Scandinavian cracker puts paid to conspiracy theory

DENMARK coach Morten Olsen last night insisted claims that his side and Sweden had engineered the 2-2 draw here were "ridiculous".

The result sent both Scandinavian countries into the quarter-finals at Italy's expense, despite the Azzurri coming from behind to force a 2-1 win over Bulgaria.

Olsen has had to field questions about Sweden's attitude to this match for days, and after his team had drawn and finished runners-up to the Swedes, he hit out: "It is ridiculous to ask questions about a 2-2 scoreline.

"Anyone who saw the game knows that there were two teams out there going for the win from the start.

"I am just disappointed that we did not hold on in those final minutes to win the match and the group, but it was not to be.

"But what people saw out on the pitch shows that the 2-2 suggestion is just ridiculous, and I refuse to answer any more questions about it."

Denmark will now play the Czech Republic in the quarter-final in Porto, while Sweden await the conclusion of Group D.

Sweden coach Lars Lagerback said: "We did not know that Italy had scored a winner until after the game.

"If the Italians go through this match on video they will agree that it was a tough fight, Italy have to blame themselves because if they had won their earlier matches they would have gone through.

"Anyone talking about fair play would know that after watching this game, any suggestion of a fix is rubbish. We can go from this match with our heads held high."

This was the scoreline every Italian dreaded but nobody who witnessed this cracker will believe in a conspiracy between the Scandinavian rivals.

Denmark twice took the lead through Jon Dahl Tomasson strikes, and were pulled back, first by a Henrik Larsson penalty and then Mattias Jonson's late, late equaliser.

Sweden were without suspended Everton midfielder Tobias Linderoth, while Denmark were missing the injured Dennis Rommedahl, so Jesper Gronkjaer started his first match.

The Swedes began better in the torrential rain, with Freddie Ljungberg going close with a header, then a swerving, angled 20-yard effort.

Denmark took a stunning 27th-minute lead with Gravesen and Ebbe Sand combining to set up Tomasson, who sent a cracking 25-yarder dipping over Andreas Isaksson's head into the top corner.

Sweden responded with a barrage of set-pieces as they camped in Denmark's box. Two efforts from Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic forced Aston Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen into an outstanding double save as the pressure mounted.

Villa defender Mellberg crashed a header against a post and somehow Denmark survived until the break.

Their lead lasted just a minute of the second half. A fine through-ball saw Larsson racing into the Danish box and Sorensen's dive at his feet sent the former Celtic man crashing.

Referee Markus Merk pointed to the spot and Larsson stepped up to crash home the penalty.

Sweden continued their assault and with Larsson finding space and Ljungberg having an increasing influence, Denmark were pushed back.

But the Danes kept plugging away even when Martin Jorgensen limped off and Rommedahl not considered fit enough to start was thrown into the fray.

Larsson missed a great chance on the hour when Ibrahimovic sent the ball spinning to his strike partner. But despite having time, Larsson struck his effort just wide from 18 yards.

In the 65th minute Denmark sent on Christian Poulsen for Daniel Jensen and 60 seconds later they were back in the lead.

Everton midfielder Thomas Gravesen's fierce drive crashed into a forest of Swedish legs but bounced invitingly into Tomasson's path and he made no mistake from six yards.

It should have been 3-1 soon after when Gravesen's run into the box then set up Sand, eight yards out but Isaksson made a fine save to his right.

With nine minutes left Sweden sent on an extra forward in the shape of Aston Villa striker Marcus Allback for Andersson, with the need to at least level now crucial.

Tomasson's run on 83 minutes set up Sand for a chance he should have buried, but he blazed high over the top, then Chelsea's Birmingham-bound winger Gronkjaer cut in from the left to fire over the bar.

But Sweden pulled level two minutes from time when Jonson fired in after hard work by Allback on the left to spark delight all round in Porto and misery in Guimaraes.

DENMARK: Sorensen, Henriksen, Laursen, Niclas Jensen (Bogelund 45), Helveg, Daniel Jensen (Poulsen 66), Gravesen, Gronkjaer, Tomasson, Jorgensen (Rommedahl 57), Sand.

SWEDEN: Isaksson, Mellberg, Jakobsson, Edman, Nilsson, Ljungberg, Kallstrom (Wilhelmsson 72), Andersson (Allback 81), Jonson, Ibrahimovic, Larsson.

Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).