IT'S fair to say that most Saints fans will sympathise with Anders Svensson following Sweden's Euro 2004 elimination.

In contrast to the Dutch, who had lost their previous four shoot-outs, Sweden had never been beaten that way.

Now that part of Scandinavia knows the heartache, the misery, of losing via the 12-yard lottery which are penalties.

It's not a nice feeling, and it doesn't get any easier to handle the more it happens.

Svensson would probably have taken a spot-kick had he still been on the pitch - instead he had been taken off after 80 minutes.

Euro 2004 was a mixed tournament for Anders, a competition which in many ways summed up his three-year St Mary's career.

There were brief periods of impressive play - setting up two of the goals in the 5-0 thrashing of Belgium, for example.

He also got forward a few times in the Holland match, firing the best chance of the first half against a defender's legs and also warming Edwin Van Der Sar's hands twice.

But like at Saints last season, he rarely managed to see out the 90 minutes and was dropped for the match against Denmark.

Indeed, Kim Kallestrom - who was briefly linked with Saints last summer - looked more dangerous when he came on for Svensson.

If only one of the two can play in the same side, Anders needs some impressive performances at Saints next season to keep ahead of Kallestrom.

Meanwhile, Saints fans were treated to another display of versatility by Mikael Nilsson against the Dutch.

Having started the tournament in his favoured right-sided midfield role against Bulgaria, Nilsson was forced to drop to right-back once Teddy Lucic went off injured after 40 minutes of that game.

On Saturday, due to Erik Edman's suspension, Nilsson was deployed at left-back.

Though it was an uncomfortable night at times against the likes of Arjan Robben and Andy Van Der Meyde, the Halmstads man was never completely embarrassed.

Indeed, if anyone was critical of his performance they only had to ask themselves this question - how many English right-sided midfielders would they be happy to see at left-back?

Nilsson only briefly managed to get forward, though he did swing over a good first-half cross with his 'wrong' left foot.

With Saints boss Paul Sturrock aiming to cover as many options as he can within his squad, don't be surprised to see Saints complete the signing of Nilsson, 26, sooner rather than later - despite Celtic's rumoured interest.