HELSINGBORG, Sweden -- Magnus Norman heads Sweden's challenge against the Czech Republic as they return to the Davis Cup World Group this year full of confidence.

	Magnus Norman, the world's No. 5 player, will lead Sweden's return to the World Group as they face the Czech Republic in the first round.

Seven-time winners Sweden, who last won the competition in 1998 but were relegated for 2000 to the Euro/African Zonal Group, take on the Czech Republic on a carpet surface in front of a sell-out crowd in Helsingborg on Feb. 9-11.

"It looks really good. The players are healthy and full of confidence," a Swedish team official said.

The Swedes have been training at the venue in southern Sweden since Sunday.

World No. 5 Norman will play Jiri Novak and Thomas Johansson, 31st in the latest ATP rankings, will play Bohdan Ulihrach in singles on Friday. While Jonas Bjorkman and Niclas Kulti will team up for the doubles Saturday against Novak and David Rikl.

"Norman looks strong and any five-set match will not be easy for his opponent," Swedish captain Carl-AxelHageskog said.

"Johansson is playing with more stability than before, he is moving better and has stepped up the pace of his game."

Ulihrach, ranked 16th in the ATP Champions race, will lead the Czechs bid to reach the second round for only the second time in the past five years.

Novak is coming off an injury while Rikl is a doubles specialist.

The Czechs last faced Sweden in 1996 when the Swedes won 4-1 in the semifinals.