Euro 2012: Group D - winners

Despite the bets point to the passage of France and England, both Sweden that was already rejected for the following phases, such as Ukraine that could still dream about the next phase, had a word to say in the final matches of group D. And indeed so it was: the victory of Sweden in their last match pushed France into 2nd place in the group, now having to face Spain, one of the great favorites on this championship.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the key element that allows Sweden to finish with some brilliance, and turns to change the ratings of this group. France, which was first, eventually give way to England, after losing with the last classified of the group that, playing to an audience that mostly supported them, showed that they would not waste good opportunities as they had done previously.
France knew that even losing, would be accurate to the quarter-finals, and if it was just a goal, keeping the leadership of the group and face Italy.
In the first part, the most exciting moment was almost at the end when Benzema and Ribery led an attack which was unfortunately diverted the ball into the side of the opposing goal.

Benzema again had an opportunity early in the second part, which was soon joined another shot from Larsson, but that much more dangerous for the French goal. However, in 54 minutes, Lloris could not take anymore and Ibrahimovic on to hit the half-back to the back of the net after a good cross from Larsson, giving thus the first goal for Sweden.
France responded promptly with the replacement of Hatem Ben Arfa by Florent Malouda and a  dangerous shot by Yann M'Vila. Even with other attempts of the French team, was Sweden taht returned to shoot accurate: after Samuel Holmen hit the barring, in the aftermath, Larsson manages to score the second goal of Sweden.
And the most curious was France have lost the first time in 23 games against a team already eliminated by two defeats. Sweden got a smart strategy, attacking and not forgetting the defense.

As for the other game, resided in Ukraine the hopes that one of the organizers to continue in the league, at least beyond the group stage.
Unfortunately, only a win would guarantee the qualification for the quarter-final, which was soon broken three minutes after the break with a goal from Rooney.
After all, there were many attempts by the Ukrainian side to reverse this result: the shot of Marko Devic was caught by the english defense, Scott Parker, and almost on the quarter of hour, Yevhen Konoplyanka back trying to give hope to the team and the supporters of Ukraine, but whose shot was blocked by John Terry.

England also repeatedly insisted in the first part, but no luck. Also close to half an hour Ukraine back to threaten the english goal by the feet of Andriy Yarmolenko: throughout the game we saw an Ukraine very tense and anxious, which put everything in this game.

 However, although the strongest teams from the outset were really, the truth is that both Ukraine and Sweden were teams that managed to create enough danger to favorites: Sweden ended up defeating the great favorite of the group, while Ukraine, even without experience in this kind of championships, managed to dream almost to the end with the qualification.




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