Swedish dreams come true
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Article summary
The Scandinavian press were in fine voice this morning as the Danes and Swedes reflected on positive opening performances.
Article body
The Scandinavian press were in fine voice this morning as the Danes and Swedes reflected on positive opening performances at UEFA EURO 2004™. The Italian media were not so complimentary, while a 5-0 defeat guaranteed an air of gloom in Bulgaria. euro2004.com reviews the reaction to Group C's opening encounters.
Denmark 0-0 Italy
Experts and pundits from around Europe have labelled the Danish style of play as the most 'modern' on this continent. Both the wide men and the full-backs looked good against Italy and Martin Laursen was a giant in the centre of defence. The tenacious Thomas Gravesen will be back from suspension to make the team even stronger for the game against Bulgaria on Friday. (Politiken)
The draw with Denmark in itself is not damaging. Not even after Sweden's 5-0 rout of Bulgaria. Italy can still get the points, not just to qualify but to win the group. No alarm there - at least not in the result. But what is alarming was the performance, which yesterday afternoon in Guimarães was lacking. Italy's play was enough to give you grey hairs, especially in the first half. And it is impossible to pick out one player or position or even area of the pitch responsible for this debacle, because as Trapattoni himself said nine, ten, eleven of his team simply did not play in the first half. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Sweden 5-0 Bulgaria
What can one say when on one Portuguese night everything we had ever dreamed of, everything we had ever wished from the Swedish national team came true. Henke said we had done well but those of you who saw the game, and you all did, know this says everything about Henrik Larsson and nothing about the yellow-and-blue explosion that took place in the José Alvalade on 14 June 2004. (Aftonbladet)
We started UEFA EURO 2004™ in the same way we finished the 1994 World Cup. Bulgaria made a catastrophic start to the tournament by losing 5-0 to Sweden. The game was decided in the first hour when the symbolic home team scored three goals. Our chances of reaching the quarter-finals have been significantly reduced. (Meridian Match)
