We extend the approach of Banks, Myerson, and Kogut for the calculation of
the Wilson loop in lattice U(1) to the non-abelian SU(2) group. The origina
l degrees of freedom of the theory are integrated out, new degrees of freed
om are introduced in several steps. The centre group Z(2) enters automatica
lly through the appearance of a field strength tensor f(mu nu), which takes
on the values 0 or 1 only. It obeys a linear field equation with the loop
current as source. This equation implies that f(mu nu) is non vanishing on
a two-dimensional surface bounded by the loop, and possibly on closed surfa
ces. The two-dimensional surfaces have a natural interpretation as strings
moving in euclidean time. In four dimensions we recover the dual Abrikosov
string of a type II superconductor, i.e, an electric string encircled by a
magnetic current. In contrast to other types of monopoles found in the lite
rature, the monopoles and the associated magnetic currents are present in e
very configuration. With some plausible, though not generally conclusive: a
rguments we are directly led to the area law for large loops.