Larsson, Ibrahimovic hail "beautiful" goal

Sweden strikers Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic hailed the "beautiful" goal the latter scored to earn his side a 1-1 draw with Italy at Euro 2004 on Friday.

Ibrahimovic, his back to goal, somehow hooked the ball over Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon with just five minutes remaining.

"It was a great goal he scored and we were very pleased with the draw," Larsson said.

"We are happy we got this point and it was a beautiful goal. Zlatan deserved it, he is a great player." Ibrahimovic also described the goal as beautiful, though he admitted it was also a touch lucky.

"I scored a lucky goal, but it was also an incredible goal, the most beautiful and important goal, especially at a European Championship," he said. "The ball was coming in the air and we had practised one touch in front of goal but I was lucky."

Larsson felt the Swedes had deserved to salvage a draw.

"They are a very skilful Italian side but we were able to put them under pressure in the second half and were able to get the equaliser," he said.