Sweden progress in style

Two for Rosenberg
Trailing to Tranquillo Barnetta's goal midway through the first half, Kim Jaggy's own goal brought Sweden level before the interval and two Markus Rosenberg strikes wrapped up a third win for Torbjörn Nilsson's side, who now play Serbia and Montenegro in the last four.

Nine changes
With qualification assured, Nilsson opted to rest virtually an entire first-choice team, with only Tobias Hysén and Patrik Gerrband keeping their places in the starting lineup. In contrast Switzerland coach Bernanard Challandes made only one change as David Degen made way for Tranquillo Barnetta.

Chiumento chance
Needing to win to have any hopes of progressing, Switzerland began positively and might have taken the lead in the 15th minute. Davide Chiumento played a one-two with Johan Vonlanthen on the edge of the Swedish penalty area and raced clear, but his shot was blocked by Jonas Sandqvist.

Barnetta volley
Switzerland did make the breakthrough in the 21st minute. Vonlanthen – who was called up to Jakob Kuhn's senior squad for UEFA EURO 2004™ earlier today - did well down the left, cutting back on to his right foot and delivering a perfect cross for Barnetta to volley beyond Sandqvist.

Swift recovery
Rosenberg almost responded with a skidding shot that Marco Wölfli failed to hold, but the Swiss goalkeeper recovered well with Hysén closing in.

Swiss pressure
That aside, Switzerland looked the more likely scorers, and Chiumento's ball across the face of goal left Sandqvist helpless but Barnetta was just unable to touch into an empty net. Vonlanthen then had to stretch to reach a cross from Fabrizio Zambrella and could only head wide.

Unfortunate equaliser
Four minutes before half-time, Switzerland were pegged back in unfortunate circumstances. Rosenberg burst clear down the left but, with Wölfli closing in, unselfishly opted to square the ball to Hysén whose goalbound shot was blocked by Alain Nef, but the ball hit Jaggy and rebounded into the unguarded net.

Quiet spell
Chiumento's deflected volley span just wide seconds before the break as Switzerland sought to regain the lead but it was level at the interval and, surprisingly, the second period began in quiet fashion.

Sandqvist stop
Switzerland continued to see more of the ball but without really threatening until the hour mark when Volanthen worked space for himself inside the penalty area before striking a low shot from the left, forcing Sandqvist to block with his legs.

Cool finishes
Two minutes later, Swiss hopes were effectively extinguished. Hysén's burst down the Swedish right and set Rosenberg clear with a low, square pass. The striker duly made no mistake, shooting firmly beyond Wölfli to give Sweden the lead. The striker wrapped up the win two minutes from time, scoring his second and Sweden's third after unselfish work from Lars Nilsson and Alexander Farnerud.