Republic of Ireland Euro 2016 opponents Sweden and Italy began their build-up to this summer’s tournament with disappointing results on a busy night of international friendlies.

Danskjavlar is an affectionate Swedish expression that can best be translated as ‘Bloody Danes’. It was used quite a lot after last month’s qualifying draw pitted Sweden against Denmark in the Euro 2016 play-off, with the first leg tonight in Stockholm.

Everton 0 Krasnodar 1

The mood in the Sweden camp is serious ahead of tonight’s crucial clash with Kazakhstan, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic adding his voices to those demanding focus on the tie in Astana rather than speculating about likely play-off opponents.

Sweden 2 Faroe Islands 0

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER GROUP C:

Captain Robbie Keane believes the Republic of Ireland can take huge encouragement from their goalless World Cup qualifying draw in Sweden.

Sweden 0 Ireland 0

Swedish coach Erik Hamren has warned that Ireland will set out to be party poopers in Stockholm when the countries meet in a World Cup qualifier on Friday week.

Sweden 4 England 2

France drifted into the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 despite second-half goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sebastian Larsson providing a rousing Group D send-off for already-eliminated Sweden.

Sweden 2 France 0

Every single member of the Swedish team is adept at switching from their native tongue into English at the drop of the hat, but they certainly don’t seem to be speaking the same language as each other at present.

ITALY’s Euro 2012 Group C qualifier against Serbia was abandoned by UEFA last night after just six minutes due to crowd disturbances.

PSV Eindhoven’s troubles show no sign of abating as a Luis Suarez brace earned Ajax a 4-1 win at the Amsterdam ArenA and sent them top of the Eredivisie table.

Wigan have confirmed that Sweden international Andreas Granqvist has joined Dutch club Groningen.

Wigan striker Emile Heskey has been given the all-clear to play in Sunday’s Premier League relegation battle with Bolton at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan defender Andreas Granqvist has joined his former club Helsingborg on loan until the end of the season.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce will give some of his fringe players a chance to impress in tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at Sunderland.

IT has not taken long for Steve Bruce’s honeymoon at Wigan to come to a shuddering halt.

Bolton 4 Wigan 1

Tottenham’s England hopefuls grabbed the goals against Wigan yesterday – but head coach Juande Ramos insists there will be no homegrown favouritism as he looks to climb the table.

The scale of Spurs’ success must be measured against the shortcomings of their opponents, however, as Wigan looked every inch a doomed side with seven straight losses.

Tottenham 4 Wigan 0

Wigan 0 Portsmouth 2

Reading 2 Wigan 1

Newcastle 1 Wigan 0

Wigan 3 Sunderland 0

Wigan boss Chris Hutchings handed home debuts to five players as he went in pursuit of only the second Premier League victory of his managerial career.

Goals from Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe gave Everton an opening day victory.

Michael Brown yesterday became Wigan’s latest close-season signing but manager Chris Hutchings scarcely had time to draw breath before announcing “the search goes on for more new blood”.

Wigan have signed Fulham midfielder Michael Brown on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Chris Hutchings’ busy summer has continued after Carlo Nash completed his £300,000 (€446,500) transfer to Wigan yesterday.

Chris Hutchings’ busy summer has continued after Mike Pollitt agreed a new one-year deal with Wigan.

Wigan have completed the signing of Helsingborg defender Andreas Granqvist, on a two-year contract.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell's relegation fears could increase if a centre-half crisis fails to ease ahead of the weekend.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell’s relegation fears could increase if a centre-half crisis fails to ease ahead of the weekend.

Wigan midfielder Lee McCulloch is available for selection for Sunday’s Barclays Premiership match with Everton at the JJB Stadium despite handing in a transfer request today.

Ryan Taylor is a shock inclusion in Wigan’s squad for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Kanu came up trumps yet again for Portsmouth with a last-gasp header that took his goal-tally for the season into double figures and knocked battling Wigan out of the FA Cup.

Watford new boys Will Hoskins and Lee Williamson insist they can score the goals to rescue the club from the Barclays Premiership abyss.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell has completed his third signing of the transfer window with the capture of defender David Unsworth from Sheffield United.