Dutchman Beenhakker, who worked with Ibrahimovic at Ajax Amsterdam, now coaches the Caribbean country, who are appearing at their first-ever finals.

"Leo was my first real coach, he brought about my first transfer and gave me confidence and many opportunities," Ibrahimovic told a news conference on Thursday.

"He was more than a coach, he was also a friend and a special friend. So Saturday's game will be special also for me."

The Juventus striker is one of Sweden's trio of lethal attackers, so-called "Super Swedes" which also includes Barcelona's veteran striker, Henrik Larsson and Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg.

They manged a total of 20 goals in 10 matches in qualification for Germany, with Ibrahimovic netting eight times.

"It is not all about us, it is about the whole team and how the whole team plays," Ibrahimovic said.

But the importance of the trio was highlighted against Ireland in a friendly in March. Sweden lost 3-0 with Ljungberg missing and Ibrahimovic forced off early through injury.

Runners-up in 1958, Sweden finished second behind Croatia in qualifying. They finished top of a difficult group four years ago which included Argentina, only to lose in the second round on a golden goal against Senegal.

More recently, Sweden reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2004, going out on penalties to the Netherlands. Ibrahimovic, 24, missed one of the crucial spotkicks.

"I don't think about that. You can miss a penalty at any time," he said.

"It will not affect me if I find myself in the same position again. It's all about looking forward, not back.

After Trinidad & Tobago in Dortmund, Sweden face Paraguay in Berlin on June 15 and England in Cologne on June 20.