The Republic of Ireland face a critical test in their bid to qualify for World Cup 2014 as they line up against Sweden, currently a place and point above them in second place. With Germany set to storm away with the group, the onus is on Giovanni Trapattoni’s men to avoid defeat in the first competitive match to be played in the national stadium in Stockholm if they are to retain serious hopes of qualification. The veteran Italian ...More

The fourth goal scored by Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic as he inspired his country to a 4-2 victory over England has been hailed by onlookers from the victorious hosts, the defeated visitors and the football world at large, the BBC has reported. Already with a hat-trick to his name, Ibrahimovic capitalised on a tame Joe Hart clearance, lobbing the Manchester City goalkeeper with an overhead kick from around 30 yards, the ball dro...More

Roy Hodgson is set to hand full England debuts to three players as he prepares to face Sweden in an international friendly in Stockholm. After seeing five of his original squad, including Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott, withdraw due to injuries picked up with their clubs, Hodgson is set to start Raheem Sterling, Steven Caulker and Leon Osman of Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton respectively for the clash at the Friends Arena. Elsewher...More

Sweden’s ignominious Euro 2012 comes to an end on Tuesday as Erik Hamren’s side face France in search of their first points of the tournament. After dispiriting defeats to Ukraine and England, a point against Les Bleus would be a marked improvement.  The Scandinavians can still have a decisive say in the outcome of group D by preventing France from taking any points - a defeat for Laurent Blanc’s side and a victory for Ukraine would ...More

England came from a goal behind to win a thrilling encounter and ensure Sweden’s group-stage exit from Euro 2012. In their changed navy blue strip, Roy Hodgson’s men took the lead mid-way through the opening period when Andy Carroll rose tallest to power in an expertly-delivered cross from his Liverpool teammate, Steven Gerrard. Sweden, who had to take at least a point to prolong their Poland-Ukraine summer, drew level in rather f...More

It’s always good to have a Plan B. We all knew what Plan A was: exploit an inability to defend the high ball, stick the big man up front and swing in the crosses. Unfortunately, in the battle between Roy Hodgson’s England and the nation he has done so much to influence it was the Swedes who implemented that plan better. Andy Carroll’s header opened the scoring in the first half, but two from Olaf Mellberg early in the second half ha...More