Euro Cup 2012 Results – Sweden 2 – 3 England

The opening exchanges between the two teams is scrappy as both teams try to grab a foot hold in the game. England seem to have slightly more possession in the first 10 minutes but they still give the ball away easily and neither team can create many chances.

At the end of the first 20 minutes not much has changed, with Zlatan having the only chance for Sweden shooting from long distance and a Danny Welbeck header not finding the goal for the only chance for England.

Steven Gerrard in the England midfield, a few minutes later, provides a wonderful cross into the box for Andy Carroll to nod home putting England 1 – 0 up half way through the first half. After the goal England have dropped deeper slightly, which you have to say is a mistake, and Sweden enjoy their best spell of posession in the game.

England have been very wasteful in possession in the later parts of the first half. Sweden have been the better side for the last 5 minutes and now around the 40Th minutes England start to seem to keep the ball a bit better a probe forward. Still carelessly giving the ball away though, not the best game of the tournament so far, Ibrahimovic coming more into the game now as well.

Just before half time not and first Sweden have a decent spell of possession in front of the England box, then England break with Danny Welbeck who is well tackled by last man Melberg in the Swedish defence. Last minutes of the first have and England earn a corner but it comes to nothing, the first half ends 1 – 0 to England.

The second half begins with Sweden coming out the blocks and its not long before the first goal come when And Carroll concedes a free-kick which Ibrahimovic takes and hits the wal, the ball rebounds to the awaiting Melberg who shots and Joe hart saves but the ball hits Glen Johnson and he can’t keep the ball out 1 – 1.

The next few minutes England come more into the game but as England push forward Sweden look to hit them on the break, both teams looking for a winner here and as I type it Sweden score. Melberg gets his second from yet another corner. Melberg is completely unmarked by the England defence, possibly the worst defending of the tournament. England 1 – 2 Sweden

This is not a good performance by England as they work the ball forward for a corner, which is cleared and Ibrahimovic is down the other end. England pile on the pressure and almost score but earn a corner, from the resulting corner England substitute Theo Walcott volleys into the goal from all of 40 yards right into the centre of the goal, good goal but poor keeping! England 2 – 2 Sweden

England havent dropped back this time and are pushing on but Sweden still look dangerous on the break. Carroll has a another shot that goes just wide. Sweden push forward with martin olssen on the left who crossed for Kallstrom who then finishes wide. Good chance for the swedes to go back in the lead there. Ibrahimovic strikes powerfully after a good move by Sweden again, a good save from Joe Hart as that moved fiercely through the air.

England at first looked a bit lazy in getting the ball forward but what do I know, Walcott finds himself in space and runs at the defence and crosses the ball for Welbeck to flick in with the back of his heel, excellent finish. England 3 – 2 Sweden

England keeping possession much better now and breaking again at last England actually look dangerous on an attack. The Swedish team are still in this game, having spells on the ball and searching for an equaliser. Sweden having more and more possession in dangerous positions, it’s make or break for them in this game if the score stays as it is Sweden are out of the competition.

The dying minutes of the match here and England have a free-kick that is hit well over the Sweden goal. England win after a really entertaining second half.

The referee was Damir Skomina from Slovenia and he had a good game.