Euro 2004
- Thread starter KsYaS
- Start date
Sweden and Denmark have promised to attack in their final Group C game at the Est?dio do Bessa S?culo XXI in Porto on Tuesday, even though a draw could be enough to see both through to the last eight.
Swedes top
Sweden, who lead the group ahead of Denmark on goal difference, will definitely progress with a point against their Scandinavian neighbours, while a high-scoring draw would suffice for both sides no matter how many goals Italy score against Bulgaria in Guimar?es.
'Honest people'
Denmark coach Morten Olsen has emphatically dismissed murmurings from the Italy camp that the two teams might engineer a 2-2 draw, saying: "That's a ridiculous thing to say. We are honest people and both teams will go out looking to win the match."
Attacking formation
Olsen is set to back up those words by sticking with an attack-minded 4-2-3-1 formation that has served Denmark well in their opening two matches. The Danes are the only side yet to concede a goal in Portugal and their back four will remain unchanged for the third time running, with Thomas Helveg and Niclas Jensen flanking central defenders Ren? Henriksen and Martin Laursen.
Poulsen option
FC Schalke 04 midfield player Christian Poulsen is in contention for a place alongside Thomas Gravesen in the centre, but Olsen is expected to opt for the more inventive Daniel Jensen, who excelled against Italy before having a quiet match against Bulgaria.
Flank threat
Jesper Gr?nkj?r, an early substitute against Bulgaria following Dennis Rommedahl's thigh injury, is likely to start, even though the PSV Eindhoven winger should recover in time. Gr?nkj?r, who proved his fitness by scoring an injury-time goal on Friday, would play on the right with Martin J?rgensen on the left, although the pair will look to pose problems by switching flanks regularly.
1992 bout
Sweden were victorious the last time these countries met in a UEFA European Championship back in 1992. Sweden, the hosts on that occasion, prevailed 1-0 in the group stage but the Danes famously went on to win the tournament, overcoming a strong Germany side in the final.
Two changes
Co-coaches Tommy S?derberg and Lars Lagerb?ck are set to make two changes to the side that secured a dramatic 1-1 draw with Italy. Tobias Linderoth misses out on a midfield tussle with Everton FC team-mate Gravesen due to suspension. Celtic FC defender Johan Mj?llby is the leading candidate to step into the midfield holding role, although Petter Hansson and centre-half Andreas Jakobsson are also in contention.
K?llstr?m hopeful
Mikael Nilsson will continue to deputise for the injured Teddy Lucic at right-back, meaning that RSC Anderlecht's Christian Wilhelmsson starts again on the right of midfield. Fredrik Ljungberg will play on the left, while Stade Rennais FC playmaker Kim K?llstr?m is hoping to get the nod ahead of Anders Svensson. K?llstr?m said: "I feel I am closer now to the starting eleven than I ever have been."
?Fantastic player?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson will continue an attacking partnership that has yielded four goals already, and Lagerb?ck is predicting more magic from the AFC Ajax player after his acrobatic late equaliser against Italy. "He's a fantastic player," said the coach. "You just never know what he is going to do, and the good news is that he will only get better."
Denmark (probable): S?rensen; Helveg, Laursen, Henriksen, N Jensen; Gravesen, D Jensen, Tomasson; Gr?nkj?r, Sand, J?rgensen.
Sweden (probable): Isaksson; Nilsson, Mellberg, Jakobsson, Edman; Wilhelmsson, Mj?llby/Hansson, K?llstr?m/Svensson, Ljungberg; Ibrahimovic, Larsson.
Referee: Markus Merk (Ger).
Swedes top
Sweden, who lead the group ahead of Denmark on goal difference, will definitely progress with a point against their Scandinavian neighbours, while a high-scoring draw would suffice for both sides no matter how many goals Italy score against Bulgaria in Guimar?es.
'Honest people'
Denmark coach Morten Olsen has emphatically dismissed murmurings from the Italy camp that the two teams might engineer a 2-2 draw, saying: "That's a ridiculous thing to say. We are honest people and both teams will go out looking to win the match."
Attacking formation
Olsen is set to back up those words by sticking with an attack-minded 4-2-3-1 formation that has served Denmark well in their opening two matches. The Danes are the only side yet to concede a goal in Portugal and their back four will remain unchanged for the third time running, with Thomas Helveg and Niclas Jensen flanking central defenders Ren? Henriksen and Martin Laursen.
Poulsen option
FC Schalke 04 midfield player Christian Poulsen is in contention for a place alongside Thomas Gravesen in the centre, but Olsen is expected to opt for the more inventive Daniel Jensen, who excelled against Italy before having a quiet match against Bulgaria.
Flank threat
Jesper Gr?nkj?r, an early substitute against Bulgaria following Dennis Rommedahl's thigh injury, is likely to start, even though the PSV Eindhoven winger should recover in time. Gr?nkj?r, who proved his fitness by scoring an injury-time goal on Friday, would play on the right with Martin J?rgensen on the left, although the pair will look to pose problems by switching flanks regularly.
1992 bout
Sweden were victorious the last time these countries met in a UEFA European Championship back in 1992. Sweden, the hosts on that occasion, prevailed 1-0 in the group stage but the Danes famously went on to win the tournament, overcoming a strong Germany side in the final.
Two changes
Co-coaches Tommy S?derberg and Lars Lagerb?ck are set to make two changes to the side that secured a dramatic 1-1 draw with Italy. Tobias Linderoth misses out on a midfield tussle with Everton FC team-mate Gravesen due to suspension. Celtic FC defender Johan Mj?llby is the leading candidate to step into the midfield holding role, although Petter Hansson and centre-half Andreas Jakobsson are also in contention.
K?llstr?m hopeful
Mikael Nilsson will continue to deputise for the injured Teddy Lucic at right-back, meaning that RSC Anderlecht's Christian Wilhelmsson starts again on the right of midfield. Fredrik Ljungberg will play on the left, while Stade Rennais FC playmaker Kim K?llstr?m is hoping to get the nod ahead of Anders Svensson. K?llstr?m said: "I feel I am closer now to the starting eleven than I ever have been."
?Fantastic player?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson will continue an attacking partnership that has yielded four goals already, and Lagerb?ck is predicting more magic from the AFC Ajax player after his acrobatic late equaliser against Italy. "He's a fantastic player," said the coach. "You just never know what he is going to do, and the good news is that he will only get better."
Denmark (probable): S?rensen; Helveg, Laursen, Henriksen, N Jensen; Gravesen, D Jensen, Tomasson; Gr?nkj?r, Sand, J?rgensen.
Sweden (probable): Isaksson; Nilsson, Mellberg, Jakobsson, Edman; Wilhelmsson, Mj?llby/Hansson, K?llstr?m/Svensson, Ljungberg; Ibrahimovic, Larsson.
Referee: Markus Merk (Ger).
Italy are only 90 minutes away from an early exit from UEFA EURO 2004 as they prepare to take on Bulgaria in their final Group C match in Guimar?es.
In need of a favour
Nothing less than a handsome victory at the Est?dio Afonso D. Henriques will suffice for Giovanni Trapattoni's side, and even at that, they will need a favour from either Denmark or Sweden in the other fixture if they are progress to the quarter-finals. A win for Italy, plus a decisive outcome in the Scandinavian derby, would secure second place for the Azzurri, as would a goalless encounter; but a high-scoring draw at the Est?dio do Bessa in Porto would send Italy out on goal difference.
Options restricted
The stakes could not be higher and Trapattoni knows his team have to produce a convincing win against Bulgaria. However, his options are restricted as three of his players ? attacking midfield player Francesco Totti, centre-back Fabio Cannavaro and midfield player Gennaro Gattuso ? are suspended.
Three-pronged attack
FC Internazionale defender Marco Materazzi or Parma AC's Matteo Ferrari will replace Cannavaro. Stefano Fiore and Mauro Camoranesi will battle it out for a midfield berth alongside Andrea Pirlo and Simone Perrotta, while AS Roma forward Antonio Cassano will continue to deputise for his club-mate, Totti, in a three-pronged attack along with Alessandro Del Piero and Christian Vieri.
All about pride
For Bulgaria, this match is all about pride. Plamen Markov's young side are already out of the competition, having lost their first two fixtures to Sweden (5-0) and Denmark (2-0). The frustration of their early exit clearly got the better of them at the end of the Denmark game, resulting in a red card for captain Stilian Petrov along with a rash of yellow cards.
First start
The Celtic FC midfield player is therefore ineligible for the match, along with centre-back Rosen Kirilov, who picked up a second booking against the Danes. AEK Athens FC midfield player Milen Petkov is expected to deputise for Petrov, while Predrag Pazin has recovered from injury and will patrol the centre of defence along with Zlatomir Zagoric, the PFC Litex Lovech defender who makes his first start in the tournament.
Ivanov doubt
There is a doubt over the fitness of right-back Vladimir Ivanov, who is nursing a sore hamstring, but Markov is confident that he will be ready. Ilian Stoyanov, the PFC Levski Sofia defender who started at centre-half against the Danes, will move to left-back to cover for the injured Ivailo Petkov, while Zoran Jankovic and Dimitar Berbatov will continue their partnership up front looking for that elusive first goal.
'No tension'
The Bulgaria coach said: "There is no tension between the coach and the players. Of course, our results have not been good but there is no particular tension [among the players] over the reception back home. I'm prepared to answer my critics over [selection] choices after the match against Italy."
Italy (probable): Buffon; Panucci, Nesta, Materazzi/Ferrari, Zambrotta; Fiore/Camoranesi, Pirlo, Perrotta, Del Piero; Cassano, Vieri.
Bulgaria (probable): Zdravkov; Ivanov/ Borimirov, Pazin, Zagorcic, Stoyanov; Peev, Hristov, M Petkov, M Petrov; Jankovich, Berbatov.
Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Rus).
In need of a favour
Nothing less than a handsome victory at the Est?dio Afonso D. Henriques will suffice for Giovanni Trapattoni's side, and even at that, they will need a favour from either Denmark or Sweden in the other fixture if they are progress to the quarter-finals. A win for Italy, plus a decisive outcome in the Scandinavian derby, would secure second place for the Azzurri, as would a goalless encounter; but a high-scoring draw at the Est?dio do Bessa in Porto would send Italy out on goal difference.
Options restricted
The stakes could not be higher and Trapattoni knows his team have to produce a convincing win against Bulgaria. However, his options are restricted as three of his players ? attacking midfield player Francesco Totti, centre-back Fabio Cannavaro and midfield player Gennaro Gattuso ? are suspended.
Three-pronged attack
FC Internazionale defender Marco Materazzi or Parma AC's Matteo Ferrari will replace Cannavaro. Stefano Fiore and Mauro Camoranesi will battle it out for a midfield berth alongside Andrea Pirlo and Simone Perrotta, while AS Roma forward Antonio Cassano will continue to deputise for his club-mate, Totti, in a three-pronged attack along with Alessandro Del Piero and Christian Vieri.
All about pride
For Bulgaria, this match is all about pride. Plamen Markov's young side are already out of the competition, having lost their first two fixtures to Sweden (5-0) and Denmark (2-0). The frustration of their early exit clearly got the better of them at the end of the Denmark game, resulting in a red card for captain Stilian Petrov along with a rash of yellow cards.
First start
The Celtic FC midfield player is therefore ineligible for the match, along with centre-back Rosen Kirilov, who picked up a second booking against the Danes. AEK Athens FC midfield player Milen Petkov is expected to deputise for Petrov, while Predrag Pazin has recovered from injury and will patrol the centre of defence along with Zlatomir Zagoric, the PFC Litex Lovech defender who makes his first start in the tournament.
Ivanov doubt
There is a doubt over the fitness of right-back Vladimir Ivanov, who is nursing a sore hamstring, but Markov is confident that he will be ready. Ilian Stoyanov, the PFC Levski Sofia defender who started at centre-half against the Danes, will move to left-back to cover for the injured Ivailo Petkov, while Zoran Jankovic and Dimitar Berbatov will continue their partnership up front looking for that elusive first goal.
'No tension'
The Bulgaria coach said: "There is no tension between the coach and the players. Of course, our results have not been good but there is no particular tension [among the players] over the reception back home. I'm prepared to answer my critics over [selection] choices after the match against Italy."
Italy (probable): Buffon; Panucci, Nesta, Materazzi/Ferrari, Zambrotta; Fiore/Camoranesi, Pirlo, Perrotta, Del Piero; Cassano, Vieri.
Bulgaria (probable): Zdravkov; Ivanov/ Borimirov, Pazin, Zagorcic, Stoyanov; Peev, Hristov, M Petkov, M Petrov; Jankovich, Berbatov.
Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Rus).
TEAM NEWS
Denmark winger Dennis Rommedahl is doubtful with a hip injury, so Jesper Gronkjaer is likely to step in.
Midfielder Tobias Linderoth is suspended, and is likely to be replaced by Kim Kallstrom.
Injured right-back Teddy Lucic is out for Sweden, so midfielder Mikael Nilsson is set to stay in defence after playing there against the Italians.
Christian Wilhelmsson is likely to retain his position on the right hand side of midfield.
Denmark (probable): Sorensen, Helveg, Laursen, Henriksen, Jensen, Gravesen, Tomasson, Jensen, Gronkjaer, Sand, Joergensen
Sweden (probable): Isaksson, Nilsson, Mellberg, Jakobsson, Edman, Wilhelmsson, Kallstrom, Svensson, Ljungberg, Ibrahimovic, Larsson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEAM NEWS
Striker Christian Vieri and midfielders Simone Perrotta and Cristiano Zanetti are injury worries for Italy ahead of their crucial game with Bulgaria.
Vieri is struggling with a knee injury, Zanetti has a groin problem, while Perrotta is troubled by a calf injury.
Bulgaria captain Stilian Petrov and centre back Roesen Kirilov are both suspended for the match.
Ivailo Petkov is doubtful with a thigh injury, but fellow defender Vladimir Ivanov is expected to play.
Italy (probable): Buffon; Panucci, Nesta, Materazzi, Zambrotta; Fiore, Pirlo, Perrotta; Cassano, Vieri, Del Piero.
Bulgaria (probable): Zdravkov; Stoyanov, Ivanov, Kotev, Zagortchitch; M Petkov,Peev, Hrtistov; Bervatov, Yancovich, Bozhinov.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denmark winger Dennis Rommedahl is doubtful with a hip injury, so Jesper Gronkjaer is likely to step in.
Midfielder Tobias Linderoth is suspended, and is likely to be replaced by Kim Kallstrom.
Injured right-back Teddy Lucic is out for Sweden, so midfielder Mikael Nilsson is set to stay in defence after playing there against the Italians.
Christian Wilhelmsson is likely to retain his position on the right hand side of midfield.
Denmark (probable): Sorensen, Helveg, Laursen, Henriksen, Jensen, Gravesen, Tomasson, Jensen, Gronkjaer, Sand, Joergensen
Sweden (probable): Isaksson, Nilsson, Mellberg, Jakobsson, Edman, Wilhelmsson, Kallstrom, Svensson, Ljungberg, Ibrahimovic, Larsson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEAM NEWS
Striker Christian Vieri and midfielders Simone Perrotta and Cristiano Zanetti are injury worries for Italy ahead of their crucial game with Bulgaria.
Vieri is struggling with a knee injury, Zanetti has a groin problem, while Perrotta is troubled by a calf injury.
Bulgaria captain Stilian Petrov and centre back Roesen Kirilov are both suspended for the match.
Ivailo Petkov is doubtful with a thigh injury, but fellow defender Vladimir Ivanov is expected to play.
Italy (probable): Buffon; Panucci, Nesta, Materazzi, Zambrotta; Fiore, Pirlo, Perrotta; Cassano, Vieri, Del Piero.
Bulgaria (probable): Zdravkov; Stoyanov, Ivanov, Kotev, Zagortchitch; M Petkov,Peev, Hrtistov; Bervatov, Yancovich, Bozhinov.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SWEDEN VS DENMARK
MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads
* Denmark and Sweden have played each other on 97 occasions with Sweden winning 45 times, drawing 16 and Denmark winning 36 times. One match, a 1-0 Sweden win in January 2000, is not recognised as an official international by the Danish FA.
* Only two of those 97 encounters were competitive matches and both were won by Sweden.
* In 1948, Sweden beat Denmark 4-2 in the semi-finals of the London Olympics. Sweden then went on to win the Olympic title.
* At Euro '92 Sweden were the only team to defeat Denmark (1-0), with a goal from Tomas Brolin. Despite this defeat the Danes went on to win the Championship, their only title so far.
* So, on all previous occasions in which Sweden and Denmark have played each other at a major tournament, one of them has gone on to win the title.
* None of the current squad members of either side played in that 1992 encounter between Denmark and Sweden.
* Sweden have won the last three friendlies against Denmark: in 2000 Sweden secured two 1-0 victories over Denmark with goals from Marcus Allb?ck and J?rgen Pettersson. The first of these matches is not recognised as an official international by Denmark.
* In 1998, Sweden beat their neighbours 3-0 through goals from Fredrik Ljungberg and J?rgen Pettersson (2).
* The last Danish win over Sweden dates back to 14 August 1996 when Denmark's Ole Bjur netted the only goal of the match.
* A 2-2 or higher scoring draw will put both teams through to the quarter-finals. This has happened on seven occasions with the last one being a 2-2 draw in May 1979.
* There has been no draw of any kind between these teams in their last 13 encounters (including the one regarded as unofficial by the Danish FA). The last draw was 1-1 in May 1982.
Player facts - Denmark
* Thomas Helveg, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Ebbe Sand and Niclas Jensen will miss a potential quarter-final clash if they are shown the yellow card in this match.
* All players on single yellow cards will revert to zero for the quarter-finals.
* Helveg will celebrate his 33rd birthday two days after this match.
* Midfielder Daniel Jensen will celebrate his 25th birthday three days after this game.
* Helveg can enter the top five for most European Championship appearances for Denmark. If he plays his eighth appearance, he will join Brian Laudrup, Lars Olsen, Flemming Povlsen and Kim Vilfort on this total. Three players have more and they are headed by Peter Schmeichel who jointly holds the tournament record of 13.
* Helveg is the most experienced international player in the Danish squad with 86 caps to his name. If he is fielded against Sweden he will equal John Sivebaek's total of 87 becoming the fourth most capped Dane ever.
* Jon Dahl Tomasson is the most prolific goal scorer available to Danish manager Morten Olsen. Tomasson has scored 29 goals in international matches, followed closely by Ebbe Sand with 22 goals.
* Tomasson is now joint sixth in the all-time Danish goal scorers list. However, the top five is still eight goals away.
* The yellow card received by Sand against Bulgaria was the 500th single yellow card in the history of the European Championship. The first ever player to be cautioned at the European Championships was Hungarian L?szl? B?lint in the Euro 1972 semi-final match against the Soviet Union.
* Denmark winger Dennis Rommedahl got injured early in the match against Bulgaria and was substituted by Jesper Gr?nkj?r in the 23rd minute. This was the earliest substitution at Euro 2004 so far.
Player facts - Sweden
* Tobias Linderoth is suspended for this match.
* Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Erik Edman will both be suspended if booked.
* All players on single yellow cards will revert to zero for the quarter-finals.
* Anders Svensson can win his 50th cap for Sweden if he plays in this match.
* Mikael Nilsson will celebrate his 26th birthday two days after this game.
* Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are joint top scorers (with four other players) with two goals scored at Euro 2004.
* Zlatan is one of three players who have scored in both their country's matches so far - the others are Ruud van Nistelrooy and Milan Baro?
* Goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson is the joint second tallest player in Portugal at 1.99m. Czech striker Jan Koller is the tallest.
* Larsson became the seventh oldest player to score at a European Championship at the age of 32 years, eight months and 25 days in the match against Bulgaria.
* Larsson's competition total stands at three goals, equalling the Swedish record of Tomas Brolin.
* Henrik Larsson can earn his 77th cap in the match against Denmark. He will then be level with Ronnie Hellstr?m who is in seventh place in the Swedish all-time international caps list, which is topped by Thomas Ravelli with 143 caps.
* Olof Mellberg, Fredrik Ljungberg and Henrik Larsson will all play their sixth match at a European Championship should they take the field against Denmark. They will then be in joint second place, one match behind record holder Joachim Bj?rklund.
* Christoffer Andersson made his debut for Sweden on 31 January 2000 in a friendly match against Denmark (1-0 win).
* Like Denmark's Gr?nkj?r, Sweden's Marcus Allb?ck has also scored a Euro 2004 goal having come on as a substitute.
Team facts - Denmark
* Denmark must win or record a 2-2 draw or better to be sure of going through to the quarter-finals. A defeat will also be enough if Italy fail to win against Bulgaria.
* Denmark are the only country yet to concede a goal at Euro 2004.
* Denmark ended their scoring problems by netting twice against Bulgaria in the last match. This ended a streak of four European Championship matches without a goal which had equalled the tournament record set by the Danes themselves between June 1988 and June 1992.
* Denmark have suffered more defeats (11) than any other nation at the European Championship.
* Denmark are the only nation to amass zero points twice (1988 and 2000) in a European Championship campaign.
* The Danish squad contains only three players from the Danish league: goalkeepers Peter Skov-Jensen and Stephan Andersen and midfielder Thomas Kahlenberg. So far none of them have been fielded by coach Morten Olsen at Euro 2004.
* The Danes have always reached at least the semi-finals when they survived the group stage at the European Championships.
* However, in the last two European Championship finals (in 1996 and 2000) the Danes failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.
* Denmark are unbeaten in their last six competitive matches - both Euro 2004 matches against Italy and Bulgaria and the last four qualifying matches for Euro 2004. Their last defeat came on 02 April 2003 when the Danes lost a Euro 2004 qualifier at home against Bosnia-Herzegovina (2-0).
* Denmark last received a red card at a European Championship 20 years ago. Klaus Berggreen was sent off against Spain on 24 June 1984.
Team facts - Sweden
* Sweden only need a draw to be certain of a quarter-final place. They will also go through with a defeat as long as Italy do not beat Bulgaria.
* Sweden's 5-0 victory over Bulgaria in the first group match marked the second biggest win ever at a European Championship and the biggest win ever for Sweden in this competition.
* Sweden's 8-0 victory over Cuba at the World Cup 1938 remains Sweden's record victory at a World Cup or European Championship.
* The Swedish squad includes three players who play in the Danish SASliga: Magnus Kihlstedt (FC K?benhavn), Andreas Jakobsson (Br?ndby IF) and Mattias Johnson (Br?ndby IF) all play for a Danish club.
* The Swedes failed to qualify for the quarter-finals in 2000 and were eliminated by Germany in the 1992 semis.
* Since Euro 2000, Sweden have lost only twice in 24 competitive matches. Their only defeats came against Senegal in the World Cup 2002 in extra time and against Latvia (0-1) in Euro 2004 qualifying at a time when Sweden had already qualified.
* Sweden are unbeaten in their last six matches since surprisingly losing a friendly in Albania (2-1) in February.
Miscellaneous stats
* Denmark coach Morten Olsen is the oldest Danish player ever to appear at the European Championships. He was 38 years, 10 months and three days old when he played in Denmark's clash with Italy at the Euro 1988.
* This Scandinavian encounter could see eight club team mates play each other: Thomas S?rensen vs Olof Mellberg and Marcus Allb?ck (Aston Villa), Thomas Gravesen vs Tobias Linderoth (Everton) and Thomas Kahlenberg vs Andreas Jakobsen and Mattias Jonson (Br?ndby IF).
* The referee for this match will be Dr Markus Merk, who was also present at Euro 2000, in which he was in charge of three matches including the Holland vs Italy semi-final. Another pinnacle in his career was the 2002/2003 Champions League final.
* He has already officiated the France - England match, showing five yellow cards and awarding two penalties.
* This season, Merk set a new Bundesliga record for most appearances by a referee (244) in German top flight matches, passing the record held by Hellmut Krug.
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
Games Won Drawn Lost GF GA
Denmark 97 36 16 45 162 178
Sweden 97 45 16 36 178 162
MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads
* Denmark and Sweden have played each other on 97 occasions with Sweden winning 45 times, drawing 16 and Denmark winning 36 times. One match, a 1-0 Sweden win in January 2000, is not recognised as an official international by the Danish FA.
* Only two of those 97 encounters were competitive matches and both were won by Sweden.
* In 1948, Sweden beat Denmark 4-2 in the semi-finals of the London Olympics. Sweden then went on to win the Olympic title.
* At Euro '92 Sweden were the only team to defeat Denmark (1-0), with a goal from Tomas Brolin. Despite this defeat the Danes went on to win the Championship, their only title so far.
* So, on all previous occasions in which Sweden and Denmark have played each other at a major tournament, one of them has gone on to win the title.
* None of the current squad members of either side played in that 1992 encounter between Denmark and Sweden.
* Sweden have won the last three friendlies against Denmark: in 2000 Sweden secured two 1-0 victories over Denmark with goals from Marcus Allb?ck and J?rgen Pettersson. The first of these matches is not recognised as an official international by Denmark.
* In 1998, Sweden beat their neighbours 3-0 through goals from Fredrik Ljungberg and J?rgen Pettersson (2).
* The last Danish win over Sweden dates back to 14 August 1996 when Denmark's Ole Bjur netted the only goal of the match.
* A 2-2 or higher scoring draw will put both teams through to the quarter-finals. This has happened on seven occasions with the last one being a 2-2 draw in May 1979.
* There has been no draw of any kind between these teams in their last 13 encounters (including the one regarded as unofficial by the Danish FA). The last draw was 1-1 in May 1982.
Player facts - Denmark
* Thomas Helveg, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Ebbe Sand and Niclas Jensen will miss a potential quarter-final clash if they are shown the yellow card in this match.
* All players on single yellow cards will revert to zero for the quarter-finals.
* Helveg will celebrate his 33rd birthday two days after this match.
* Midfielder Daniel Jensen will celebrate his 25th birthday three days after this game.
* Helveg can enter the top five for most European Championship appearances for Denmark. If he plays his eighth appearance, he will join Brian Laudrup, Lars Olsen, Flemming Povlsen and Kim Vilfort on this total. Three players have more and they are headed by Peter Schmeichel who jointly holds the tournament record of 13.
* Helveg is the most experienced international player in the Danish squad with 86 caps to his name. If he is fielded against Sweden he will equal John Sivebaek's total of 87 becoming the fourth most capped Dane ever.
* Jon Dahl Tomasson is the most prolific goal scorer available to Danish manager Morten Olsen. Tomasson has scored 29 goals in international matches, followed closely by Ebbe Sand with 22 goals.
* Tomasson is now joint sixth in the all-time Danish goal scorers list. However, the top five is still eight goals away.
* The yellow card received by Sand against Bulgaria was the 500th single yellow card in the history of the European Championship. The first ever player to be cautioned at the European Championships was Hungarian L?szl? B?lint in the Euro 1972 semi-final match against the Soviet Union.
* Denmark winger Dennis Rommedahl got injured early in the match against Bulgaria and was substituted by Jesper Gr?nkj?r in the 23rd minute. This was the earliest substitution at Euro 2004 so far.
Player facts - Sweden
* Tobias Linderoth is suspended for this match.
* Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Erik Edman will both be suspended if booked.
* All players on single yellow cards will revert to zero for the quarter-finals.
* Anders Svensson can win his 50th cap for Sweden if he plays in this match.
* Mikael Nilsson will celebrate his 26th birthday two days after this game.
* Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are joint top scorers (with four other players) with two goals scored at Euro 2004.
* Zlatan is one of three players who have scored in both their country's matches so far - the others are Ruud van Nistelrooy and Milan Baro?
* Goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson is the joint second tallest player in Portugal at 1.99m. Czech striker Jan Koller is the tallest.
* Larsson became the seventh oldest player to score at a European Championship at the age of 32 years, eight months and 25 days in the match against Bulgaria.
* Larsson's competition total stands at three goals, equalling the Swedish record of Tomas Brolin.
* Henrik Larsson can earn his 77th cap in the match against Denmark. He will then be level with Ronnie Hellstr?m who is in seventh place in the Swedish all-time international caps list, which is topped by Thomas Ravelli with 143 caps.
* Olof Mellberg, Fredrik Ljungberg and Henrik Larsson will all play their sixth match at a European Championship should they take the field against Denmark. They will then be in joint second place, one match behind record holder Joachim Bj?rklund.
* Christoffer Andersson made his debut for Sweden on 31 January 2000 in a friendly match against Denmark (1-0 win).
* Like Denmark's Gr?nkj?r, Sweden's Marcus Allb?ck has also scored a Euro 2004 goal having come on as a substitute.
Team facts - Denmark
* Denmark must win or record a 2-2 draw or better to be sure of going through to the quarter-finals. A defeat will also be enough if Italy fail to win against Bulgaria.
* Denmark are the only country yet to concede a goal at Euro 2004.
* Denmark ended their scoring problems by netting twice against Bulgaria in the last match. This ended a streak of four European Championship matches without a goal which had equalled the tournament record set by the Danes themselves between June 1988 and June 1992.
* Denmark have suffered more defeats (11) than any other nation at the European Championship.
* Denmark are the only nation to amass zero points twice (1988 and 2000) in a European Championship campaign.
* The Danish squad contains only three players from the Danish league: goalkeepers Peter Skov-Jensen and Stephan Andersen and midfielder Thomas Kahlenberg. So far none of them have been fielded by coach Morten Olsen at Euro 2004.
* The Danes have always reached at least the semi-finals when they survived the group stage at the European Championships.
* However, in the last two European Championship finals (in 1996 and 2000) the Danes failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.
* Denmark are unbeaten in their last six competitive matches - both Euro 2004 matches against Italy and Bulgaria and the last four qualifying matches for Euro 2004. Their last defeat came on 02 April 2003 when the Danes lost a Euro 2004 qualifier at home against Bosnia-Herzegovina (2-0).
* Denmark last received a red card at a European Championship 20 years ago. Klaus Berggreen was sent off against Spain on 24 June 1984.
Team facts - Sweden
* Sweden only need a draw to be certain of a quarter-final place. They will also go through with a defeat as long as Italy do not beat Bulgaria.
* Sweden's 5-0 victory over Bulgaria in the first group match marked the second biggest win ever at a European Championship and the biggest win ever for Sweden in this competition.
* Sweden's 8-0 victory over Cuba at the World Cup 1938 remains Sweden's record victory at a World Cup or European Championship.
* The Swedish squad includes three players who play in the Danish SASliga: Magnus Kihlstedt (FC K?benhavn), Andreas Jakobsson (Br?ndby IF) and Mattias Johnson (Br?ndby IF) all play for a Danish club.
* The Swedes failed to qualify for the quarter-finals in 2000 and were eliminated by Germany in the 1992 semis.
* Since Euro 2000, Sweden have lost only twice in 24 competitive matches. Their only defeats came against Senegal in the World Cup 2002 in extra time and against Latvia (0-1) in Euro 2004 qualifying at a time when Sweden had already qualified.
* Sweden are unbeaten in their last six matches since surprisingly losing a friendly in Albania (2-1) in February.
Miscellaneous stats
* Denmark coach Morten Olsen is the oldest Danish player ever to appear at the European Championships. He was 38 years, 10 months and three days old when he played in Denmark's clash with Italy at the Euro 1988.
* This Scandinavian encounter could see eight club team mates play each other: Thomas S?rensen vs Olof Mellberg and Marcus Allb?ck (Aston Villa), Thomas Gravesen vs Tobias Linderoth (Everton) and Thomas Kahlenberg vs Andreas Jakobsen and Mattias Jonson (Br?ndby IF).
* The referee for this match will be Dr Markus Merk, who was also present at Euro 2000, in which he was in charge of three matches including the Holland vs Italy semi-final. Another pinnacle in his career was the 2002/2003 Champions League final.
* He has already officiated the France - England match, showing five yellow cards and awarding two penalties.
* This season, Merk set a new Bundesliga record for most appearances by a referee (244) in German top flight matches, passing the record held by Hellmut Krug.
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
Games Won Drawn Lost GF GA
Denmark 97 36 16 45 162 178
Sweden 97 45 16 36 178 162
LIST OF MEETINGS
Date Comp Res
25 May 1913 Friendly Denmark 8-0 Sweden
05 Oct 1913 Friendly Sweden 0-10 Denmark
06 Jun 1915 Friendly Denmark 2-0 Sweden
31 Oct 1915 Friendly Sweden 0-2 Denmark
04 Jun 1916 Friendly Denmark 2-0 Sweden
08 Oct 1916 Friendly Sweden 4-0 Denmark
03 Jun 1917 Friendly Denmark 1-1 Sweden
14 Oct 1917 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
02 Jun 1918 Friendly Denmark 3-0 Sweden
20 Oct 1918 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
05 Jun 1919 Friendly Denmark 3-0 Sweden
12 Oct 1919 Friendly Sweden 3-0 Denmark
10 Oct 1920 Friendly Sweden 0-2 Denmark
09 Oct 1921 Friendly Sweden 0-0 Denmark
01 Oct 1922 Friendly Denmark 1-2 Sweden
14 Oct 1923 Friendly Sweden 1-3 Denmark
15 Jun 1924 Friendly Denmark 2-3 Sweden
14 Jun 1925 Friendly Sweden 0-2 Denmark
03 Oct 1926 Friendly Denmark 2-0 Sweden
19 Jun 1927 Friendly Sweden 0-0 Denmark
07 Oct 1928 Friendly Denmark 3-1 Sweden
16 Jun 1929 Friendly Sweden 3-2 Denmark
22 Jun 1930 Friendly Denmark 6-1 Sweden
28 Jun 1931 Friendly Sweden 3-1 Denmark
19 Jun 1932 Friendly Denmark 3-1 Sweden
18 Jun 1933 Friendly Sweden 2-3 Denmark
17 Jun 1934 Friendly Denmark 3-5 Sweden
16 Jun 1935 Friendly Sweden 3-1 Denmark
14 Jun 1936 Friendly Denmark 4-3 Sweden
03 Oct 1937 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
21 Jun 1938 Friendly Denmark 0-1 Sweden
01 Oct 1939 Friendly Sweden 4-1 Denmark
06 Oct 1940 Friendly Sweden 1-1 Denmark
20 Oct 1940 Friendly Denmark 3-3 Sweden
14 Sep 1941 Friendly Sweden 2-2 Denmark
19 Oct 1941 Friendly Denmark 2-1 Sweden
28 Jun 1942 Friendly Denmark 0-3 Sweden
04 Oct 1942 Friendly Sweden 2-1 Denmark
20 Jun 1943 Friendly Denmark 3-2 Sweden
24 Jun 1945 Friendly Sweden 2-1 Denmark
01 Jul 1945 Friendly Denmark 3-4 Sweden
30 Sep 1945 Friendly Sweden 4-1 Denmark
23 Jun 1946 Friendly Denmark 3-1 Sweden
06 Oct 1946 Friendly Sweden 3-3 Denmark
15 Jun 1947 Friendly Denmark 1-4 Sweden
26 Jun 1947 Friendly Sweden 6-1 Denmark
10 Aug 1948 OG SF Denmark 2-4 Sweden
10 Oct 1948 Friendly Sweden 1-0 Denmark
23 Oct 1949 Friendly Denmark 3-2 Sweden
15 Oct 1950 Friendly Sweden 4-0 Denmark
21 Oct 1951 Friendly Denmark 3-1 Sweden
11 Jun 1952 Friendly* Denmark 0-2 Sweden
22 Jun 1952 Friendly Sweden 4-3 Denmark
21 Jun 1953 Friendly Denmark 1-3 Sweden
10 Oct 1954 Friendly Sweden 5-2 Denmark
16 Oct 1955 Friendly Denmark 3-3 Sweden
21 Oct 1956 Friendly Sweden 1-1 Denmark
30 Jun 1957 Friendly Denmark 1-2 Sweden
26 Oct 1958 Friendly Sweden 4-4 Denmark
21 Jun 1959 Friendly Denmark 0-6 Sweden
23 Oct 1960 Friendly Sweden 2-0 Denmark
18 Jun 1961 Friendly Denmark 1-2 Sweden
28 Oct 1962 Friendly Sweden 4-2 Denmark
06 Oct 1963 Friendly Denmark 2-2 Sweden
28 Jun 1964 Friendly Sweden 4-1 Denmark
20 Jun 1965 Friendly Denmark 2-1 Sweden
06 Nov 1966 Friendly Sweden 2-1 Denmark
25 Jun 1967 Friendly Denmark 1-1 Sweden
27 Jun 1968 Friendly Sweden 2-1 Denmark
25 Jun 1969 Friendly Denmark 0-1 Sweden
25 Jun 1970 Friendly Sweden 1-1 Denmark
20 Jun 1971 Friendly Denmark 1-3 Sweden
29 Jun 1972 Friendly Sweden 2-0 Denmark
26 Apr 1973 Friendly Denmark 1-2 Sweden
03 Jun 1974 Friendly Denmark 0-2 Sweden
25 Sep 1975 Friendly Sweden 0-0 Denmark
11 May 1976 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
15 Jun 1977 Friendly Denmark 2-1 Sweden
05 Oct 1977 Friendly Sweden 1-0 Denmark
16 Aug 1978 Friendly Denmark 2-1 Sweden
09 May 1979 Friendly Denmark 2-2 Sweden
07 May 1980 Friendly Sweden 0-1 Denmark
14 May 1981 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
05 May 1982 Friendly Denmark 1-1 Sweden
06 Jun 1984 Friendly Sweden 0-1 Denmark
11 Sep 1985 Friendly Denmark 0-3 Sweden
26 Aug 1987 Friendly Sweden 1-0 Denmark
31 Aug 1988 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
14 Jun 1989 Friendly Denmark 6-0 Sweden
05 Sep 1990 Friendly Sweden 0-1 Denmark
15 Jun 1991 Friendly Sweden 4-0 Denmark
14 Jun 1992 EC Gp 1 Sweden 1-0 Denmark
26 May 1994 Friendly Denmark 1-0 Sweden
14 Aug 1996 Friendly Sweden 0-1 Denmark
28 May 1998 Friendly Sweden 3-0 Denmark
00 Jan 2000 Friendly* Denmark 0-1 Sweden
26 Apr 2000 Friendly Denmark 0-1 SwedEN
Date Comp Res
25 May 1913 Friendly Denmark 8-0 Sweden
05 Oct 1913 Friendly Sweden 0-10 Denmark
06 Jun 1915 Friendly Denmark 2-0 Sweden
31 Oct 1915 Friendly Sweden 0-2 Denmark
04 Jun 1916 Friendly Denmark 2-0 Sweden
08 Oct 1916 Friendly Sweden 4-0 Denmark
03 Jun 1917 Friendly Denmark 1-1 Sweden
14 Oct 1917 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
02 Jun 1918 Friendly Denmark 3-0 Sweden
20 Oct 1918 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
05 Jun 1919 Friendly Denmark 3-0 Sweden
12 Oct 1919 Friendly Sweden 3-0 Denmark
10 Oct 1920 Friendly Sweden 0-2 Denmark
09 Oct 1921 Friendly Sweden 0-0 Denmark
01 Oct 1922 Friendly Denmark 1-2 Sweden
14 Oct 1923 Friendly Sweden 1-3 Denmark
15 Jun 1924 Friendly Denmark 2-3 Sweden
14 Jun 1925 Friendly Sweden 0-2 Denmark
03 Oct 1926 Friendly Denmark 2-0 Sweden
19 Jun 1927 Friendly Sweden 0-0 Denmark
07 Oct 1928 Friendly Denmark 3-1 Sweden
16 Jun 1929 Friendly Sweden 3-2 Denmark
22 Jun 1930 Friendly Denmark 6-1 Sweden
28 Jun 1931 Friendly Sweden 3-1 Denmark
19 Jun 1932 Friendly Denmark 3-1 Sweden
18 Jun 1933 Friendly Sweden 2-3 Denmark
17 Jun 1934 Friendly Denmark 3-5 Sweden
16 Jun 1935 Friendly Sweden 3-1 Denmark
14 Jun 1936 Friendly Denmark 4-3 Sweden
03 Oct 1937 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
21 Jun 1938 Friendly Denmark 0-1 Sweden
01 Oct 1939 Friendly Sweden 4-1 Denmark
06 Oct 1940 Friendly Sweden 1-1 Denmark
20 Oct 1940 Friendly Denmark 3-3 Sweden
14 Sep 1941 Friendly Sweden 2-2 Denmark
19 Oct 1941 Friendly Denmark 2-1 Sweden
28 Jun 1942 Friendly Denmark 0-3 Sweden
04 Oct 1942 Friendly Sweden 2-1 Denmark
20 Jun 1943 Friendly Denmark 3-2 Sweden
24 Jun 1945 Friendly Sweden 2-1 Denmark
01 Jul 1945 Friendly Denmark 3-4 Sweden
30 Sep 1945 Friendly Sweden 4-1 Denmark
23 Jun 1946 Friendly Denmark 3-1 Sweden
06 Oct 1946 Friendly Sweden 3-3 Denmark
15 Jun 1947 Friendly Denmark 1-4 Sweden
26 Jun 1947 Friendly Sweden 6-1 Denmark
10 Aug 1948 OG SF Denmark 2-4 Sweden
10 Oct 1948 Friendly Sweden 1-0 Denmark
23 Oct 1949 Friendly Denmark 3-2 Sweden
15 Oct 1950 Friendly Sweden 4-0 Denmark
21 Oct 1951 Friendly Denmark 3-1 Sweden
11 Jun 1952 Friendly* Denmark 0-2 Sweden
22 Jun 1952 Friendly Sweden 4-3 Denmark
21 Jun 1953 Friendly Denmark 1-3 Sweden
10 Oct 1954 Friendly Sweden 5-2 Denmark
16 Oct 1955 Friendly Denmark 3-3 Sweden
21 Oct 1956 Friendly Sweden 1-1 Denmark
30 Jun 1957 Friendly Denmark 1-2 Sweden
26 Oct 1958 Friendly Sweden 4-4 Denmark
21 Jun 1959 Friendly Denmark 0-6 Sweden
23 Oct 1960 Friendly Sweden 2-0 Denmark
18 Jun 1961 Friendly Denmark 1-2 Sweden
28 Oct 1962 Friendly Sweden 4-2 Denmark
06 Oct 1963 Friendly Denmark 2-2 Sweden
28 Jun 1964 Friendly Sweden 4-1 Denmark
20 Jun 1965 Friendly Denmark 2-1 Sweden
06 Nov 1966 Friendly Sweden 2-1 Denmark
25 Jun 1967 Friendly Denmark 1-1 Sweden
27 Jun 1968 Friendly Sweden 2-1 Denmark
25 Jun 1969 Friendly Denmark 0-1 Sweden
25 Jun 1970 Friendly Sweden 1-1 Denmark
20 Jun 1971 Friendly Denmark 1-3 Sweden
29 Jun 1972 Friendly Sweden 2-0 Denmark
26 Apr 1973 Friendly Denmark 1-2 Sweden
03 Jun 1974 Friendly Denmark 0-2 Sweden
25 Sep 1975 Friendly Sweden 0-0 Denmark
11 May 1976 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
15 Jun 1977 Friendly Denmark 2-1 Sweden
05 Oct 1977 Friendly Sweden 1-0 Denmark
16 Aug 1978 Friendly Denmark 2-1 Sweden
09 May 1979 Friendly Denmark 2-2 Sweden
07 May 1980 Friendly Sweden 0-1 Denmark
14 May 1981 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
05 May 1982 Friendly Denmark 1-1 Sweden
06 Jun 1984 Friendly Sweden 0-1 Denmark
11 Sep 1985 Friendly Denmark 0-3 Sweden
26 Aug 1987 Friendly Sweden 1-0 Denmark
31 Aug 1988 Friendly Sweden 1-2 Denmark
14 Jun 1989 Friendly Denmark 6-0 Sweden
05 Sep 1990 Friendly Sweden 0-1 Denmark
15 Jun 1991 Friendly Sweden 4-0 Denmark
14 Jun 1992 EC Gp 1 Sweden 1-0 Denmark
26 May 1994 Friendly Denmark 1-0 Sweden
14 Aug 1996 Friendly Sweden 0-1 Denmark
28 May 1998 Friendly Sweden 3-0 Denmark
00 Jan 2000 Friendly* Denmark 0-1 Sweden
26 Apr 2000 Friendly Denmark 0-1 SwedEN
I'am really looking forward to tomorrows game should be one of the most exciting games in the tournament!!!
KsYaS who do you like tomorrow?
Right now I'm looking at dumping a few units on Portugal!!!
KsYaS who do you like tomorrow?
Right now I'm looking at dumping a few units on Portugal!!!
Hello buddy, I just cannot decide what to bet!!! portugal is the home team, and thats the only really advantage I see in them!! England is playing really good, very balanced, good defense, they are not playing like usually, an usual England team is like Italy, and Germany good at Defense and very limited in offense, that huge guy rooney and owen are very dangerous!!
Portugal is a very talented team, too much talented to me, they cannot play like a real team, and do not produce real danger against anybody
I do not know!! England should won against France, but France is not surprising anybody, without Zidane they are just lost!!!!, I will be reading some write ups and theories to try to find the right side, maybe I come befor tip off, I hope I can help with all my words, see you buddy
Javier
Portugal is a very talented team, too much talented to me, they cannot play like a real team, and do not produce real danger against anybody
I do not know!! England should won against France, but France is not surprising anybody, without Zidane they are just lost!!!!, I will be reading some write ups and theories to try to find the right side, maybe I come befor tip off, I hope I can help with all my words, see you buddy
Javier
20.60 to win 25.75
England/Portugal Over 2? +125
for the entire game held on Jun 24 at 1:45pm
:thinking: :idea: :grouphug: :wall:
England/Portugal Over 2? +125
for the entire game held on Jun 24 at 1:45pm
:thinking: :idea: :grouphug: :wall:
3-7 -1 U
I surely will have a play, mm.. the problem is the line is losing value, I will wait to see if the line shows more value later
I surely will have a play, mm.. the problem is the line is losing value, I will wait to see if the line shows more value later
4-8 +2 U (posted plays)
I also won a lot of live betting!!!!!!!
GO CZECH!!!
RIGHT NOW I HAVE ONE SEMIS WINNER!!! CZECH REP!!!
I also won a lot of live betting!!!!!!!
GO CZECH!!!
RIGHT NOW I HAVE ONE SEMIS WINNER!!! CZECH REP!!!
