Fernando Torres and his team-mates face Sweden in their second Group D fixture on Saturday, kick-off at hours (17:00 hours BST).

Spain and Sweden both produced impressive performances to win their opening games in Euro 2008. Fernando Torres and his team-mates crushed Russia 4-1 in the game held at Innsbruck. The Spain number ‘9’ played a key role in his country’s two opening goals before being substituted in the second half.

Sweden meanwhile defeated defending European champions Greece 2-0 in their Group D clash with goals from Ibrahimovich and Hansson. The Swedes, who opened the scoring with their first shot on target, found the going tough against Otto Rehhagel’s side; a team which had not conceded a goal in the European Championship for more than 420 minutes.

The two sides met during their qualifying group for Euro 2008. Spain slipped to 2-0 defeat away to Sweden, but the return game at the Santiago Bernabeu saw the Spanish national team secure their berth in the summer event with an impressive 3-0 victory. Fernando Torres was left out of the squad for the Sweden clash having just returned from injury the weekend before the European qualifier. Spain went on to finish two points above their Scandinavian opponents at the top of Group F.

Saturday’s game in Innsbruck will be the first meeting between the two teams at a European Championships, although the teams have met 12 times since their first meeting in the 1920 Olympic Games, which the Spaniards won. The overall balance favours Spain, who have gained five wins to Sweden’s three, with a further four games ending in a stalemate.

At the previous European Championships held in Portugal, Sweden went out to Holland on penalties, and although they have qualified for the last five major tournaments, the Swedes have not made it past the quarterfinal stage since finishing third at the 94’ World Cup.

Spain in recent history have also suffered from a quarterfinal jinx and will be hoping to claim a top two finish before a meeting against the first or second-placed team from Group C.

Sweden will no doubt face a tough test against Fernando Torres’ Spain on Saturday, while the other game sees both Greece and Russia search for their first points at the 2008 European Championships. The Liverpool and Spanish number ‘9’ has played down talk of title chances and wants to stay clear of any euphoria. In several interviews leading up to Saturday’s clash, Torres highlighted the danger Sweden pose, highligting the fact that Spain finished on the losing end a Euro ’08 qualifier.

Spain cannot seal a place mathematically in the next round, but a victory for the Spanish national team would virtually seal Luis Aragones’ men a place in the last eight. If results go Fernando Torres’ side’s way on Saturday (a win for Spain combined with a draw for Russia) then the ‘Red Fury’ will book a place in the quarterfinals of Euro ’08.


Photo: J.A. Sirvent