Soccer News
Sweden hammer Bulgaria
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| Sweden's striker Henrik Larsson (top) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against Bulgaria, 14 June 2004 during their opening match of the European Nations football championships at the Jose de Alvalade stadium in Lisbon. Sweden and Bulgaria are competing in Group C with Italy and Denmark. |
On his return to International football Henrik Larsson scored two goals in a minute to help Sweden to a 5-0 victory over Bulgaria in Group C on Monday.
Freddie Ljungberg opened the account slotting home a Zlatan Ibrahimovic pass after 32 minutes, Larsson's goals came just ahead of the hour before Ibrahimovic converted a penalty and substitute Marcus Allback banged home the fifth in injury time.
Bulgaria had given as good as they got until the opener and but for some sloppy striking could have taken the lead themselves.
Confident Denmark hold Italy
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| Denmark's goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen (L) catchs the ball after a kick by Italy's forward Alessandro Del Piero (R), 14 June 2004 at Henriques stadium in Guimaraes, during their Euro 2004 group C football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV |
Denmark turned in a confident performance on Monday and held Italy to a 0-0 draw in an entertaining opener to Group C in Guimaraes.
Danish 'keeper Thomas Sorensen and his counterpart Gianluigi Buffon were the main reasons the match finished scoreless although the Danes had the upper hand in terms of possession.
Both teams had chances to break the deadlock but Sorensen was in inspired form especially in the first half and made a string of saves out of the top drawer.
Buffon was equally brilliant and both sides should be happy with a point to open their campaign.
England hit with Butt injury
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| England's midfielder Joe Cole (L) fights for the ball with midfielder Nicky Butt during a training session at the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon, 11 June 2004 on the eve of the start of the 2004 European Nations Championship. England will play its first Euro 2004 match against France 13 June. AFP PHOTO Paul BARKER |
Nicky Butt suffered a knee injury in training for England on Monday adding to Sven Goran Eriksson's midfield headache ahead of their tie against Switzerland in Coimbra on Thursday after Paul Scholes also hit the sickbay on Sunday.
"Nicky injured his right knee in training and has gone to hospital for a scan. We expect to know the results in the morning (Tuesday)," an England spokesman said.
Butt had looked to be set to perform the role he played to rave reviews in the 2002 World Cup finals until Frank Lampard edged him out two weeks ago.
Win or bust says Dutch coach
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| Dutch coach Dick Advocaat talks during a press conference in Albufeira, 10 June 2004 two days before the start of the European Nations championships in Portugal. The Euro 2004 opens with host Portugal playing Greece 12 June. AFP PHOTO FRANCOIS GUILLOT |
Dick Advocaat gave no team news away ahead of his side's Group D opener against fierce rivals Germany, but revealed his Holland side would go all out for the three points.
"Our intention is to win it, just like the intention of the German coach. We're not going out there for a draw," said the former Glasgow Rangers manager," who was less clear when stonewalling questions over his line-up.
"There'll be 11 players on the pitch," he responded when asked if Ruud van Nistelrooy would act as a sole striker.
England for final predicts Pires
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| French midfielder Robert Pires answers journalists' questions during a press conference, 09 June 2004 in Santo Tirso, 25 km north of Porto, four days before the France/England match of the Euro 2004 13 June in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO FRANCK FIFE |
Despite France's 2-1 win over England Robert Pires has a sneaking suspicion that he and his teammates have yet to see the last of David Beckham and company.
"If England play like they did yesterday they can make it through to the final," the Arsenal forward said on Monday at the reigning champion's headquarters north of Oporto.
"They played really well. If Beckham had scored that penalty it would have been finished for us.
Spain think the unthinkable
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| Spanish football player Raul speaks during a press conference in Vilamoura, 11 June 2004 ahead of the European Nations championships in Portugal. The Euro 2004 opens with host Portugal playing Greece 12 June. Spain plays its first game the same day vs Russia. |
Spain coach Inaki Saez is coming under pressure to drop the country's record goalscorer Raul after a poor match in Spain's opener and an indifferent season for Real Madrid.
Saez stressed before Euro that Raul "must be our leader" and said he had not changed his mind after the Russia game.
"Perhaps I am a little stubborn, but that's the way I'll be until the day I die," said the coach.
Raul himself declared: "I have no problem with being on the substitutes' bench".
Owen sees red over ref
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| England's Michael Owen gestures as he speaks at a press conference for the European 2004 Nations championships, 08 June 2004 near Lisbon. David Beckham returned to training with England today but fears John Terry could be ruled out of the Euro 2004 opener against France mounted as the Chelsea defender was forced to miss the squad's first workout in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Paul Barker |
Michael Owen has blamed German referee Markus Merk for England's defeat to France on Sunday, saying he was too shy with the red card when England were awarded a penalty that Fabien Barthez eventually saved.
"To be fair to Becks (David Beckham), Barthez pulled off a great save," Owen said. "The disappointing thing for us was the fact that (Mikael) Silvestre brought down Wayne (Rooney) in a goalscoring position as the last man and wasn't sent off.
"From a great save, they've still got 11 men on the field and an opportunity to win the game. That was obviously a turning point."
Scolari on a wing and a prayer
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| Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) gestures next to his teammate, forward Luis Figo, after missing a goal, 12 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during his team's Euro 2004 group A football match against Greece at the European Nations championship in Portugal. Greece won 2 to O. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV |
Observers at Portuguese training sessions suggest coach Luiz Scolari will keep faith with striker Nuno Gomes and midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo in their do-or-die meeting with Russia on Wednesday.
After Saturday's horror show brought a 2-1 loss to rank outsiders Greece the Portuguese need a win and will field Gomes and Pedro Pauleta in attack with Ronaldo supplying the ammunition from the left and Luis Figo from the right flank.
Against Greece Ronaldo replaced Costinha and Gomes replaced Simao Sabrosa.
Croats seek firepower
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Ivan Klasnic's 13 goals during Werder Bremen's double winning campaign looks set to be rewarded with a start for Croatia against France in Thursday's Group B clash after they drew a blank in the 0-0 draw against ten-man Switzerland on Sunday.
"I'm going to make changes," said coach Otto Baric. "I'm thinking about Klasnic, he's close to the first eleven."
Klasnic was one of the main forces behind Werder Bremen's domestic double last term and the German-born star showed the cruciate ligament injury he suffered the previous season had not stifled his pace.
Scholes doubtful for Swiss game
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| England midfielder Paul Scholes (R) dribbles past French defender William Gallas, 13 June 2004 during their opening match at the European Nations football championships at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. France and England are competing in Group B with Switzerland and Croatia. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
Midfielder Paul Scholes is a major doubt for England's Group B game against Switzerland on Thursday says coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.
The Manchester United player twisted an ankle in the 2-1 loss to France and will be unable to train on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"We will see on Wednesday if he can play or not but he is the only one," he added. "Gary Neville has some small problems but he will be all right."
Eriksson also admitted that defender Ledley King's impressive performance gave him a selection problem for the Swiss game with Chelsea's John Terry expected to be fully recovered from a hamstring injury.