Greece vs Sweden, 2008 European Championship, Group Stage
· UEFA European ChampionshipAbout
Greece are hosting Sweden
at Wals-Siezenhem Stadion, , Austria, starting on
. The match is a part of the UEFA European Championship.
Match Timeline
- 0': Tuesday's second match is Greece v Sweden in Salzburg. The match kicks-off at 19.45 Uk time, join us for all the action!
- 0': Good evening and welcome to coverage of Greece v Sweden in Group D, live and direct from Salzburg. Spain's impressive win over Russia basically means these two, with Guus Hiddink's men, are battling for second, so a win for either side tonight would be a huge step in the right direction.
- 0': Here are the teams, starting wityh Greece: Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Kyrgiakos, Antzas, Dellas, Torosidis, Charisteas, Basinas, Katsouranis, Karagounis and Gekas. Subs from: Chalkias, Goumas, Vyntra, Spyropoulos, Patsatzoglou, Giannakopoulos, Tziolis, Samaras, Salpigidis, Amanatidis, Liberopoulos and Tzorvas.
- 0': And Sweden: Isaksson, Alexandersson, Mellberg, Hansson, Nilsson, Wilhelmsson, Svensson, Ljungberg, Andersson, Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson. Subs: Shaaban, Dorsin, Stoor, Majstorovic, Granqvist, Kallstrom, Sebastian Larsson, Linderoth, Allback,Rosenberg, Elmander and Wiland.
- 0': So, the veteran Henrik Larsson gets the nod up front alongside the golden (or should I say yellow) boy of Swedish football, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Can Henrik still cut it at the ripe old age of 36? Can he work in tandem with the immensley giftted but, sometimes prickly and temperamental, talent of Ibrahimovic?
- 0': As for reigning champions Greece, if they were unfancied in 2004, they have all but been written off here. They were an unknown quanitity in 2004 but with the same coach in charge, Otto Rehhagel, and many of the same players operating in a similar system, surely they can't repeat the feat?
- 0': Only the most positive of pundits would predict an open, flowing game with chances aplenty at both ends. I'm going for a dull, lifeless, turgid and tactical battle with one goal if we're lucky. Glass half full anyone?
- 1': We begin...
- 2': Six of the lads who were victorious in the final four years ago line-up for Greece tonight.
- 3': We have our first booking, Charisteas is carded for a late challenge on Peter Hansson.
- 4': Sweden force the first corner, Svensson wangs it in and Larsson is a whisker away from meeting it as Greek keeper Nikopolidis flapped at it.
- 5': Sweden are bang on the money to begin with, snapping into tackles and bristling with confidence. Perhaps that is their antidote to Greece's stodgy approach.
- 6': Torosidis trundles down the left for Greece but his cross is poor and Mellberg clears.
- 7': What a run from Charisteas! He's beaten four men on the left before bursting into the area and getting off a shot that Isaksson saves comfortably in the end! Greece lightning! Sorry.
- 8': Katsouranis goes down about five minutes after challenging for the ball with Wilhelmsson. Bit of a delayed reaction from the midfielder.
- 9': A nice break down the right from Sweden grinds to a halt as Ibrahimovic tries an audacious flick. Will he fire tonight? Can he be bovved?
- 10': Anders Svensson lashes in a left foot volley from 25 yards after a long throw was cleared by Dellas. It fizzed just a few yards wide.
- 11': First sign of a link between Larsson and Ibrahimovic - the latter flicks on to the former then goes for the return but Seitaridis gets a boot in the way.
- 12': Ljungberg releases Ibrahimovic down the left but his challenge on Krygiakos is adjudged a little too firm by our referee. Harsh.
- 14': A bright enough opening so far but no clear cut chances to speak of. We need an early goal to prevent this settling into a predictably cagey pattern I reckon. Or an early few goals. Oooh, that'd be nice.
- 15': Would you believe that Ibrahimovic is two-and-a-half years without an International goal? Well I never.
- 16': Offside against Wilhelmsson after Svensson's header found him ten yards out with only keeper to beat. He was about as far offside as van Nistelrooy was last night, that's how far.
- 17': Karagounis tricks his way past Alexandersson on the left but Mellberg clears his cross, then Bassinas wastes his pass and the Greek momentum is lost.
- 18': Svensson has plenty of time to pick out a pass for Larsson, his flick allows Wilhelmsson to find Ibrahimovic but he is crowded out before Ljungberg gets clattered in a sandwich between Dellas and Anztas. Ooh, Freddy looks hurt.
- 19': He's alright - his modelling contract is in tact despite taking a knee to the ribs and an elbow to the face.
- 21': The Swedish fans are making plenty of noise, and they look fantastic, all decked out in yellow.
- 22': Bassinas spreads the play to Karagounis who has room to manoeuvre, but his ball is poor. Then Ibrahimovic nips in front of Dellas but delays his cross so long that everyone loses the will to live.
- 23': Karagounis is again found in space with a wonderful crossfield ball from Bassinas, but Alexandersson is across swiftly to rob him of the ball.
- 24': Hansson hesitates after Gekas had flicked on into the path of Charisteas. Luckily for him the ball bounces kindly and he can hoof it clear.
- 25': Something happen please...
- 26': Oooh, a throw in.
- 27': Cross from Alexandersson. Foul by Ibrahimovic. Free kick to Greece.
- 28': Greece have managed to stifle the game and dampen some of the early sparkle Sweden displayed. They are looking very ordinary going forward too. Get set for a long night people.
- 29': A ljung-busting run from Freddy, and he wins a corner for his hard work after taking on Dellas in a straight sprint after some neat footwork.
- 30': Svensson's corner is cleared, the return from Hansson finds Ibrahimovic but he can't make room for a shot. Greece hold firm.
- 31': Oh dear, a poor ball from Henrik Larsson. In space down the right channel he has plenty of time to pick out Ibrahimovic but leaves it short. Then Ljungberg floats in a ball which Ibrahimovic flicks onto the top of the net as Nikopolidis came rushing out for no reason.
- 32': Then Seiteridis curls in a beautiful cross which Olof Mellberg does well to nod behind, over his own net, for a corner to Greece.
- 33': Mellberg gets his bonce to the corner and Sweden clear.
- 34': Katsouranis wants a good slap for that. His mate Karagounis was in space on the left but his ball was woeful. Woeful I tell ya!
- 35': Ten minutes left for a goal in the opening half. Don't count on it.
- 36': Svensson lofts a lovely ball over the top for Wilhelmsson, his back heel offers Larsson a shooting chance but he opts for a ball to Ibrahimovic which he leaves short. Has Henrik finally lost the plot? Where is the killer instinct?
- 37': Greece are just sitting in their own half knocking it left to right at the minutue, like they are running the clock down. We're in the 38th minute!
- 38': At least the move ends with a shot - Charisteas hits one right at Isaksson.
- 39': This is ridiculous. Sweden are sitting in formation and the three Greek defenders knock it between themselves in their own half to a crescendo of boos from the Swedish fans. Amazing. Even for Greece.
- 40': How on earth did this side win the thing in 2004? Astonishing. They should be thrown out of the tournament on the strength of that passage of play alone.
- 41': I wonder what ESPNsoccernet's editor John Brewin makes of the game? He's out there in Salzburg for the game. What a match to pick eh? You can read his thoughts later...
- 42': Some light relief comes in the form of a full on kick in the pods for Ibrahimovic from Bassinas. Funny for everyone, apart from Zlata.
- 43': Here we go again. No adventure whatsoever from the Greeks. Its pathetic. Dellas finally feels a little guilty for wasting so much time with aimless passing and he whacks it out of play looking for Karagounis.
- 44': Wow! A Greek shot! Bassinas forces Isaksson into a save. Corner for Greece, which is cleared by Mellberg.
- 45': If you are Greek I apologise, but your team is a disgrace. Come on Sweden!
- 45': A great burst to the byline from Wilhelmsson, and a lovely lofted cross but Dellas just eases Larsson out of the way and the danger is over for now.
- 45': There is half time. Pitiful from Greece, purposeful from Sweden but ultimately dour. Please come back in 15 minutes! Please!
- 46': Please lord, let's have some better fare in the second half, which is now underway..
- 47': A change for Greece, Georgios Samaras - currently on loan at Celtic from Man City - is on for Gekas.
- 48': Will the change inject a bit of passion or energy into the Greek play? I highly doubt it, but we can dream can't we?
- 48': Wilhelmsson has won a corner. Come on Sweden!
- 49': A short corner is well worked between Svensson and Wilhelmsson and in the fall out from the latter's cross, Hansson's ball over top affords the winger another chance as Nikopolidis rushed out but his lob is well over the bar.
- 50': What a shame Sweden couldn't take advantage of that unusually lax Greek defending. Wilhelmsson had oodles of time to execute his lob but rather rushed it.
- 51': Ljungberg wins a free kick and Seitaridis is booked for the foul. Free kick, left edge of the box, 30 yards out.
- 52': Ibrahimovic whacks it and it takes a flick on its way over the bar. Corner.
- 53': A very poor corner from Svensson allows Katsouranis to clear at the near post.
- 54': Charisteas wins a free kick after Hansson clattered into him in the air. Another set piece chance for the Grecians.
- 54': Andersson nods behind for a corner. The aerial threat continues....
- 55': For a team whose philosophy is built on stifling teams at one end and pinching a goal from either free kick or corner at the other, the Greek's delivery has been useless.
- 56': Ljungberg is in the wars again, this time Katsouranis chops him down. Poor old Freddie.
- 57': A neat interchange between Ibrahimovic and Ljungberg nearly results in a chance for Alexandersson. But doesn't.
- 58': This game had 0-0 written all over it before kick off, and if it doesn't finish that way I'll eat the nearest hat I can find in the soccernet office.
- 59': Oh dear. Greece are it again, sitting in their own half with the ball and standing practically still.
- 60': When they finally find the cojones to punt it forward they win a free kick and can load the box with their big men once again. Luckily Isaksson claims.
- 61': Torosidis has been booked for pulling down Wilhelmsson. Swedeish free kick, wide on the left. Hits the wall. Poor.
- 62': Oh no! Greece nearly scored! Mellberg gave the ball away in his own half leaving Karagounis almost clean through, he checked and offloaded to Basinas but his shot was charged down by Nilsson. Don't do that to me Sweden.
- 63': Great noise again from the Swedish fans. Come on lads, let's net a goal for them eh?
- 64': Svensson tries to deliver but wasn't odds on from 45 yards to be honest.
- 65': Greece go close again! This time Seitaridis's cross behind Hansson leaves the defender struggling - he manages to get a head on it but that only sends the ball agaonsingly wide of Isaksson's net! Corner.
- 67': GOAL! Yes! Sweden score and its Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a pearler!
- 67': What a goal, and how fitting that such a stunning strike lifts this game out of the gloom! Ibrahimovic plays a one-two with Larsson and smashes it from 25 yards out right into the top corner. Special!
- 68': Greece try to hit back and win a corner. Isaksson comes but doesn't get it thenB asinas has his shot blocked by Alexandersson.
- 69': At last! A goal! Just what the game needed. Come on then Greece, let's see what you're made of. Come on, come on!
- 70': Greek change, defender Dellas is off and Amanatidis, a striker, is on.
- 71': Zlatan's work is done and he leaves the field to a rousing reception from his yellow fans. Johan Elmander comes on.
- 72': GOAL! Sweden make it two! The messiest goal you'll ever see!
- 72': Larsson put Ljungberg clean through, his shot was blocked, the ball spooned up in the air, Hansson went for it, it ricochets off Seitaridis, then off Hanson again and creeps over the line!
- 73': Justice, my friends, has been done. The only team on display interested in playing the beautiful game leads by two goals to nil. In your face Greece.
- 73': Fredrik Stoor is on for Niclas Alexandersson.
- 74': Wilhelmsson flies down the right then pulls up with what looks like a hamstring tweak. If it is, that is his tournament over.
- 75': Oh dear. That looks terminal for Wilhelmsson in terms of this competition. Larsson was about to come off before that. I think he'll be staying on for the duration now.
- 76': Back on the field Amanatidis crosses for Charisteas but his shot squirms into the arms of Isaksson.
- 77': Sweden's fans are ole-ing their team's every touch now. They must be mighty relieved to have finally broken the deadlock.
- 78': Wilhelmsson's replacement is Markus Rosenberg.
- 79': Nifty footwork from Ljungberg earns him a kick from the frustrated Basinas. Then Sweden win a free kick right on the edge of the box, right of centre.
- 80': Larsson looks like he fancies it. Come on Henrik!
- 81': Oh dear. Terrible. Carry on.
- 82': I must say I've nothing against the Greek side at all. I even cheered them on four years ago when they employed similar tactics - albeit with a little more intent - but tonight they have been atrocious. Only worse than their performance has been their attitude. Stinky isn't the word.
- 84': Greece will have to abandon their incredible negative tactics for the next game you feel. They surely need a win against Russia before they face Spain in the final round of group games.
- 85': The game has taken on a 'friendly' feel now as the clock winds down.
- 86': Decent chance for Greece after Stoor gifted the ball to Torosidis - he nipped round Hansson and fired in a shot from a narrow angle that Isaksson was equal to.
- 87': Thank goodness Ibrahimovic punctured the despondency with a piece of genius,. If he hadn't I can confidently predict we'd be sitting at 0-0 now and rapidly contemplating self harm.
- 89': So, the eight game of Euro 2008 is drawing to a close, which means we've now seen all the runners and riders. Spain, Holland, Germany and Portugal have been the stand-out teams for me so far.
- 90': Two minutes added time.
- 91': Samaras sums up Greece's night by falling over under no pressure from anyone at all. Tee hee.
- 92': That is that, and thank goodness Sweden ensured football was the winner tonight. Having a tactical game plan is one thing, sitting in your own half time wasting after only half an hour is criminal. Greece should be ashamed of themselves. There's no place for such explicit negativity in this celebration of football. Well done Sweden, good riddance Greece. See you next time...
Statistics
 SWE |
GRE |
|
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Fouls | 11 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 1 | Offsides | 1 |
| 6 | Corner Kicks | 6 |
| 7 | Saves | 2 |
| 52 | Possession | 48 |
| 10 | SHOTS | 6 |
| 5 | ON GOAL | 6 |
| 0.5 | On Target % | 1.0 |
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
| 0 | Penalty Kicks Taken | 0 |
| 8 | Accurate Passes | 8 |
| 8 | Passes | 8 |
| 0.0 | Pass Completion % | 0.0 |
| 4 | Accurate Crosses | 3 |
| 6 | Crosses | 9 |
| 0.7 | Cross % | 0.3 |
| 0 | Long Balls | 0 |
| 0 | Accurate Long Balls | 0 |
| 0.0 | Long Balls % | 0.0 |
| 2 | Blocked Shots | 1 |
| 0 | Effective Tackles | 0 |
| 0 | Tackles | 0 |
| 0.0 | Tackle % | 0.0 |
| 0 | Interceptions | 0 |
| 5 | Effective Clearances | 3 |
| 5 | Clearances | 3 |
Game Information
Competition: UEFA European Championship
Venue: Wals-Siezenhem Stadion
Location: , Austria
Attendance: 30,000
Venue: Wals-Siezenhem Stadion
Location: , Austria
Attendance: 30,000
EURO Table
| # | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austria | 3 | +2 | 6 |
| 2 | France | 3 | +1 | 5 |
| 3 | Netherlands | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Poland | 3 | -3 | 1 |
Line-Ups
Greece
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Antonis Nikopolidis (GK) |
| 2 | Giourkas Seitaridis  |
| 16 | Sotirios Kyrgiakos |
| 19 | Paraskevas Antzas |
| 5 | Traianos Dellas |
| 15 | Vasilis Torosidis |
| 6 | Angelos Basinas |
| 21 | Kostas Katsouranis |
| 10 | Georgios Karagounis |
| 9 | Angelos Charisteas |
| 17 | Theofanis Gekas |
Sweden
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Andreas Isaksson (GK) |
| 3 | Olof Mellberg |
| 4 | Petter Hansson |
| 2 | Mikael Per Benny Nilsson |
| 7 | Niclas Alexandersson |
| 21 | Christian Wilhelmsson |
| 8 | Anders Svensson |
| 9 | Freddie Ljungberg |
| 19 | Daniel Andersson |
| 10 | Zlatan Ibrahimovic |
| 17 | Henrik Larsson |
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