Match Preview: England v Sweden

The city of Gothenburg will play host to Sweden versus England tonight as both sides aim to make it through to the final.

Thomas Walfridsson, Local Organising Committee (LOC) project manager for Gothenburg said: “Having Sweden versus England here for the semi-final, is like hitting the jackpot.”

He notes that many of the Swedish team will be comfortable playing in the new Gamla Ullevi stadium, which has a capacity of 16,700.

“In this Swedish team there are seven players who play here or just outside the city and everyone knows the players. So this is the home ground for them. The coach is also from Gothenburg,” he said.

After a shaky start in their first group game against Finland, scraping through with a 2-1 win with ten-men, England’s performances have since improved markedly.

England’s next game, against one of the tournament favourites, Spain, was an emphatic performance of pace and strength with Fabrice Muamba and Micah Richards shining.

With England qualified, Pearce chose to rest the majority of that team in their next match against Germany. It was a gamble that did not look to have paid-off when Germany took an early lead, but England gradually took control and equalized through a Jack Rodwell header. A draw was enough to see England through as group winners, setting up tonight’s encounter with Sweden.

Stuart Pearce’s men have been practicing their penalty kicks ahead of the game. The young lions succumbed to hosts Holland after an epic penalty shoot-out at the same stage in 2007, and they would not want a repeat this year. 

Sweden coach, Jorgen Lennartsson, has admitted that practicing penalties is not high on his agenda. “It is about the situation in the game, how the performance has been in the match until the penalty shoot-out, the players who have confidence, the players who feel fit, and the players with experience in this situation. So for me it’s not possible to do this ranking now because we have to do this when the game is over and feel how everyone is.”

Sweden have looked in breathtaking form at times in this tournament scoring nine goals in their three group games, including a 5-1 rout of Belarus who troubled Serbia and Italy.

Marcus Berg (pictured) has scored five goals in the three games and is the leading scorer in the tournament. His partnership with PSV Eindhoven’s Ola Toivonen is something England will need to be wary of.

Rasmus Elm , the creator in midfield, will also be a player to look out for and of course there will be the extra hurdle of the passionate home support. There was disappointment though, for Pontus Wernbloom and Emir Bajrami, who miss out through suspension.

A final in Malmo with either Italy or Germany awaits the victor in what is sure to be a compelling match.

 Photo credit: antoon

Match Preview: Italy v Germany

These two famous footballing nations will line up against each other at Helsingborg's Olympia tonight as they aim to make it through to the final against either England or Sweden.

Italy will be looking to add to their five tournament wins at this level while Germany will be looking for their first.

Tonight's match pits arguably the best defence of the tournament against the best attack. Germany have only conceded one goal in their three qualifying games, a Jack Rodwell header for England.

Benedikt Howedes and Jerome Boateng have been impressive in the German centre-back pairing. Howedes has chipped in with a goal while boateng set up Gonzalo Castro's strike against England.

Italy, meanwhile, have a trio of attacking stars in the form of Sebastian Giovinco, Robert Aquafresca and Mario Balotelli (pictured). The latter will return from suspension following his sending-off against Sweden, but the Ghanaian-born striker showed his class with an expertly taken finish before his moment of madness.

Aquafresca has also looked potent in attack. The Cagliari striker scored three times in the group stage and is attracting interest both at home and abroad. he currently lies second in the list of top goalscorers in the tournament, behind Marcus Berg who has five goals.

Giovinco, meanwhile, is the creative force in the team, often dropping deep to link up with the midfielders. His small frame allows him a low centre of gravity making him difficult to knock-off the ball.

It will be an intriguing match and no doubt a competitive one as games between these nations generally are. With a place in the final at stake no love will be lost in the most fanatic of Swedish footballing cities.

Photo Credit: segnaleorario

Match Report: Italy v Belarus

Italy have set up a semi-final date with Germany as two goals from Robert Aquafresca overcame a spirited Belarus side, who had earlier taken a shock lead.

Sergei Kisylak swivelled to hit a half-volley into the bottom corner sending the Belarus bench into a sprawling mass of bodies in the 45th minute, but a penalty from Robert Aquafresca a minute later and then a second-half tap-in from the Cagliari striker sent the Italians through.

There was a disappointing turn-out at the Olympia stadium in Helsingborgs, with the 12,500 capacity stadium only around a tenth full.

It was a bright start by Italy who took control of the game and looked to use the pace of Ignazio Abate on the right-wing at every opportunity. Sebastian Giovinco (pictured) was also finding a lot of space as he dropped deep to link up with the midfield.

Abate had replaced the suspended Mario Balotelli, and his contribution here shows that Italy have strength in depth in wide areas.

Italy had to make a change fifteen minutes in, as Paolo De Ceglie limped off with a knee injury after going in for a crunching challenge, Daniele Dessena came on in his place.

The first real opportinity of the match came out of nowhere. Sergei Krivets, who had scored a long-range effort against Sweden almost replicated the feat. He was given space 25 yards out and hit a ferocious dipping shot which flew inches over the bar.

It was then Italy's turn to try their luck from range. Marchisio had time to collect and settle himself before dispatching a low drive which narrowly missed the left-hand post.

Half an hour into the match Italy had two attempts cleared off the line. First, Abate's, and then from the resulting corner, Bocchetti's headers were cleared from under the goalposts. There were claims that the first clearance was made using an arm but the referee waved away the appeals.

On the stroke of half-time Belarus took a shock lead. Mikhail Afanasiev whipped a dangerous low cross into the box and Kislyak swivelled hitting the ball on the half-volley across Andrea Consigli and into the bottom corner. Kislyak ran to the bench to be mobbed by the numerous Bealrus players and coaching staff.

Italy responded immediately though. Afanasiev, maybe still reeling from his assist, handled a cross in the penalty area and the referee had no doubts and pointed to the spot.

With the last kick of the first half, Aquafresca stepped-up and coolly slotted the ball past Chesnovski.

Soon after the restart, Aquafreca could have had his second. The Italian marksman found space in the penalty box but sliced his effort after being put under pressure.

Italy then came even coser in the 57th minute as Bochetti rose above the defence to head a Giovinco corner against the bar, it was scrambled clear and Cigarini's follow-up shot was blocked.

Italy were not having it all their own way however, as Leonid Kovel lined up a free-kick from 25 yards out, and Consigli would have been relieved to see the swerving shot drift narowly over.

Giovinco nearly scored the goal that he had deserved on 65 minutes, when he raced onto a Antonio Candreva through-ball. The little Juventus man tried to lift it over the onrushing goalkeeper, but Chesnovski managed to get a hand to it. The ball bounced towards goal but it was hastily knocked behind by Bordachov.

Italy did not hae to wait long for the second however, as eight minutes later another through-ball by Candreva put Giovinco one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he drew Chesnovski towards him and unselfishly squared the ball to Aquafresca who eagerly tapped it into the empty net.

Italy were looking to make the game safe and Giovinco nearly made it three fifteen minutes from time. He was given acres of space on the edge of the box and dispatched a dipping effort onto the bar.

Italy were celebrating soon afterwards though as the final whistle went, and they will remain in Helsingborg for their semi-final with Germany on Friday.

Photo Credit: Prettyfriendship

Live Commentary: Italy v Belarus

To follow live commentary on Italy v Belarus please click here 

England 'keeper makes his tournament debut

It is not every day that a player plying his trade outside of the top two divisions is able to pull on the famous Three Lions jersey. But that’s what happened on Monday night when Peterborough goalkeeper, Joe Lewis, made his tournament debut for the England Under-21s.

Lewis entered the field at the start of the second half, replacing Scott Loach in the England goal with the game on a knife-edge at 1-1. The winner would finish top of the group.

Lewis did not have much to do as England dominated the second half: “No, but that’s how we like it,” he said. “The defence did their job well, I think generally were happy with the draw obviously we would like the win but we finished top of the group and carried on the momentum for the first two wins and a draw here keep the momentum going for the semi-final.”

The 21 year-old helped Peterborough to two successive promotions, and they will be playing their football in the second tier of English football in the Championship come August.  Would the potential full international consider leaving for a bigger club?

“We’ve had back to back promotions now so it would be a silly time for anyone to level the cub I feel. It’s going to be a massive step for the club and I’m really looking forward to Championship football next season,” he said.

The 6ft 6ins ‘keeper was called up to the full England squad under Capello for the friendlies against Trinidad and tobago and the United States, but he did not make it onto the pitch. He admits though that he would love to play at full international level, but sees it as a long term goal.

“That’s the ultimate aim for any English goalkeeper, to play for England, but I’m not going to get ahead of myself. Club-wise I’m going to keep playing and try to impress at the championship level at the moment I’m unproven at that level so it’s another step for me. I’ve got to prove to certain people and to myself that I’m good enough for that. Fingers crossed in a few years time if I’m playing well for the club then I can look at making the senior squad.”

Joe Hart is the recognised number one for the under-21’s, but if needed Stuart Pearce will know the team would be in safe hands with Lewis.

Under-21 ace hopes for more playing time

Martin Cranie was given limited playing time at Portsmouth last season, but with Glen Johnson’s proposed move to Liverpool reported to be near completion, Cranie hopes for more playing time next season.

The 22 year-old, who is presently in Sweden with the England under-21s preparing for their semi-final against Sweden, said: “I’m not sure what’s going on with Glen Johnson I haven’t really heard too much but I’ll wait and see what happens when I go back, but hopefully I’ll get more chances next season”

Cranie did enough to impress Harry Redknapp at Southampton that the manager took him with him to Portsmouth in 2007. With Glen Johnson’s impressive form and Redknapp departing leaving for Tottenham, the young right-back’s chances were limited.

Impressive performances for the under-21s though will have done his chances no harm. With a new manager likely to take over at the start of next season, Cranie will be hoping that whoever that may be will be keeping a close eye on events in Sweden.

 

 

England defender believes squad is key

England under-21 defender, James Tomkins, believes that the strength in depth of the squad is the key ingredient that has seen the young lions into Friday’s semi-final.

Speaking after his teams draw with Germany in the final group game, Tomkins said: “The all round squad, the whole 23, is a good team whatever the gaffer puts out.  So the gaffer might have a problem in putting out his next team after some of the lads did really well today.”

England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce opted to rest the players who had started the previous match, replacing them with a number of debutants and handing Tomkins his first start of the competition. Every one of the 23-man squad has now played some part in the tournament.

The West Ham defender is hoping England can go one step further than in 2007 when they were knocked out by Holland in the semi-final on penalties. He said: “We’ve got to take one game at a time and obviously the semi final is next and whoever we’re going to get is going to be a tough draw so if we win that we’ll have a great chance.”

The semi-final in Gothenburg on Friday will host England against Italy, Sweden or Serbia depending on tonight’s results in Group A.

 

 

 

Match Report: England v Germany

Jack Rodwell produced a commanding performance in midfield to send England through to the semi-finals as group winners in Halmstad on Monday night. 

The Everton prodigy's first-half bullet header cancelled out an earlier strike by Gonzalo Castro which had given Germany hope that they could beat their old adversaries.

Stuart Pearce, the England Under-21 coach made wholesale changes to the starting line up, with only Adam Johnson from the first eleven agaisnt Spain retaining his place in the side.

Danny Rose, Richard Stearman, James Tomkins, Andrew Driver and goalkeeper Scott loach, all made their first appearcances of the tournament. It was a gamble, but one Pearce thought worth taking as quaification for the last four was already ensured.

The setting could not have been better. Orjans vall, Halmstad's 7,500 seater stadium is nestled among the reeds on the banks of the Nissan river. This tranquility was disrupted briefly at the kick-off as a group of German fans behind the goal set off a banger, shaking te stadiums foundations and waking most of us out of our mid-summer slumber. What's more the smoke from the flare shrouded half of the pitch in a dense fog.

Minutes after the fog had dissipated, Germany were in-front. Athletic defender, Jerome Boateng, slid an inch-perfect through-ball to Gonzalo Castro. Michael Mancienne must have still had smoke in his eyes as he failed to track the winger. The Bayer Leverkusen winger took a first touch to set himself and then dispatched a cool finish between the legs of Loach. WIth only four minutes gone, England's players must have been wondering whether their coach had led them to the slaughterhouse.

The Germans looked confident having scored the goal, but England gradually took control. Jack Rodwell was everywhere, making crucnching challenges, charging forward and organising the midfield. Craig Gardner, the England captain, was also putting in a commanding performance, which may go some way towards persuading his club manager Martin O'Neill to hold fire on purchasing a replacment for Gareth Barry.

Danny Rose, supporting Frazier Campbell upfront, was also playing well on his competitive debut, as was Andrew Driver on the right. The Scotland-based wiger had previously had the opportunity to play for Scotland, but having made his competitive debut here, he will only be able to conitnue his international career with the Three Lions.

After a bright start, Germany were suddenly limited to counter-attacks as England's players passed the ball around with confidence. Jack Rodwell nearly equalised for England, rising above the defence to make contact with Craig Gardner's corner, but he could not direct his header downwards. But it was a warning for Germany.

The warning was not heeded as in the 29th minute, the man dubbed by some as the new Rio Ferdinand, rose majestically to meet another corner. This time he made better contact and sent a thumping header into the bottom corner. Cue celebrations among the travelling England contingent.

Rodwell could have had his, and England's, second soon afterwards as he beat Sami Khedeira to a ball on the halfway line and went on marauding 50 yard run, reminiscnet of Ferdinand in his West Ham days. Rodwell jinked past Howedes and let fly from the edge of the box, sadly for him though it went high and wide.

Germany were struggling to get to grips with the tempo England were setting and went into half-time decidedly second-best - but with the scores level it was still anyone's for the taking.

Pearce decided to introduce Joe Lewis, the Peterborough goalkeeper, at half time. Lewis had until this point been the only member of the squad not to have played a part in the tournament.

The second half started as the first ended, with England in complete control. Germany were reduced to long shots and break-aways but never really looked assured in front of goal.

Theo Walcott was introduced with just over 30 minutes remaining, replacing Frazier Campbell as the lone front man. The Arsenal forward has been used sparingly in the tournament and was again given only a limited time to impress.

Mesut Ozil, Germany's stand-out performer so far in the tournament, tried to create openings for himself but each time the England defence stood firm. Gemany's best chance to clinch a winning goal came from Benedikt Howedes as he ghosted away from his marker at the near post to connect to a corner - but he could only direct his header wide of Lewis' goal.

England had a chance of their own with 12 minutes remaining. Richard Stearman found the ball at his feet after Neuer failed to claim a corner, but after taking one touch too many, the German defence closed him down and his shot was blocked.

Adam Johnson (pictured) was named as the official man of the match, but many would agree that Rodwell's was the stand-out performance for England, leaving Pearce with a headache in terms of team selection for the semi-final. 

As the final whistle blew, Pearce would have been content knowing that his gamble had paid off and what's more knowing that his team had outclassed arguably Germany's strongest eleven. Germany will, no doubt, want to impress again though and who knows a date with England in the final may await, a mouthwatering prospect.

The other game in Group B finished with Spain beating Finland by two goals to nil. Marc Torrejon and Pedro Leon scored for the third placed team, but with Germany gaining the point they needed to progress, the result was insignificant in terms of group standings.


Photo credit - p_a_h