus Rosenberg was forced to watch from the sidelines as Werder Bremen's UEFA Cup dream crashed in the semi-finals last season.

Now he wants to make sure the Bundesliga title hopefuls go one better and lift the trophy this time.

Rosenberg was cup-tied last term after signing from Ajax midway through the campaign.

The Dutch giants were one of the teams Bremen beat on their way to the last four before being thumped 5-1 on aggregate by Espanyol.

Now, speaking ahead of the return with Rangers in the Weser Stadium this week, striker Rosenberg is aiming to make up for that crushing blow.

He said: "We got through some difficult ties against Ajax and Alkmaar and want a similar run - but this time to go that extra step.

"We don't have a priority, the UEFA Cup and Bundesliga are equally important to us. We want to win as many trophies as possible.

"The problem is only when we play Thursday then Saturday as we are being forced to this week. That makes it difficult for us in the league but we should be fine for Europe."

Rosenberg grew up watching footage of Henrik Larsson starring for Celtic.

The frontman admits he doesn't see too much Scottish football now but is aware of the threat Rangers will pose in Germany.

Markus said: "I played with Henrik at the World Cup and for about three years before he retired from the Swedish national team.

"He spoke highly of Scottish football. I know the atmosphere at games in Scotland is incredible - I realised that at Ibrox in midweek.

It was a pleasure to play there."

Rosenberg is best known for his part in an infamous bust-up with Denmark's Christian Poulsen during a Euro 2008 qualifier last summer.

With the teams locked at 3-3 Sweden were awarded a penalty when Poulsen punched Rosenberg.

But the match was abandoned before the spot-kick could be taken after a Danish fan attacked the ref.

Rosenberg said: "I hope people don't only associate me with that game. It's over now and at Bremen my Danish team-mate Daniel Jensen is a good friend - he's just unhappy they missed out on Euro 2008."