Euro 2012 qualifying preview: Netherlands v Sweden
In recent years, Sweden have struggled to stamp their authority on the international stage. At Euro 2008, the Scandinavian side were eliminated in the group stages, and two years later they failed to even qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
Their failure to reach the world’s most prestigious tournament led to the resignation of Lars Lagerback, who managed the national team from 2000 and famously led them to back-to-back Round of 16 finishes. Following that bitter disappointment, and now under the leadership of Erik Hamrén, the Swedes are back and eager to prove a point.
With two wins from their opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers, it’s been an impressive start for the Euro 2004 quarter-finalists, but they face their toughest task of the qualifying campaign against Netherlands at the Amsterdam Arena on Tuesday night.
The Oranje have bounced back from their World Cup final defeat against Spain with aplomb, winning their opening three Group E qualifiers against San Marino, Finland and Moldova. Despite the questionable calibre of their opponents, Netherlands have crucially got themselves back to winning ways without suffering from a post-South Africa hangover.
A victory for the Swedes would certainly rank as a shock despite their recent rejuvenation. In fact, even a draw would be a surprise. But after their first two results, in which they kept two clean sheets, maybe it’s not beyond the realms of possibility for Sweden to escape Amsterdam with at least a point.
Another of Tuesday night’s intriguing fixtures will take place in Genoa between Italy and Serbia in Group C. The Azzurri were unable to break down a resilient Northern Ireland side last Friday night, while Serbia suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat against Estonia. The Italians will still be favourites to seal all three points despite their poor form in 2010, and a win would keep them at the top of the group. Slovenia are level on points with the Serbians, though, and face in-form Estonia.
Meanwhile, France are in action against European minnows Luxembourg in Group D. Under the management of Laurent Blanc, Les Blues finally appear to be turning their fortunes around after winning their last two Euro 2012 qualifiers. Belarus and Albania are the only teams in the group still undefeated, but they go head-to-head tomorrow evening with a view to keeping the pressure up on France.
In Group A, Belgium got their first win of the campaign against Kazakhstan on Friday and will be looking to make it two wins from two against Austria in Brussels. It’s Germany’s turn to face Kazakhstan on Tuesday night, while Azerbaijan face Turkey.
Elsewhere, Group B’s Russia, who beat Ireland 3-2 last week, are in action against Macedonia in Skopje. The Russians will be hoping for a favour from Ireland, who face group leaders Slovakia. However, Armenia are certainly ones to watch. Currently on four points from their first three matches, they should move to seven points with a routine win over Andorra.
Over in Group H, Portugal have a chance to close the gap on leaders Norway with an away tie against bottom side Iceland. Paulo Bento’s first match in charge of the Euro 2004 finalists ended in a 3-1 victory over Denmark last Friday, and the Danes will be keen to respond with a win against Cyprus in Copenhagen.
Following their victory against Scotland, Czech Republic should record their second win of the qualification campaign against bottom side Liechtenstein in Group I. With Spain all but guaranteed to qualify, every point for the rest of the pack is imperative to clinch that second spot.
Group F is also shaping up nicely at this stage. Croatia are top, but don’t play this week. Georgia could leapfrog them at the top of the group if they beat Latvia in Riga, as could Greece, who play Israel.
And along with Netherlands v Sweden in Group E, Hungary take on Finland in Helsinki, and lowly San Marino face Moldova.
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