Sweden vs. Spain
Sweden's Zlatan finally scored again, but will he continue against a quite rampant attack of David Villa, and can you hear the drums "Fernando" Torres? "The Name Of The Game" is Second Round of Group D, and quite possibly, "The Winner Takes It All."
posted by gooner71 @ 8:48 AM
40 Comments:
The Spanish - and particularly David Villa - were rampant the other day, but there are some disturbing stories coming out of their camp this week. First, according to a number of sources, Fernando Torres was arsed off about being substituted early in the second half and refused to shake the odious Spanish coach Luis Aragones's hand when he came off. Aragones wasn't best pleased by this and they've both been fuming ever since. Second, Villa noted this and in a show of solidarity ran over to Torres after he scored his hat-trick goal. In a strange and humorous twist, though, as he went to hug Torres, he got a finger stuck in his pinny and has had a plaster on it in training ever since!
Here's a good trivia question that I heard on the Guardian podcast this morning - "how many naturalized Brazilians are playing in Euro 2008?"
Here are the sides for today's clash:
Sweden: Isaksson, Stoor, Mellberg, Hansson, Nilsson, Elmander, Andersson, Svensson, Ljungberg, Henrik Larsson, Ibrahimovic
Subs: Shaaban, Wiland, Linderoth, Alexandersson, Majstorovic, Granqvist, Kallstrom, Sebastian Larsson, Allback, Wilhelmsson, Rosenberg, Dorsin
Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Capdevila, Iniesta, Senna, Xavi, Silva, Villa, Torres
Subs: Palop, Reina, Albiol, Fernando Navarro, Fabregas, Santi Cazorla, Alonso, Sergio Garcia, Guiza, Arbeloa, Juanito, De la Red
Referee: Pieter Vink (Holland)
The Swedes make two changes. The impressive Wilhelmsson is out for the tournament with a knee injury and Nikolas Alexandersson picked up a knock so Stoor and Svensson come in.
Zlatan had some early space in the area there, but he was quickly closed down.
Iniesta had a go from distance. Not a bad idea to test out the Swedish keeper Isaksson early.
Nice stuff from Sergio Ramos, weaving his way into the area, but his ball to Torres ended up being a blind alley.
GOAL! Fifteen minutes in and Fernando has heard the drums and has scored his first goal of Euro 2008. It was made by David Silva, who chipped a delicate ball into the danger area and Torres almost kung-fu kicked it with the studs into the corner.
Spain 1-0!
Sweden almost respond immediately. Larsson played Elmander in expertly but the midfielder blasted his shot into the side netting when he should have hit it across Casillas.
Derek Rae refers to Aragones as "the wise man of Fortaleza." More like the "Grand Wizard of Fortaleza."
Carlos Puyol is hobbling off to be replaced early by Abiol.
Half an hour in and Sweden haven't really found a decent response to the Spanish goal. I expect Spain to run out two or three goal winners here.
GOAL! Well, would you believe it? Just as I was writing them off, Zlatan has squeezed in his second goal of the tournament. It wasn't as flashy as his goal the other day against the Greeks but probably more important. He turned well and beat Casillas, who will be disappointed that he didn't keep it out.
Spain 1 Sweden 1 Game on!
The Swedes are finishing the half the stronger of the two sides, with the big Swedish crowd behind the goal they're attacking, roaring them on.
Half-time: 1-1.
The half ends with controversy and the Spanish running to the ref claiming a penalty for a foul on Silva in the box. It was certainly a good shout there but the referee's not having any of it. It's nicely poised for the second half.
Second half starting....
Zlatan has been withdrawn as he's still feeling the knee problem that was dogging him this week. Rosenberg has come on in his place.
How will Spain respond to feeling rightly aggrieved for the missed penalty call for the Elmander push on David Villa?
Marchena has picked up a yellow for hip checking Elmander in full flight down the wing.
What would a draw mean for the other two teams in the group? It would certainly give some hope to Russia, who have already played and lost to Spain, seemingly the strongest side in the group, and who might fancy themselves in the last match if they win against Greece today.
Spain are starting to mount some pressure again with several free kicks and corners in a row.
Aragones must be considering a change now, perhaps Cesc Fabregas again or even Guiza, who was the high scorer in La Liga this year with Mallorca.
It is Fabregas after all with Xavi coming off. Cazorla is also coming on for Iniesta. That's an odd move and Aragones has now made all the moves that he's allotted. He's going for the win.
Oh, Sweden have survived a massive scramble that came from some lovely movement from Spain. Isaksson did well to save from Torres and then Villa picked his pocket and crossed again. But somehow it stayed out.
Marcos Senna produces a brilliant save from the excellent Isaksson.
An outrageous flick by Torres nearly plays in Villa, but Stoor read it well.
From a corner, Torres, Villa and Senna had headed chances but they just couldn't find the telling touch.
Twenty minutes left...
This game has rather petered out in the past fifteen minutes. But a lot of games in this tournament have surprised us in the final stages. Let's hope that's true today as well.
Elmander has finished his match for the night and Sebastian Larsson is replacing him.
Henrik Larsson, who has been quiet tonight, almost latched on to a cross there.
Kim Kallstrom is coming on to add to the attacking threat. Lars Lagerback is clearly trying to nick the game.
The commentators are mentioning that Spain are a bit one dimensional. If they can't play their way through a defense, they don't really have a Plan B. Sweden have made it tough for them to do that tonight.
Into the last few minutes of the match.
GOAL! Unbelievable! Never write off these games. David Villa has stolen the match for Spain. A long ball out of the back somehow eluded Hansson and Villa slipped it nicely past Isaksson.
Spain 2-1!
Full-time: Spain 2 Sweden 1
Spain have qualified for the quarters with that late, late show from Villa, who is now on four goals from two matches and in the lead for the Golden Boot. The Swedes now have plenty to do in their last match with Russia.
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