England v. Sweden U21 Semi Final..

was billed by the Swedish media like a World Cup Final. England soon silenced the 30,000+ crowd in Gothenburg with a goal in.. 56 SECONDS. The Swedes failed to clear James Milner's corner and the ball fell to Martin CRAINIE who slotted home left footed from inside the box. Joe Hart was kept busy and went full length to save a 20 yard free kick. With one wing in darkness and the other in blinding sunlight, both sides played fast flowing football in the 28deg C heat. but Englands passing game was just too much for the Swedes.

England went further ahead on 27 mins. when Onuoha muscled his way into the six yard box and slammed home a low corner from.. Milner ! The Swedes were trying to make a game of it but their Theo look-alike Martin Olsson was well contained by Crainie, while the Man City pair Micah Richards and Onuoha won everything at the back. Worse was to come for the home side when the luckless Bjäsmyr, returning to the field with head bandaged from an earlier duel, turned a Milner centre in to his own net. HT 3-0

Milner had been outstanding in the first half but now playing in the shade 2nd half, Theo Walcott came in for some rough handling as he continually waltzed through the Swedish defence and twice tested the Swedish goalie Dahlin. England appeared to be cruising until Sweden got a goal back through the skilful Marcus Berg on 67 mins. This sparked a Swedish revival and they got a second goal 7 mins. later when Ola Toivonen curled a free kick inside the neat post, this time beating Joe Hart's left hand. The match rose to fever pitch when the unmarked Marcus Berg scored again on 81 mins. to bring the score to 3-3. Tempers flared a little as Frazier Campbell was booked for fouling the Keeper, and Walcott needed prolonged treatment after yet another heavy tackle. FT 3-3 and extra time began.

Extra time continued at full speed with end to end play and desperate clearances in both boxes. England had a further setback on 104 mins. when Frazier Campbell made another pointless, rash tackle and got his red card. With no recognised CF (after subbing) Theo Walcott was forced to play up front as Englands 10 men held out. Score still 3-3.

England were on the rack as the Swedes pressed forward roared on by the huge crowd, Marcus Berg headed against the bar with Hart beaten, but the English defence held firm with the prospect of penalties looming closer. Extra time finished at 3-3.

Penalty kicks will decide this and England coach Stuart Pearce must have nightmare memories of his England miss in 1996.

Drama till the end.....

MOM James Milner slipped (ala Beckham ) as he took his penalty, but Swedish hero Marcus Berg fooled Joe Hart with his kick

which hit the diving keepers feet and went wide. 0-0. Englands penalty takers Hart (himself), Cattermole, Adam Johnson; Theo Walcott all netted .......and the Swedes scored theirs..... until 4-4.

Then it was one kick / miss to win / lose. Arsenal's Kieron Gibbs scored mumber 5 before the unfortunate Molin hit his shot against the post and England had won this drama with 10 men.

England are in the Final and they play the winners of Germany / Italy on Monday Night. WOW ! What a game.

Wow, England won a penalty shoot out!

Sweden deserved to win in fairness, played the better football throughout and if it wasnt for some awful defending they would have won at a canter.. Did think that Dahlin didnt look like saving a penalty in the shootout and maybe if he had waited until the kick had been taken he may have had a chance of going the right way..

Marcus Berg is a legend and deserves to be in the premier league next year...

Thanks for the report.

BTW Pearce scored the penalty in Euro 96 against the Germans, it was in 90 World Cup when he missed.

Thanks for the report.

 

BTW Pearce scored the penalty in Euro 96 against the Germans, it was in 90 World Cup when he missed.

Thanks " doctor "

I'd forgotten but it was the Swedish TV commentator who got it wrong, and I stupidly quoted him.

It looked like a few heart attacks on the English bench at one time ...and the 28 deg C heat didn't help either.