Mellberg quits as Sweden captain

Stockholm:

Olof Mellberg will quit as Sweden captain while continuing to play for the national team. "I feel it's time to step down," Mellberg told the newspaper

Expressen's

web site. "I've had a lot of things to do with Aston Villa, a new manager, and we've had an addition to the family". Mellberg, a 28-year-old central defender who has made 68 international appearances, said he has notified Sweden manager Lars Lagerback. Sweden lost to Germany in the second round of the World Cup and will face Germany again in a friendly on in Gelsenkirchen August 16. (AP)