Quick goals give Greece victory

Two goals in three minutes midway through the second half earned Greece a 2-1 victory away to Sweden in Norrkoping.

Early advantage
Anders Svensson had given the home side an early lead, the Southampton FC midfield player finding the net with a 20-metre shot from Marcus Allbäck's pass in the 16th minute. However, Sweden's hopes suffered a significant setback on the stroke of half-time, as Everton FC's midfield player Tobias Linderoth was shown a second yellow card and left his side to play the second 45 minutes with ten men.

Quick turnaround
Buoyed by their numerical advantage, the away team gradually came more into the game, and drew level three minutes past the hour as Stylianos Giannakopoulos was left unmarked to equalise. Two minutes later, the turnaround was complete, as Giannakopoulos's fellow midfield player Pantelis Kafes beat Sweden's substitute goalkeeper Magnus Hedman for what proved to be the winning goal.

Group leaders
Greece currently sit top of UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying Group 6 on 12 points, one above Spain having played the same number of games. Otto Rehhagel's side next travel to Armenia on 6 September before ending on 11 October with a game against Northern Ireland in Athens.

Pole position
Sweden also currently lead their section, with Lars Lagerbäck's side ahead of Hungary by virtue of a superior head-to-head record at the top of Group 4. However, Sweden have a game in hand, and are next at home to San Marino on 6 September before facing a trip to Poland four days later and taking on Latvia in Solna on the final day of qualification.