Football
Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 8y

Jordan Larsson, son of Henrik Larsson, makes Sweden Olympic team

Henrik Larsson's son Jordan has been included in Sweden's 18-man squad for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, giving the promising forward a first chance to shine on the international stage.

The 19-year-old Jordan Larsson plays for his father's old Swedish club Helsingborg, which the former Celtic and Barcelona striker now manages. He has scored five goals in 13 games this season, which included a stunning diving header last weekend that was eerily reminiscent of Henrik's famous goal for Sweden against Bulgaria at Euro 2004.

He has yet to play for Sweden's senior team, but said he looked forward to representing the country at the Olympics.

"I have always wanted to go to Brazil. Not a lot of players get a chance to play in the Olympics so it will be incredibly fun and a great experience that you will always remember," Jordan told Helsingborg's website.

Jordan Larsson was one of three forwards included by Sweden coach Hakan Ericson, along with Mikael Ishak of Danish club Randers and Muamer Tankovic of AZ Alkmaar.

Sweden qualified for the Olympics by winning the Under-21 European Championship last summer, but could struggle to replicate that success in Brazil after Ericson said 52 players had to turn down a call-up because their clubs would not release them. The Olympic tournament is not part of the official FIFA calendar, meaning clubs don't have to allow players to take part.

Even of the three overage players included in Ericson's squad, attacking midfielder Astrit Ajdarevic has never played a senior international before.

Ericson bemoaned the fact that the Swedish league -- which runs from April to November -- isn't taking a break during the Olympics, and said most players he asked were disappointed not to go.

"No one has said they don't want to come because we may not have the best team. There have been some players who were close to tears when their clubs said they wouldn't release them," Ericson said.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had been included on Sweden's preliminary 35-man list for the tournament but announced at the European Championship last month that he was retiring from internationals and would not play in Brazil.

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