Soccer News
Ibrahimovic rescues Sweden
|
| Sweden's striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (R) celebrates with his teammates striker Marcus Allback (L) and striker Henrik Larsson after scoring against Italy , 18 June 2004, during their European Nations football championship match at the Dragao stadium in Porto. Italy and Sweden are competing in Group C with Bulgaria and Denmark. |
Zlatan Ibrahimovic flicked in an acrobatic equaliser in a wild scramble five minutes from time to earn Sweden a 1-1 draw with Italy in a thrilling Euro 2004 match in Porto.
It was a devastating blow for the Italians who had led from the 37th minute when Antonio Cassano glanced home a header for their first goal of the tournament.
However despite packing the defence, Italy failed to hang on and must now beat Bulgaria in their final match to have a fighting chance of reaching the knockout phase.
Sweden meanwhile face neighbors Denmark both on four points but with superiour goal difference in what promises to be a dramatic finale to Group C on Tuesday.
Czechs lose Bolf for Dutch clash
|
| Czech republic defender Rene Bolf (L) and Latvian midfielder Maris Verpakovskis go for a header, 15 June 2004 during their opening match at the European Nations football championships at Aveiro's municipal stadium. The Czech Republic and Latvia are competing in Group D with Germany and Netherlands. |
The Czech Republic will be without key defender Rene Bolf to face the Netherlands in the crucial Group D clash on Saturday as he has been laid out with fever.
The 30-year-old, who played in the 2-1 win over Latvia, came down with the fever overnight Thursday and has been separated from the rest of the squad.
There are also concerns that midfielder Tomas Galasek may come down with the illness as he was sharing a hotel room with Bolf, while David Rozehnal, is set to step into the side.
Denmark send Bulgaria home
|
| Denmark's forward Jon Dahl Tomasson (R) celebrates with his teammate, the midfielder Martin Jorgensen, after scoring the opening goal, |
Pointless after two ties Bulgaria are out of Euro 2004 following Friday's 2-0 loss to Denmark on the back of their 5-0 drubbing by Sweden in their opening Group C match.
AC Milan striker Jon Dahl Tomasson tapped home the opener into an open goal a minute before the break, while Jesper Gronkjaer scored the second deep into injury time.
In the second half Bulgarian tempers flared and their captain Stilian Petrov was sent off after disputing a refereeing decision ten minutes from time.
Having previously drawn with Italy Denmark have four points and face Sweden in their final match.
No need to panic insists Santini
|
| French coach Jacques Santini answers journalists' questions during a press conference, 18 June 2004 in Santo Tirso at the European Nations Championship in Portugal. Title-holder France which drew yesterday 2-2 with Croatia will play its next match vs Switzerland 21 June at the Euro 2004. AFP PHOTO FRANCK FIFE |
France coach Jacques Santini is convinced the champions will bounce back from a mediocre draw with Croatia to reach the last eight.
France need at least a draw with Switzerland on Monday to progress.
"We were still a little disappointed this morning," said Santini.
"But the atmosphere is calm and we are confident of getting the positive result we need to qualify when we play Switzerland."
"We have always said that to go all the way we have to play six matches. A few questions were asked in the changing rooms before we got on with looking at what went right and what went wrong.
Spain put pressure on Portugal
Spain are convinced the pressure is all on host nation Portugal in Sunday's Group A showdown at Euro 2004.
Portugal "need to win and they will have to score early. So they won't be able to focus fully on their defence and we should take advantage of this," mused winger Vicente Rodriguez.
Portugal's last victory over their neighbours and bitter rivals came in 1981 with a 2-0 friendly victory in Oporto.
"Portugal should know that they haven't defeated Spain for 23 years and I think that that is a far more important statistic than the fact that they play at home," added Juanito Gutierrez.
We're not scared says Croat coach
|
| Croatia's coach Otto Baric (C) talks to his players, 17 June 2004 during their match at the European Nations football championships against France at the DR. Magalhaes Pessoa Stadium in Leiria. France and Croatia are competing in Group B with England and Switzerland. |
England should be scared of playing Croatia and not the other way round claimed Croat coach Otto Baric as the tension builds towards their crucial Euro clash on Monday.
Croatia need to win the match whereas England require only a draw to progress.
"We are capable of winning and playing an attack-minded game," said Baric.
"Six months ago we were scared of England, but that's not the case any more. I'm convinced that we can play to win against them," he added.
"But I always believe that we can do better and I think that after the France game we can do better against England. We must look for a win.
Nowotny fit for Latvia match
|
| German head coach Rudi Voeller (R) walks by German defender Jens Nowotny stretching during a training session in Estadio do Bessa, 18 June 2004 in Porto at the European Nations Football Championships 2004. Germany will play its second match at theEuro 2004 against Latvia, 19 June 2004 in Porto. |
Germany received a boost on Friday when defender Jens Nowotny returned to training after a knee injury and looks like being fit for the Latvia tie on Saturday.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Nowotny, 30, picked up the injury in the 1-1 draw with the Netherlands on Tuesday but has shrugged off the complaint.
"All the top players are fit," explained German national coach Rudi Voller.
Hertha Berlin defender Arne Friedrich also resumed training and is poised to assume his position on the right hand side of defence.
Rooney allowed to keep second goal
|
| England's midfielder and captain David Beckham (R) and teammate midfielder Frank Lampard (L) congratulate forward Wayne Rooney after his goal, 17 June 2004 at Coimbra's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group B football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV |
England striker Wayne Rooney has been allowed to keep his second goal from the 3-0 win over Switzerland after UEFA investigated on Friday whether it should be credited as an own goal for Swiss keeper Jorg Stiel.
"The original shot was on target so we confirm that Rooney is the scorer," said UEFA spokesman Rob Faulkner.
Rooney's close-range header gave England the lead in Thursday's Group B clash and made him the youngest player ever to score in a European Championships but his second-half shot hit the post and rebounded off Stiel into the net.
No injury worries for England
|
| England's coach Swedish Sven-Goran Eriksson scratches his head whilst trying to explain the Wayne Rooney phenomenon during a press conference 18 June 2004 in Lisbon, following the victory of England over Switzerland, during the European Nations championship. AFP PHOTO Paul BARKER |
England have a near clean bill of health ahead of Monday's crucial tie against Croatia, coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said on Friday.
Eriksson said that the 3-0 Group B win over Switzerland in Coimbra on Thursday had resulted in some blisters and knocks but no serious injuries.
Among those getting some treatement for slight knocks were Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves who twisted an ankle when he was fouled by Johan Vonlanthen.
Croatia may still qualify for the quarter-finals if they beat England.
Gronkjaer set for Birmingham
|
| Danish mid-fielder Jesper Groenkjaer, Chelsea FC, is photographed before Denmark's match against Scotland in Copenhagen 28 April 2004. AFP PHOTO - SVEN NACKSTRAND |
Chelsea have accepted an "undisclosed but substantial" offer from Birmingham for Danish winger Jesper Gronkjaer, who is now in the process of agreeing personal terms.
He had been expected to fall victim of the Chelsea clear out ordered by new manager Jose Mourinho.
The 26-year-old joined the Danish Euro squad on Tuesday after delaying his arrival due to the death of his mother.
Gronkjaer joined Chelsea from Ajax for 7.8 million pounds in October 2000.
He made 48 appearances last season, scoring three goals in the closing 10 days of the campaign.