Between 1976 and 1981, Bjorn Borg won a record five Wimbledon titles and became so popular on these shores he became an honorary Brit.

Now there is another Swede aiming to make an impact on our sporting records.

Freddie Ljungberg will go down in history on Saturday if he scores at the Millennium Stadium against Southampton as the first player to get goals in three consecutive FA Cup finals.

In Sweden they will be watching with interest, particularly as Southampton also have a couple of their internationals as well, Anders and Michael Svensson.

One particularly interested TV viewer will be Lars Lagerback, who runs the Sweden team with Tommy Soderberg.

Ljungberg was part of the Swedish team that faced England in last summer's World Cup and Lagerback says the midfielder's talent shone through at an early age.

"Freddie is unique because he is very fast and can run for 90 minutes," explains the national team manager.

"Most players are fast or they have stamina. To have both is exceptional. When Freddie came through as a young player in Sweden, he was always regarded as one of our best talents."

Ljungberg scored in the 2001 final against Liverpool which Arsenal lost 2-1 but was able to collect a winners' medal after a goal in the 2-0 victory against Chelsea last year.

Such is the hero-worship for him at Highbury these days, it is difficult to believe his first season in the Premiership was viewed as a flop.

"That is when his character and strong personality came through," recalls Lagerback. "Of course, we encourage all our players in Sweden but there was no reason to take Freddie aside even when things were difficult because he has very good self-belief.

"I don't know if Freddie will be thinking about the record now but I think it would be a remarkable achievement. It is special to play in three Cup finals, let alone to score in all of them."

The diplomatic Lagerback agrees most Swedes will be cheering Freddie and Arsenal but points out that Southampton have a strong Scandinavian influence as well.

"Anders Svensson became a bit of a hero last summer because his free-kick against Argentina put us through," he says.

"We have a double-header against San Marino and Poland so my real wish is for a good cup final and no injuries for my players!"

Lars Lagerback was talking to Joe Bernstein

Other FA Cup Final trebles

BRIAN TALBOT (1978-80) - Won The FA Cup with different clubs in successive finals. Part of the Ipswich team that beat Arsenal 1-0 in 1978, but was wearing a Gunners shirt the following year when they defeated Manchester United 3-2. Also played in the 1980 final when they lost 1-0 to West Ham - still the last time a team outside the top flight won the FA Cup.

NEVILLE SOUTHALL (1984-86) - Kept goal in three successive finals but only won the first - a 2-0 victory against Watford in 1984. Big Nev's Everton were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United in 1985 and then 3-1 to Double-winning Liverpool in 1986

RYAN GIGGS (1994-96) - The Welsh wizard has already won eight championships and also played in three FA Cup Finals in a row, beating Chelsea 4-0 in 1994 and Liverpool in 1996; but shocked 1-0 against Everton in between.