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Sweden take early advantage in disappointment of a game
Sweden have taken a step closer to joining fellow Scandinavian countries Denmark and Norway in next summer's European Championship Finals with a battling performance to earn a 1-0 win in Belgium. The match will never remain in the memory as a classic, with only four shots at goal throughout the contest, but Uno Andersson will not complain after a strong away performance was rewarded with an away goal. The first half was very much a battling affair, with Alex Farnerud's header over on 22 minutes the only point of actual interest. Tom Soetaers drove straight at Rami Shaaban with five minutes left of the first half, but a poor first half left many amongst the near-50,000 crowd wondering why they had bothered to turn up. The first 45 was better than the second though. For the first half hour of the second half nothing happened. Both sides cancelled each other out, which was only to be expected really. With fifteen minutes to go Zlatan Ibrahimovic escaped for long enough to hit a volley over Silvester Proto's goal. It was enough to open the home side up just in time for a goal. Captain Kim Kallström curled a fantastic free kick from 25 yards out into the top corner to give his side not only a lead, but an away goal. The Leverkusen midfielder had been by some distance the best player on show, and he deserved to score the only goal of a dire and sleep-inducing match. Hopefully both sides will perform far better in four days time.
Belgium 0
Sweden 1 (Kallström 78)
Attendance - 49,958
Referee - Alan Gemmill (Scotland)
Belgium - Proto, Rauw, Zarbo, Van Damme, Wuytens, De Ridder, Janssens (Van der Straeten 64), Malbranque(c), Blondel (Buffel 72), Soetaers, Daerden
Home side Croatia failed to live up to any reputation once again as they fell to a 1-0 home defeat to an utterly dominant Poland, who must be disappointed at only scoring the one goal. Emmanuel Olisadebe presented the Polish gameplan from an early stage, running past the left back and curling a shot just over Pletikosa's goal. Just short of the half hour the Nigerian-born striker hammered a shot against the left hand goalpost from a fair distance out. All the while Poland controlled the game, Croatia failed to do anything. Olisadebe again missed a goalscoring opportunity before Mila had a free kick deflected away from the goal. A thoroughly disappointing first half was followed by a lively start to the second, when Croatia's Carevic should really have done better. Dobek's rather hopeful shot went straight into the grateful hands of Pletikosa, and then Olisadebe wasted his umpteenth chance. His inconsistent finishing was punished as he was removed from the field after an hour, replaced by Artur Wichniarek. It would be an understatement to say Olisadebe was annoyed at the decision taken by his manager. It seemed to do the business though. Piotr Pawlowski was able to emerge into the game more and more, showing as much when beautifully teeing up Wichniarek, who sent his chance wide. After over an hour of trying, Poland finally came through with the goal. Pawlowski was found unmarked inside the eighteen yard box, and the Polonia man got up to head in his maiden international strike. Zielinski came very close to doubling the advantage within minutes - Croatia having Pletikosa to thank for keeping them in with a shout. Werder Bremen's 32 year old stopper was needed three more times before the final whistle to keep the deficit at just one. An improvement must arrive if Croatia are to overturn this - and it has to come soon.
Bulgaria and Finland put on an attacking display on Saturday night in Sofia, and the slender 1-0 advantage held by the home side sets up an intriguing battle in the return game on Wednesday. Aleksandar Mladenov's twelfth minute strike will give Bulgaria an important home lead to take to defend in Helsinki, but if the game in midweek is anything like this then it will be far from a defensive display. A stuttering and staggered opening to the game was settled by Stuttgart's Mladenov, who curled a neat shot into the corner, past Otto Fredrikson. It sparked a Finnish response, in the form of Mikael Forssell's close range header which was somehow pushed out by Vasil Kamburov. Even Sami Hyypia had a crack from distance, but it wasn't to test the Bulgarian stopper. Varese forward Valeri Emilov Bojinov might have done better with a header he put over the crossbar, then Blagoev brought a good stop from Fredrikson. A Berbatov volley was the last attempt of a frantic first half which left fans relieved to have a short break from the action. The second period started in much the same vein. Berbatov rose high above Hyypia, but the Varese veteran did enough to distract the Rostock man enough to see him head wide. As players tired, the action became less fast-paced, but Forssell was still lively enough to draw another quickfire parry out of Kamburov. A final flurry from Antti Muurinen's side was to no avail as the veteran 35 year old keeper was not to be beaten today. The second leg certainly presents some interesting battles - in no small number the Finnish strikers and Vasil Kamburov, who will need to be in just as fine fettle as he was on this occasion.
Bulgaria 1 (A.Mladenov 12)
Finland 0
Attendance - 42,368
Referee- John McDermott (Scotland)
For six nations Wednesday night is the most important of the footballing year. The winner of each playoff tie will earn a coveted spot in the 2012 European Championship Finals in Norway. As of now, Bulgaria, Sweden and Poland all go into the second legs holding a single goal advantage, but that may count for little was what is sure to be a dramatic night evolves. Bulgaria travel to Finland with Alexsandar Mladenov's solitary effort from the first leg in the bag. The first leg exhibited much attacking play, and we can expect much of the same in the second leg as both sides will look to seize an early initiative. Juho Mäkelä is still missing for the hosts, who will again start with Daniel Sjölund up front. The Sociedad hitman knows that the fate of his nation rests somewhat upon his performance: "With Juho missing, Mikael cannot be expected to do everything. The manager has faith in me, and I aim to repay that."
Poland return home holding a 1-0 lead from their match in Croatia at the weekend, and are favourites to progress. Zoran Maric's side were utterly pathetic in their non attempts to play football on Saturday, and a similar display will see Poland through comfortably. The scoreline really should have been more convincing, but inconsistent finishing on the part of Poland and Olisadebe in particular meant that everything is still to play for. However, the Ajax man still posesses enough quality to earn another starting berth along the creative and unselfish Varese playmaker Mateusz Dobek. Croatia have everyone available, but it is down to Maric as to how he approaches the game, as the away side.
Sweden will hold all the aces in Stockholm after winning 1-0 away to Marc Wilmots' Belgium, who now have a tricky night ahead. The first leg was not a classic affair, barely watchable at times, but brighter times look apparent for the second leg, as the Belgians will need to take the game to their hosts. Pieter Collen's failure to recover from injury is a blow, but captain Steed Malbranque is confident they have what it takes to succeed: "Belgium have constantly been under-rated throughout the years. We know, quietly confident, that we can cause what would be considered an upset. Sweden have their weaknesses, which we have pinpointed and plan to take full advantage of." Weaknesses maybe, but Uno Andersson's side have their fair set of strengths, not in the least prolific striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Roma striker has made a fine start to the season, and whilst accusations of selfishness and a lazy attitude have always been labelled to him, his record is undeniable. This one is expected to be the most dramatic of the three.
02-26-2004, 12:25 AM
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Norway. Home of the Vikings, Christmas, and the 2012 European Championships Post #115
An amazing end to the qualification campaign saw Croatia somehow steal into the European Championship Finals with a winner with the last touch of the game. It was made even more amazing as Croatia had been under immense pressure throughout, and somehow came up with the goods to qualify on the away goals rule. In just the third minute Emmanuel Olisadebe was up to his old tricks, hitting the post with a neat spin and shot. Two more headers went over before the first talking point of the game. Croatian forward Mihael Mikic made a rash lunge on Polish left back Daniel Bialek, and it was enough for the Leverkusen man to see red. Forced to defend with a deficiency, Croatia's chances had surely gone out of the window. Yet everything Poland tried didn't come off. Olisadebe, Klimek, Klimowicz and Mila all found Pletikosa in fine form throughout the first half, and Croatia were amazingly clinging onto the weakest of threads. After another Polish spell of dominance after the restart, the Slaski Stadion was silenced by Silvester Sabolcki. Croatia were awarded a free kick slightly left of centre outside the penalty area. The 1860 Munich winger curled a stunning effort into the back of the net to level the tie on aggregate. The lead lasted for barely a minute. Sebastian Mila dribbled through the defence, and when closed off he found Zielinski, who managed to get enough on the ball to beat Pletikosa and surely seal Poland's passage. Dobek would have done if Pletikosa hadn't have made an astounding point-blank save minutes later. But the old Polish inconsistency would come back to haunt them yet again. The home support were already celebrating when Croatia were awarded a late free kick. Piling everyone forward, including goalkeeper Pletikosa, it was now or never. Babic hit the ball with venom, but appeared to have over-hit the cross. Arriving at the back post was Goran Sablic. The Rostock centre back beat Dortmund keeper Wierzchowski and sent Croatia through. Poland could not believe it. The full time whistle went whilst everyone tried to gain a grip on the dramatic developments. Ten man Croatia, thoroughly dominated in both ties, somehow qualify!
Bulgaria have reached their first major Finals tournament since the France 98 World Cup, and for the first time since the days of Stoitchkov, Letchkov and company, a new era of hope may have emerged. It required battling and desire to come away from Finland with a 2-2 draw in an entertaining and enterprising match. Finland started the match the brighter of the two - Scheweleff stroked a free kick slightly off target. As was to be expected, Bulgaria were prepared to sit back, but in a tense fashion. Riihilahti gave them food for thought with a header narrowly wide on the half hour. Seven minutes later the visitors got what they came for - an away goal. Georgi Andonov led the breakaway from a corner, sliding a nice ball through to right back Georgi Peev. His first touch was excellent, it allowed him to beat off Bergholm and crash a shot low past Fredrikson and given Bulgaria a 2-0 aggregate lead which could only be overturned by three unreplied Finnish goals. The Strasbourg man had chosen a fine time to open his international account. Desperate to fight back, Finland started the second half with urgency - Wirtanen drawing a good save from Kamburov. With twenty minutes remaining the game was well and truly up for Antti Muurinen and his squad. In their desperation to score, huge gaps were left for Bulgaria to exploit. Dimirat Berbatov released substitute Anatoli Todorov, who composed himself to double the lead and sink Finland. Or so they thought. In immediate response, Wirtanen drove a fierce shot from long range which was deflected into the path of Matti Lähitie. He dribbled past Dimov and scored to reduce the arrears, but three goals were still needed. It started to look possible, especially when Daniel Sjölund had plenty of time to level the game fifteen minutes from time. Bulgaria's nerves had gotten the better of them. Two headers from debutant sub Mika Lappalainen went agonisingly close to going in, but in the end Bulgaria held out to secure their spot alongside the big names next summer.
Favourites Sweden let nobody down as they triumphed 2-1 in Stockholm to take a 3-1 overall aggregate scoreline and seal the sixteenth and final spot in next summers Euro Championships. An early start by the home side saw them take hold of the game as quick as possible and destroyed any Belgian enthusiasm. Slightly before the quarter hour mark, Bojan Djordjic struck a half-volley on his weaker foot, but it hammered past Vercarre to give Sweden a necessary lead. A mere twenty minutes had passed, and Sweden were 2-0 ahead. Kallström and Farnerud linked well to release Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and he made his mark upon the game as many had expected the Roma man to. Farnerud himself had a headed chance to make it three, but the Arsenal man was off target. Belgian midfielder Koen Daerden almost found a goal back on half time, but veteran stopper Rami Shaaban did well to pull off a strong right handed save. Sweden, by taking such a strong hold of the game early, had neutralised Belgian advances and placed the thought of failing to qualify utmost in their mind. As a result of winning the psychological battle, the actual game was sewn up. The second half saw more dominance from the side in yellow, but neither Farnerud nor Kallström took chances which came their way. With nine minutes remaining Dries Bernaert rifled a goal back for Belgium, but it was too little, too late. Frode Sirevåg Lindboe called a halt to proceedings after 94 minutes, and once more Belgium had experienced playoff heartache. Sweden, on the other side of the coin, can start preparing for the short trip to Norway, where they will look to make another strong impression in a major Finals.
Ruud Gullit is now officially unemployed. The Dutch Football Association, after three weeks of deliberating on the future of the former Chelsea and Newcastle man, have decided to terminate the contract of the 49 year old with immediate effect. Just under a year and a half since winning the most coveted sports trophy in the World Cup, Gullit finds himself without a job after guiding the Netherlands to a dismal Euro 2012 Qualification campaign. Just three wins (two of which were against Albania) and twelve points from a possible 24 is below the expectations of a World Champion squad with the talent to do far better. A statement from the Dutch FA read: "The decision has been taken to hereby call the contract of Mr Ruud Gullit null and void from this moment. Mr Gullit has failed to live up to the expectations of the Dutch Football Association and everyone involved in Dutch football, and we feel it is time for a change."
Gullit took over the national job in 2008 after Wim Jansen had been dismissed. A directive was given for him to win the World Cup. With talent the likes of Rafael van der Vaart, David Mendes da Silva, and Ruud van Nistelrooy he achieved it with something to spare. Incomprehensibly, the same set of players failed to finish ahead of Ireland and Finland and in the process were eliminated in the qualification stages. A humiliaition too far, Gullit was dismissed this morning. Early reports suggest former River and Oviedo manager Manuel Pellegrini may be interested in the post, as is Man Utd manager Frank Rijkaard, although to speculate at an early stage would be inaccurate.
In other news, Wales have parted company with Mark Hughes after the legendary former international striker mutually agreed a contract termination. After eleven inconsistent years culminated in other failed qualifying campaign, the 48 year old coach has decided to let someone else have a chance. Furthermore, Spain and Serbia & Montenegro are expected to make announcements on the futures of respective coaches Miguel Ángel Lotina and Cartsen Unger in the next 48 hours.
19th November 2011
Serbia & Montenegro sack Unger
In brief news, German coach Carsten Unger has been relieved of his position as manager of the Serbia & Montenegron national side. The 47 year old former Nigerian leader bit the dust after a terrible qualifying campaign for Euro 2012.
Elsewhere, Manuel Pellegrini appears to have ruled himself out of the race for the Holland manager's position by today signing a three year contract with Spanish strugglers Alavés. The 58 year-old Chilean, formerly of River and Oviedo, has some work to do in Vitoria, but is confident of turning the tiny unfashionable Basques around.
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