The essential
- In a Group E including Spain, Poland and Sweden, Slovakia could be the first team to qualify for the knockout stages of Euro 2021, to everyone’s surprise.
- After defeating Poland (2-1) in their first match, Slovakia takes on Sweden, which held Spain in check (0-0) on Matchday 1.
- The Swedes, who have not crossed the group stage of a Euro for 17 years, can count on an iron defense: they conceded only one goal in 2021 (5 wins, 1 draw).
The game
23 ′ (0-0). We could feel him coming, he’s finally here: Olsson receives the first yellow card of the game, consequence of his three big faults (2nd and 10th minutes for the first two).
22′ (0-0). Isak’s offensive foul on Koscelnik trying to take advantage of a scramble in the Slovak area. Not really a big opportunity to eat for 10 minutes.
21′ (0-0). On the smallest ball to be exploited, Sweden is projected in numbers. Isak, Larsson and Berg try to combine, but it lacks precision in the last few meters.
18′ (0-0). After four minutes of Swedish possession, Slovakia regains control.
15′ (0-0). Berg tries sideways calls in order to confuse and stretch the Slovak block. It works, but it also lacks accuracy in the realization once the ball is touched.
13 ′ (0-0). FUNNY? Well found on the free kick, the Swedish defender places a narrow pass over Dubravka’s cage.
12′ (0-0). Interesting free kick for Sweden, close to the right corner post, after a foul on Berg.
10′ (0-0). Last warning at no cost to Olsson, guilty of a second big foul on Mak.
8′ (0-0). This beginning of meeting looks like what one would expect. Slovakia is playful, more in control of the ball, while Sweden is defending hard and waiting for a loophole.
5′ (0-0). Attention Lindelof! The Swedish defender misses his clearance on a Slovak center. Fortunately for him, it goes for a corner and not in the feet of an opponent. The corner kick leads to a head off target.
3 ′ (0-0). The first strike is Swedish! Larsson shoots from the left at 20 yards, it’s deflected, but Dubravka is focused and relaxes well to catch the ball.
2′ (0-0). From the outset, the contacts were very hard. The Swedes make two big mistakes, signed Berg and Olsson, to mark their territory.
1 ′. LET’S GO ! Marek Hamsik kicks off for Slovakia.
2:55 p.m. The teams of Sweden and Slovakia enter the lawn of the Gazprom Arena, preceded by the German referee of this game, Daniel Siebert.
14h50. The playing conditions are good, albeit hot. The sun is shining, and it is currently 28 degrees in St. Petersburg.
14h45. Note that 35,000 spectators are expected this afternoon in the Gazprom Arena. St. Petersburg has a 50% gauge.
14h40. For its last participation in the Euro, in 2016, Slovakia finished best third in its group, before being eliminated by Germany (3-0). Sweden, on the other hand, has been waiting to pass the hens to the Euro for 17 years …
14h35. Same record for Sweden (5 wins, 1 draw against Spain), which conceded only one goal in 2021. It was against Armenia, and Andersson’s men had won 3-1. A real iron defense.
2:30 p.m. The surprise team. With an unexpected victory against Poland (2-1), Slovakia is claiming a qualification after only 2 matches, in a group comprising Spain, Sweden and Poland. Not so surprising in view of the last performances of this nation: 4 wins and 2 draws in the last 6 matches.
14h25. Coach Stefan Tarkovic chose a 4-2-3-1 with Marek Hamsik in the number 10 position. The team star had shone for his entry into the tournament. The composition of the word: Dubravka – Pekarik, Satka, Skriniar, Hubocan – Kucka, Hrosovsky – Koscelnik, Hamsik, Mak – Duda.
14h20. Sweden renews exactly the same 4-4-2 as against Spain (0-0). Unsurprisingly, Janne Andersson lines up her 11 type. La composition suédoise: Olsen – Lustig, Lindelof, Danielson, Augustinsson – Larsson, Olsson, Ekdal, Forsberg – Berg, Isak.
14h15. Hello everyone and welcome to our site to follow the match between Sweden and Slovakia live, counting for the second day of Group E of Euro 2021. Kick-off scheduled for 3 p.m. at Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg.
