Ship & Anchor Euro Cup 2016 Italy


EURO CUP 2016
ITALY	vs	SWEDEN
FIFA RANKING 12		FIFA RANKING 35


TEAM PROFILES
ITALY Italy's sole UEFA European Championship success came in Rome in 1968 when, under coach Ferruccio Valcareggi and with Dino Zoff in goal, Yugoslavia were beaten 2-0 in a final replay two days after a 1-1 draw. The Azzurri came close to adding a second European title in 2000, Sylvain Wiltord's last-gasp equaliser for France denying them before David Trezeguet ended their dreams with an extra-time golden goal. There was more heartbreak in 2012, but a 4-0 loss to Spain was hardly close – indeed, that marks the most one-sided EURO final to date. Semi-finalists in 1980 and 1988, Italy have reached every tournament since 1992, when they were edged out by the Commonwealth of Independent States in qualifying. SWEDEN Sweden reached the semi-finals on home turf in 1992, beating eventual champions Denmark and England after an opening-day draw with France. However, with Stefan Schwarz suspended and Jonas Thern playing through injury, they were overwhelmed by Germany even if a last-minute effort made it 3-2. It was not until 2000 that they successfully negotiated qualifying to reach the final tournament, yet the Blågult have been ever-presents since. Sweden exited UEFA EURO 2004 unbeaten, losing 5-4 on penalties to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals after a goalless draw, while their last two campaigns ended at the first hurdle, a win and two defeats not enough each time. In 2012 they lost to Ukraine and England despite having led both matches in the second half, and were already out before their last game when Ibrahimović's brilliant acrobatic goal set up a 2-0 win against France.

BEST RESULT
ITALY		SWEDEN
winners 1968		semi-finals 1992

KEY PLAYERS
ITALY Andrea Pirlo’s decision to move to the MLS did not necessarily rule him out of going to his fourth successive Euros but Conte said if he did not return to Serie A on loan in January it would be difficult to pick him even though Claudio Marchisio's injury has provoked a campaign to recall the New York City veteran. That uncertainty over his availability leaves captain Gigi Buffon as Italy’s most valuable player.The great goalkeeper will be 38 next summer, says he plans to emulate Dino Zoff and play in a World Cup at the age of 40 and, fitness permitting, probably will because his authority is undiminished. Domenico Berardi, the lively, left-footed Sassuolo forward who scored four goals in a victory over Milan at the age of 19, has scored 33 times in Serie A since promotion to the top-flight in 2014. Plays on the right and cuts in or starts through the middle so if Conte heeds his critics and opts for 4-3-3, the quick, strong, aggressive Italy U21 striker and full squad member would be perfect.
SWEDEN He, Zlatan. Although he's now 34, he remains as vital as ever for country if not club. During the 2006 World Cup, Martin O'Neill, delivered a scathing assessment of him - "possibly the most overrated player in the world". But for the past 10 years he has continued to prove O'Neill wrong, making that other famous quote about him come to mind. "He invents moves that don't exist in the material world," wrote the Swedish novelist Bjorn Ranelid, "and they are done like jazz improvisations on the pitch." Just because he might not be quite as good as he proclaims himself to be - who could be? - does not mean he isn't special. Sixty-two goals in 112 Sweden appearances emphasises just how special he is. Oscar Hiljemark captain Sweden to victory at the 2015 Under-21 European Championship and has been joined by a number of graduates from that campaign in Hamren’s full squad. The 6ft, 23-year-old midfielder moved to Palermo in the summer after two years at PSV and plays in a central role, passes well with both feet and demonstrated his finishing prowess with two goals against Milan. Won the Swedish title with Elfsborg in 2012 playing in the heart of midfield with Anders Svensson and it is little wonder that his style most resembles that of his mentor.

		BACK TO MATCH CALENDAR >