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EURO 2012 Match Report: Mediocre France punished by Sweden

Dian — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:52:30 +0000

Sweden 2 France 0

One of the last matches of the Euro 2012 group stage saw Sweden entertain France in Kiev in a game that didn’t matter to the Swedes, but was important to determine whether the French will face Italy or Spain in the quarterfinals.

Erik Hamren couldn’t use Johan Elmander and Rasmus Elm due to injuries, although both of them were on the bench. Laurent Blanc on the other hand had decided to leave Yohan Cabaye and Jeremy Menez outside the starting XI, thus giving a chance to Hatem Ben Arfa and Yann M’Vila to prove they’re worthy of first-team football.

Despite not having a chance to progress to the knockout stages, Sweden showed that they’ve not gone out for a stroll, and Ola Toivonen and Sebastian Larsson had chances to score within the first 5 minutes of the game.

It was Toivonen again who could have opened the scoring in the 10^th minute. Mexes made a mistake in defence, when he couldn’t head the ball away properly. The PSV striker took control and had only Hugo Lloris to beat, but his first touch wasn’t good and he let the ball run away from him. He still managed to get a shot in though, but it was from a very tight angle, and not surprisingly it went out for a goal kick.

Judging by the first 10 minutes of the game, it seemed like we are in for a treat. Sadly, that’s not exactly how things developed. France started controlling possession more and more, while the Swedes were trying to surprise their opponents with crosses and long balls. Gradually the game started becoming duller and duller, and it was only when Ben Arfa would occasionally try a long-distance shot that things would become interesting.

When referee Pedro Proença blew his whistle to signal the end of the first half, he made millions of viewers from across the globe very happy, I’m sure about that. A first half that started in such a promising way, but then became extremely boring opposite the expectations. Were there to be goals in the second part- we were about to find out soon.

The answer is yes, and it was Zlatan Ibrahimovic to open the scoring in the 54^th minute. Seb Larsson crossed from the right and the AC Milan striker caught it beautifully on the volley to make it 1-0 to his country. A truly magnificent strike that could even become the “Goal of the tournament”.

To be fair, it could have been France to score first, when in the 50^th minute Karim Benzema beat the offside trap and could have banged it in, but he was too slow to react and once the defenders closed him down all he could do was shoot wide of the target.

In the 58^th minute Ibrahimovic had another great chance to score, but this time Lloris saved. Kim Källström delivered a corner, the forward struck the ball but the goalkeeper got his fingertips to it and put it out for another corner.

From then on it was Les Bleus who dominated the game, but Samir Nasri and subs Florent Malouda , Jeremy Menez and Olivier Giroud missed some good opportunities.

And when everyone was expecting the game to finish 1-0, Sebastian Larsson decided he’s not happy with this result and scored another goal. Wilhelmsson made a run down the right, crossed the ball and Samuel Holmen’s volley hit the woodwork. The ball then ricochetted back off the crossbar and fell into the way of the Sunderland winger who had nothing else to do but smash the ball past the disorientated Lloris.

It was a great performance by Sweden, and had they played in the same way in their previous games, they could have easily gone through to the quarterfinals. Instead, they’re going to have to go back home now, while France will meet Spain in the last 8 round of the competition. But if Blanc’s men don’t step up their game, nothing positive will come out of it.

Sweden 2-0 France (HT 0-0)

Sports UN Man of the match: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (SWE)

SWEDEN (4-2-3-1): Isaksson, Granqvist, Mellberg, J. Olsson, M. Olsson, Svensson (77 Holmen), Kallstrom, Larsson, Ibrahimovic, Bajrami (46 Wilhelmsson), Toivonen (77 Wernbloom); Manager: Erik Hamren

FRANCE (4-5-1): Lloris, Debuchy, Rami, Mexès, Clichy, M’Vila (83 Giroud), Diarra, Ben Arfa (59’ Malouda), Nasri (76 Menez), Ribéry, Benzema; Manager: Laurent Blanc

Referee: Pedro Proença (POR)

Goals: Ibrahimovic 54, Larsson 90

Bookings: Svensson 70, Holmen 81; Mexes 68

EURO 2012 Match report: Shevchenko on fire for Ukraine, puts Sweden down

Dian — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:56:49 +0000

Ukraine 2 Sweden 1

Ukraine and Sweden had never faced each other in a competitive fixture before tonight, having met only 3 times in history- for 3 friendlies. Each team had won once and one game had finished as a draw, the goal difference being 2-2 so far. That’s why most fans and pundits expected a draw yet again, but everyone was proved wrong and Ukraine got a 2-1 victory they’d be delighted with.

But one man in particular impressed tonight- Andriy Shevchenko. The 35-year old bagged a brace and got the victory for his side. A very, very emotional moment for one of the world’s legendary strikers who’s nearing the end of his career. But as Gary Lineker tweeted during the game: “Wonderful moment inside the Shevchenko Stadium in the City of Shevchenko.”

But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves and do this step by step shall we?

It is interesting to note that Sweden head coach Erik Hamren had decided to use Markus Rosenberg as a lone striker, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic was playing behind him, with Ola Toivonen and Sebastian Larsson employed as wingers.

The only surprise in the Ukrainian team was the fact that Artem Milevskiy was left out of the starting 11, with Oleg Blokhin choosing to play Andriy Shevchenko and Andriy Voronin up front, Serhiy Nazarenko being the one playing behind the strikers.

The first 20 minutes of the match didn’t provide much excitement, as both teams were being very cautious and seemed to care more not to concede a goal, rather than score one. Ukraine had more possession, although the Swedes were the ones who seemed more likely to make something happen.

From the 35^th minute on the game became alive though, and it was the Ukrainians who had a chance to score. Voronin got the ball about 30 meters from Isaksson’s goal and unleashed a blistering shot, which was somehow saved by the Swedish goalkeeper.

The next opportunity came to the hosts again, when Andriy Yarmolenko shot from inside the box, but Isaksson and Andreas Granqvist somehow managed to block his attempt on goal and clear it out for a corner.

Sweden could have taken the lead in the 39^th minute, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw his header hit the post and go out for a goal-kick. This was more or less the last clear-cut chance of a first half that started slowly, but opened up in the last 15 minutes.

Thankfully, the second part started in the same way that the first ended. So it came as no surprise when Sweden opened the scoring, the goal coming from none other than Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 52^nd minute. Kim Kallstrom put in a low cross after some sloppy defending by the Ukraine players and the AC Milan striker had nothing left to do but put the ball behind Pyatov, 1-0 for Sweden.

Their lead lasted just three minutes though, as Andriy Yarmolenko crossed a ball in from the right and Shevchenko leapt ahead of Olof Mellberg to power past a helpless Andreas Isaksson from close range- 1-1.

But the former Chelsea striker wasn’t finished. Just 7 minutes later, in the 62^nd, he got another one. Konoplyanka swung in a corner, Shevchenko was the first to react at the near post and headed it in- 2-1 for Ukraine.

At that point Erik Hamren felt the need to change things around and rightly so, as his team appeared to be in a knock-down. In the span of 10 minutes he substituted the disappointing Toivonen, Larsson and Rosenber with Svensson, Wilhelmsson and Elmander. This seemed to have a positive effect and the Swedes had a number of chances to equalize.

Particularly important was the 89^th minute, when Ibrahimovic passed the ball to Elmander, who shot high and wide with only Pyatov to beat. In injury time Olof Mellberg could have equalized as well, but his shot couldn’t find the target.

That was also the last real chance in the match. Ukraine thoroughly deserved their win, they played their hearts out and have every reason to be proud of their performance. The times ahead of Sweden head coach Erik Hamren seem bad though, as it will be very difficult for his side to win their remaining two matches against England and France. And that seems to be the only way for them to make it through to the quarter finals, especially after this defeat to the hosts.

Sports UN Man of the match: Andriy Shevchenko (UKR)

Ukraine 2-1 Sweden (0-0 HT)

Ukraine (4-3-1-2): Pyatov, Selin, Khacheridi, Mikhalik, Tymoshchuk, Gusev, Yarmolenko, Nazarenko, Konoplyanka (90 Devic), Shevchenko (81 Milevskiy), Voronin (85 Rotan); Manager: Oleg Blokhin

Sweden (4-2-3-1): Isaksson, Lustig, Mellberg, Granqvist, M. Olsson, Elm, Larsson (68 Wilhelmsson), Källström, Ibrahimovic, Toivonen (62 Svensson), Rosenberg (71 Elmander); Manager: Erik Hamren

Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR)

Goals: 52 Ibrahimovic; 55 & 62 Shevchenko.

Bookings: 11 Kallstrom, 83 Elm.

EURO 2012: Sweden team profile

Michel — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:34:41 +0000

Sweden– Group D

Coach: Erik Hamren

Squad: Andreas Isaksson (PSV Eindhoven), Johan Wiland, (FC Copenhagen) Pär Hansson (Helsingborg).

Mikael Lustig (Celtic), Olof Mellberg(Olympiakos), Andreas Granqvist (Genoa), Martin Olsson, (Blackburn), Jonas Olsson (West Bromwich), Behrang Safari (Anderlecht), Mikael Antonsson (Bologna).

Rasmus Elm (AZ Alkmaar), Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland), Kim Kallstrom (Lyon), Anders Svensson (Elfsborg), Pontus Wernbloom (CSKA Moscow), Samuel Holmen (Istanbul BB), Emir Bajrami (Twente), Christian Wilhelmsson (al-Hilal)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan), Johan Elmander (Galatasaray), Tobias Hysen (IFK Gothenburg), Ola Toivonen (PSV Eindhoven), Marcus Rosenberg (Werder Bremen).

Likely Formation: 4-4-2

Prediction: Quarter-finals

The best result for the Blågult in a Euro Cup has been the semi-finals in the 1992 home edition. The team has reached the final stages of the competition only four times: the first time in 1992 as hosts of the event. The numbers show that the Scandinavians prefer the World Cup, with 11 participations and a second place.

This year Sweden have reached the Euro Championships after coming second in the Group E, behind the Netherlands and ahead of Hungary, Finland, Moldova and San Marino.

On the last matchday they even beat the Dutch selection to stop their 17 winning games streak and secure the pass to the Euros.

This year the number of players who play in Sweden has decreased from six to three when compared to the 2008 Europe Championship squad. Four are the Holland based players, lead by Andreas Isaksson, who should be the starting goalkeeper.

Olof Mellberg should be the rock of the defence. The Olympiacos defender is now 34 years old and has reached 113 caps with the national team and is at his fourth Euro Championship. Certainly not the quickest of defenders, but one coach Hamren can rely on. Martin and Jonas Olsson, who are not brothers, and Mikael Lustig should complete the defensive line. Anderlecht’s Behrang Safari could also receive a chance as left back.

In the midfield, coach Hamren can count on a well assembled mix of young and not-so-young players. Sunderland’s Sebastian Larsson could start on the right, Rasmus Elm and vice-captain Anders Svensson in the middle and Lyon’s Kim Källström on the right. Källström and Svensson will guarantee the experience of more than 200 caps while Larsson and Elm the excitement of, respectively, a second participation and a début at the Euro.

Kim Källström, with Mesut Özil, had seven assists during the qualifiers, more than anybody else and the Swedish side will definitely need his technique and talent if they want to survive the though group stage.

The star of this selection is, of course, Zlatan Ibahimovic. The giant striker is, in Sweden and in the rest of the world, a source of discussions and most of the people either love him or hate him. Ibrahimovic, despite declaring his intention to quit with the national team, is still there as the captain and beacon of the team. He has 77 caps and 31 goals for the Blågult and his performances will probably decide whether or not the team will move on. Often criticized for being decisive only against weaker sides, he will have to carry the team on his big shoulders. Ibrahimovic can play as the battering ram of the team but he also likes to drop in order to have more possession. He is able to create spaces and assists and therefore the team will need to insert in these spaces and get these passes, like Nocerino, for example, did during the last season with AC Milan.

Coach Hamren, however, will also be able to rely on Johan Elmander, who is recovering from an injury, and has been praised by Ibrahimovic for the quality he adds to the team. But that is not all: Tobias Hysén, six games and four goals in the qualifiers and 2012 Swedish top-scorer alongside Ibrahimovic, could also play a crucial part for the dynamics of the team.

Still the way to the quarter-finals will be hard for Sweden, considering that, on the paper, France and England seem to have something more than the Scandinavians. But football is not played on paper, but on the football pitch and it would not surprise me if one of the two stronger sides disappoint everybody in this competition and make Sweden’s path easier.

And, last but not least, they can also count on these fans:

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.