Friday, June 15, 2012

UEFA European Championship - Update 5

Ukraine vs. France
0-2

Laurent Koscielny was an unused substitute for France in their two-nil victory against Ukraine.

Sweden vs. England
2-3

Both Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came on as second half substitutes for England against Sweden, and the former in particular proved why he should have been in the starting line-up.
England started the game by taking the lead through a header from Carroll, and kept it into half-time. However, as soon as the game kicked off again Olof Mellberg equalised for the Swedes and within ten minutes the same player (a centre-half, that is) gave them the lead.
Then (finally) Hodgson decided it was time for Theo to make his mark on this tournament. The winger came on in the 61st minute and immediately changed the course of the game. England won a corner that was headed clear from goal, straight into the path of Mr Walcott who fired instantly, curving the ball beautifully above Isaksson in the Swedish goal. His celebration included a casual shrug, which was pretty much spot on, as I think pretty much everyone expected that one to be cleared by Isaksson. However, it was a well struck goal from Theo, and very much deserved since he brought endless of pace and energy to England in this game. Not long after his goal he set up the winner for Welbeck. Using his pace at its best capacity, he squeezed between two defenders and placed the ball backwards, straight to Welbeck who, cheekily, heeled the ball into the back of the net. When the last minutes were approaching Oxlade-Chamberlain was introduced, and came close to scoring from a Walcott cross. Sadly, Gerrard got in the way of the young Englishman, and the chance was wasted.

This result means that Sweden has no chance whatsoever of qualifying, whereas England find themselves second to France (on goal difference) in group D.


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