Lightning struck five times for the Swedish squad as all three of the team's strikers scored to lift the Scandinavian nation to a 5-0 victory over Bulgaria and the top spot in Group C of the Euro 2004.

　　A pair of sublime strikes from Henrik Larsson and goals by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Allback as well as midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg propelled the Vikings past Bulgaria on Monday for only their third European Championship victory in history.

　　Having all of its strikers find the back of the net was a huge boost for the Swedish side's confidence.

　　"It means a lot to the team," said Lars Lagerback, who co-coaches Sweden with Tommy Soderberg. "It will raise the players' assurance. It could make a difference in the rest of the tournament."

　　Larsson, who had left international soccer after a disappointing 2002 World Cup campaign, marked his comeback by scoring two goals within 71 seconds, in the 57th and 58th minutes, at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon. Ljungberg, the Arsenal playmaker, had given his team a first-half lead.

　　Larsson scored his goal when Ljungberg put Erik Edman away down the left. When the fullback curled in a well-flighted cross, Larsson dived to head the ball powerfully inside the far post.

　　The Swedish fans were still celebrating when Larsson struck little more than a minute later.

　　Christian Wilhelmsson pushed the ball down the right to Tobias Linderoth who flighted a cross toward the far post. Larsson was waiting again and slid in to scoop the ball into the roof of the net from a tough angle.

　　Ibrahimovic added the fourth goal on a penalty kick 12 minutes from the end and Allback netted the fifth in the final minute.

　　The penalty kick was intended for Larsson, but the former Celtic striker allowed Ibrahimovic to take it in his place, even though it might have cost him a hat trick.

　　"Henke (Henrik) said I could do it," Ibrahimovic said. "It's always good to score. It's good for my confidence. I tried not to think of anything and clear my head as I kicked it. I just tried to stay calm.

　　"I got it in and that's good for me and the rest of the tournament."

　　Larsson's generous gesture was appreciated by his coaches.

　　"I was surprised that Zlatan took the penalty. It was supposed to go to Henrik," Lagerback said. "It shows how big Henrik's character is. He understands how important it is for strikers to score.

　　"The goal could really have an impact on Zlatan and the rest of his tournament."

　　With the penalty shot, Ibrahimovic was rewarded for his own selfless gesture that allowed Ljungberg to score the opening goal.

　　The goal was initiated by Mikael Nilsson in the 32nd. Nilsson passed the ball to Ibrahimovic along the right flank, allowing him to beat Bulgaria's offside trap and bring goalkeeper Zdravko Zdravkov to his side before sending the ball across the goal mouth for Ljungberg to score.

　　The move surprised many who are more accustomed to Ibrahimovic's individualistic attitude.

　　So was Ljungberg expecting that Ibrahimovic would pass to him?

　　"No, I mean, well yes," Ljungberg stumbled. "It was a good pass and a good thing to do. I was a little worried because the ground was bumpy and the ball was bouncing around and I was afraid I would kick it over the cross bar but I got it in.

　　"It was good team work."

　　And it was all down to the two coaches, 120,000 petitioners and a young boy who made Larsson change his mind.

　　"I'm happy I managed to score, but the important thing is the team and that we got three points," the 32-year-old said. "I felt old in the last 20 minutes of the game. But I am glad I came back."

　　Larsson, who has scored 26 goals in 74 matches, had left international soccer after a disappointing 2002 World Cup campaign.

　　At first he turned down pleas from Lagerback and Soderberg, as well as a petition launched by the Swedish daily Aftonblatet - signed by 120,000 fans - beseeching him to return to the national team for Euro 2004.

　　But Larsson finally changed his mind for the same reason he left: his son Jordan.

　　Larsson said he decided to quit international soccer after the last World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan because his son, 4 years old at the time, used to cry when he went away to competitions and training camp.

　　But now a mature 6-year-old, Jordan dismissed Larsson's sacrifice, demanding to know why his father wasn't going to be at the Euro 2004 tournament.

　　"He said to me, 'Why aren't you playing'?" Larsson said. "So I returned."

　　(The Associated Press)