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Euro 2000 winners France head into their final Group D encounter with one foot already in the quarterfinals. Standing between them and a mouth-watering clash against Italy is Sweden, who were knocked out of the tournament last week. With six out of eight quarter-finalists decided, France will know that the group runners-up are slated to face-off against Spain in the next round.
Pedigree
Sweden
Zlatan Ibrahimovic led Sweden have been unlucky, to be honest. Despite playing competitive football and proving a match for both their previous opponents, Sweden have been victims of a spectacular individual performance on both occasions. Against Ukraine, it was the legendary Andriy Shevchenko who scored two inspirational goals in a charged-up atmosphere. Theo Walcott was England’s hero as he came off the bench to score the equalizer and then set up the winner as the Swedes failed to counter the diminutive winger’s pace and running with the ball. But tonight, with nothing to lose and only pride to play for, Sweden might just come up with a surprise or two. They’ll never have a better chance to show their true mettle as Erik Hamren will give them the creative freedom to enjoy the match and spoil France’s party.
Trending
France
Les Bleus have come into their own as the tournament progressed. After a cautious start against England, France upped their tempo and turned on the heat against Ukraine in match they could and should have scored more. A fast-paced attacking game involving subtle touches and intricate inter-play has been a feature of Laurent Blanc’s tactical methodology, a switch which has seen them go unbeaten in 24 games since August 2010. Their excellent run of form can be partly owed to the brilliant successive displays by their stalwarts. Ribery, Nasri and Benzema all came into the tournament on the back of successful club campaigns and the terrific trio hasn’t taken much time to take their exploits to the international arena. Benzema set up both the goals against Ukraine as Yohan Cabaye and Jeremy Menez came to the fore for France. A low-on-confidence Swedish side will find it difficult to handle France if they can bring out their typical game tonight.
Probable line-ups and formations
SWEDENIsakssonLustig, Mellberg, J.Olsson, M.OlssonWilhelmsson, Kallstrom, Svensson, ElmIbrahimovicElmander | FRANCE LlorisDebuchy, Koscielny, Mexes, ClichyM’Vila, DiarraMenez, Nasri, Ribery, Benzema |
Sweden will look to continue with the same formation they’ve been playing in for a while now. A 4-4-1-1 setup will see a flat back-four with Jonas Olsson and Mellberg expected to start in the centre of defense. Hamren might be tempted to start Lustig as a right-back in place of Granqvist who has looked a little vulnerable in that position. Ibrahimovic, who has been used as an advanced playmaker in the hole behind the primary forward, should continue in that role unless Hamren decides that his finishing skills haven’t been used to great effect in the tournament. Rasmus Elm or Sebastien Larsson might make way for Wilhelmsson while Kim Kallstrom, their best player in the tournament, will look to dictate play and create enough chances for Elmander and Ibrahimovic to convert.
Things couldn’t be brighter for France. They’ve found a perfect combination with each player performing true to his potential and aiding to the unity and freedom with which the French have played so far. An inferior side in Sweden might prompt Blanc to make a few changes to his team, to give a couple of players some much needed playing time and to give the others a day-off in sight of the potentially gruelling fixture against Italy or Spain. Reveillere might replace Debuchy in the right back position and Arsenal stopper Koscielny is expected to start in Rami’s position while M’Vila is expected to start his first game at the Euros in place of Cabaye, who is nursing a slight knock in his leg. Benzema, after an encouraging display against Ukraine, should again get the nod ahead of Giroud, who will surely play some part later in the game. Nasri, Ribery and Menez should be confident of keeping their places.
Group D- Permutation and Combination
| Group D | W | D | L | GD | PTS | |
1 | France | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
2 | England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
3 | Ukraine | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
4 | Sweden | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
Sweden’s failure to register a single win so far has made this group a slightly easier mathematical solution than compared to the other groups. As group leaders, France need just a point to guarantee a place in the quarterfinals. An outright victory will assure them of the top spot while a draw in both the games tonight will also see France finish on top of the pile. France’s chances of elimination are next to zero, the Les Bleus can only be ousted if they and England both lose their respective matches but England end up having a superior goal difference. Hosts Ukraine will have a set target in mind when they come onto the pitch as they can qualify only by winning against England. Whoever finishes second will have to face the mighty Spaniards in the quarterfinals.
Prediction
Some might feel the match result is a no-brainer. But the Swedes have been seasoned campaigners in major international tournaments for a pretty long time and things just haven’t clicked for them in Euro 2012. With absolutely nothing at stake, they’ll come hard at France and look to play with freedom, and every football aficionado knows what freedom can do to eleven down-hearted footballers. France, meanwhile, will look to continue their delightful brand of football and take full advantage of the morale in the Swedish dressing room.
We’ll go for a 2-1 victory for France.
Match Details
Venue: Olympic Stadium, KievKick-off: 12:00 midnight ISTLive on Neo Prime
