QuickNick
06-22-2004, 02:42 PM
shit coming down LOL. I wonder what the draw is paying????
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Denmark vs. Sweden: Set for a fix?
It all makes perfect sense.
Even though neither the Danes nor the Swedes are going to admit it, a high-scoring draw when the top two sides collide today sounds awfully tempting. The two clubs sit tied atop Group C with four points apiece, two better than Italy.
If Denmark and Sweden draw, the Italians would need to beat Bulgaria, then hope to have more goals scored than either Denmark or Sweden to get through. Italy has scored just once so far, while Sweden has six goals and the Danes have two.
The situation has everyone (especially the Italians) wondering whether Sweden and Denmark will look to run up the score in a draw (2-2 or higher), which would send Italy packing.
"That is ridiculous," Denmark coach Morten Olsen said of the speculation. "Who do you think we are? Do you think we are not honest and sporting? I will not speak of it. We will be playing for a result."
But as crazy as the conspiracy theory sounds, just to be sure, the Italian TV station RAI has decided to put two extra cameras behind each of the goals to spot any evidence of possible fixing when Denmark and Sweden battle.
If Denmark continues to defend its goal like they have so far, there'll be no need for the extra cameras behind the Danes' net.
"We have defended very well so far in this tournament and I am pleased and proud to have kept two clean sheets. I want that record to continue," Danish keeper Thomas Sorenson told reporters.
"I still believe we can go through as group winners - we are a small nation but on any day we can give all the big countries a very good match and beat them, and by that I also mean Sweden."
Holding Sweden scoreless will be a tall task. The side has buried six goals already, (best in the tourney) with five of the markers coming against Bulgaria. Freddie Ljungberg, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson have played a big role in turning the Swedes into a potent attacking side.
'This team has a lot of talent," Larsson told reporters. "I've always believed in this team and I still do. I like the way we push forward and don't only defend. I feel I can lead by example."
But Denmark's attack shouldn't be overshadowed by that of the Swedes. The Danes outplayed Bulgaria soundly in a chippy match the last time they were on the pitch and have been able to use some interesting set pieces to create chances throughout the tournament.
"The Danes are very dangerous coming inside with Gronkjaer and Jorgensen," Sweden scout Benny Lennartsson told reporters. "We are wary of their switch play. I can't see any better wing play in the tournament, apart perhaps from Spain."
Sweden is set as a 2-1 favorite with Denmark at 11-5 and the draw at 6-5. The much-hyped 2-2 tie between the sides is currently at 4-1.
---------------------------
Denmark vs. Sweden: Set for a fix?
It all makes perfect sense.
Even though neither the Danes nor the Swedes are going to admit it, a high-scoring draw when the top two sides collide today sounds awfully tempting. The two clubs sit tied atop Group C with four points apiece, two better than Italy.
If Denmark and Sweden draw, the Italians would need to beat Bulgaria, then hope to have more goals scored than either Denmark or Sweden to get through. Italy has scored just once so far, while Sweden has six goals and the Danes have two.
The situation has everyone (especially the Italians) wondering whether Sweden and Denmark will look to run up the score in a draw (2-2 or higher), which would send Italy packing.
"That is ridiculous," Denmark coach Morten Olsen said of the speculation. "Who do you think we are? Do you think we are not honest and sporting? I will not speak of it. We will be playing for a result."
But as crazy as the conspiracy theory sounds, just to be sure, the Italian TV station RAI has decided to put two extra cameras behind each of the goals to spot any evidence of possible fixing when Denmark and Sweden battle.
If Denmark continues to defend its goal like they have so far, there'll be no need for the extra cameras behind the Danes' net.
"We have defended very well so far in this tournament and I am pleased and proud to have kept two clean sheets. I want that record to continue," Danish keeper Thomas Sorenson told reporters.
"I still believe we can go through as group winners - we are a small nation but on any day we can give all the big countries a very good match and beat them, and by that I also mean Sweden."
Holding Sweden scoreless will be a tall task. The side has buried six goals already, (best in the tourney) with five of the markers coming against Bulgaria. Freddie Ljungberg, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson have played a big role in turning the Swedes into a potent attacking side.
'This team has a lot of talent," Larsson told reporters. "I've always believed in this team and I still do. I like the way we push forward and don't only defend. I feel I can lead by example."
But Denmark's attack shouldn't be overshadowed by that of the Swedes. The Danes outplayed Bulgaria soundly in a chippy match the last time they were on the pitch and have been able to use some interesting set pieces to create chances throughout the tournament.
"The Danes are very dangerous coming inside with Gronkjaer and Jorgensen," Sweden scout Benny Lennartsson told reporters. "We are wary of their switch play. I can't see any better wing play in the tournament, apart perhaps from Spain."
Sweden is set as a 2-1 favorite with Denmark at 11-5 and the draw at 6-5. The much-hyped 2-2 tie between the sides is currently at 4-1.