Did you know that …

… Tuesday’s International is the first for the Swedish National team against Iran. The opponent is thereby the 90th nation to meet  Sweden in international matches .

September 11, 2012. Johan Elmander at Swedbank Stadion in Malmö against Kazakhstan.

… Iran has participated in four World Cup finals. The team has only managed to win  one game (against the United States in Lyon in 1998) and has not yet managed to advance from the group stage sometime.

… Iran between 1968 and 1976 won the AFC Asian Cup (Formerly Asian Nation Cup)  on three consecutive occasions. The team has also become bronze medalist four times in the tournament.

… Against Asian opposition, Sweden has won 26 out of  46 internationals.

… Against Asian nations Johan Elmander has scored five goals.

… The first meeting with the new national team opponents usually have taken place on neutral ground or away from home. Against 34 of the 89 nations the first international have been played in Sweden. The last time this occurred was against Kazakhstan in September 2012. Total is Iran today after 63 opponents on Swedish soil.

… When the referees were Dutch in 61 matches for the Swedish team , these matches have resulted in 21 Swedish wins.

… Before today’s match has been played three internationals with Swedish participation at today’s date on 31 March. These caps have resulted in two wins and a draw match with a goal difference of 3-1.

… The three Swedish national team objectives March 31 has been made by Peter Truedsson, Fredrik Ljungberg and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Joakim Nilsson’s national team debuted birthday.

… the first time the Swedish national team was involved in a penalty shootout was 31 March 1988. Directly at the final whistle, without extension, took Sweden to the final of the European Championships by defeating the host nation West Germany with 4- 2 in the shootout.

… Three Swedish internationals born on today’s date March 31, Rolf Svensson who today would have turned 93 years, Joakim Nilsson today fills 49 years old and Matias Concha who today turns 35 years.

… A national team has debuted in the national team on 31 March. Joakim Nilsson away against West Germany in 1988. He is one of four internationals who debuted in the national team on his birthday.