Sweden Top Group F for Euro 2008
European Championships:Three Goal Win after Denmark Game Abandoned
Sweden moved three more points ahead of Spain and Northern Ireland as UEFA awarded a three goal win following the abandonment of their game against Denmark last weekend.
Sweden moved ahead of Northern Ireland to the top of Group F of the European Championship qualifying groups. Their decisive win over Iceland coupled with UEFA’s decision to award them a 3-0 win after their previous game against Denmark was abandoned, has moved Sweden to the top of the group three points ahead of Spain who are two points better off than Northern Ireland who did not play any games this month.
Five Goals against Iceland
Sweden defeated Iceland by five goals in their match in Stockholm and went ahead after ten minutes with a goal from Marcus Allback, the former Aston Villa striker. However, four goals in nine minutes either side of half-time settled the match. Anders Svensson and Olof Mellberg scored two goals in three minutes before the interval and then two further goals in a minute from Markus Rosenberg and Allback completed Iceland’s miserable evening.
Spain Victorious
Spain also moved ahead of Northern Ireland with their two goal win in Liechtenstein. David Villa scored twice in the opening fifteen minutes to secure the three points in their Euro 2008 qualifying game.
UEFA's Decision
The three points awarded to Sweden by UEFA as a result of their deliberations on the abandonment of the game in Copenhagen, now makes them clear leaders of the group.
The previous weekend, Sweden had played neighbours, Denmark. After taking an early three goal lead, Sweden found themselves pulled back by the home team. The visitors were three ahead inside the first twenty six minutes but Denmark scored once before half time and then added two more midway through the second half to make a remarkable comeback. However, in the final minute the referee, Herbert Fandel who had officiated in the Champions League Final between AC Milan and Liverpool, awarded Sweden a penalty and sent off the Danish defender, Christian Poulsen. A spectator ran on to the pitch and tried to attack the referee at which point the officials left the pitch and abandoned the game.
In UEFA’s decision, Sweden have been awarded a 3-0 victory and Denmark have been fined £41,000 and are required to play their next four home games at least 250 km away from Copenhagen. Denmark have the right of appeal.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland are two points behind Spain but have a game in hand. This will be played at Windsor Park, Belfast in August against Liechtenstein and will mark Nigel Worthington’s first game in charge as manager since taking over from Lawrie Sanchez who resigned to take up a full time appointment as manger of Fulham.
