For Sweden, the European Championships has come to a sudden end after the group phase. Without Werder Bremen striker Markus Rosenberg in the side, the Yellow-Blues crashed to a 0:2 (0:1) defeat at the hands of trainer Gus Hiddink’s Russian side who now progress to the quarter finals.
For Sweden, the European Championships has come to a sudden end after the group phase. Without Werder Bremen striker Markus Rosenberg in the side, the Yellow-Blues crashed to a 0:2 (0:1) defeat at the hands of trainer Gus Hiddink’s Russian side who now progress to the quarter finals. After a rather subdued opening period, the pacy Russians took the lead in the 24th minute through Roman Pavlyuchenko. A minute later, Henrik Larsson saw his wonderfully flicked headed effort bounce away off the top of the crossbar. In the 36th minute, Russia could have extended their lead but were denied by the crossbar, as was Sweden’s Freddie Ljungberg with his effort just before the break.
The Scandinavians raised their game after the break but never really looked threatening. Star turn Zlatan Ibrahimovic was somewhat handicapped by a knee problem, which didn’t help the north Europeans cause. In the 50th minute, the young Russian side struck with a lightening quick counter attack which was finished off by Arshavin who made it 2:0 for the underdogs. Swedish coach Lagerbäck threw all into attack but it was to prove too little, too late for his side who must now disappointedly make the long journey home whilst Russia prepare for a prestigious quarter final clash with the highly fancied Dutch on Saturday, 21.06.2008 in Basel.
