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Sweden fail to make experience count - Euro 08 Elimination | Help spread the word: Share on Facebook 
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Despite a winning start to Euro 08, Sweden find themselves in the unusual position of being eliminated at the Group Stages of a major tournament.After a competent opening victory over reigning champions Greece and after an impressive recent history of qualification from the Group Stages in major competitions (Euro 2000 the exception), expectations that Sweden would progress to the last eight were relatively high. A last minute winner by Spain in their second game placed them under pressure going into their final match against the Russians, despite only needing a point from the game, who took the initiative and deserved their victory and place in the Quarter Finals. Swedish Coach Lars Lagerback has been public however with is displeasure at leaving the tournament after only the Group Stages. The intonation of his comments suggest that there will now be a number changes in future Swedish squads. Starting Euro 08 they had the oldest average squad at 31years and surely, after three international retirements, we have seen the last Henrik Larsson in a Swedish shirt. Lagerback felt, that despite efforts to encourage the team to play more football in the Russian half, the second goal was a killer blow and they were unable to create an opening to claw their way back into the game. Russia produced their best performance of the competition and now face the Netherlands in the Quarter Finals. George Parker Fancy writing for LiveFootball? Click here to find out more. |