Well, that was a very enjoyable game. Denmark were disappointing for an hour, 70 minutes, but then Sweden got nervous. Denmark pushed them back, got a cheap goal from a corner, and set things up very nicely for Tuesday. Sweden were much the better side for the majority of the game, and created some clear chances, but you get the feeling that they rather missed their chance to close the game out. Denmark will be confident of overturning that deficit, I think: they’ve got a slightly more refined style, two superior centre-backs, a better goalkeeper, and a playmaker of rare quality in Christian Eriksen. Although they don’t have Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and that could be the difference.
Thanks for reading. Goodbye.
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Full-time: Sweden 2-1 Denmark
That’s it!
90 min + 3: Bendtner looks like he used his arm as he tried to get on to Kjaer’s long pass, but no whistle. Denmark really pressuring, and Sweden are just happy to blam it clear.
90 min + 2: Sweden are back on the edge of their 18-yard box. Anywhere will do. But that’s a fortunate call – Poulsen is blown for a foul on Olsson, and there was hardly anything in it. Sweden can breathe.
90 min + 1: Three minutes of stoppage time. Swedish fans are biting their nails.
90 min: Ooh, that was a good chance again: Jacobsen was in acres of space on the right, and Olsson didn’t get close enough, and Jorgensen attacks the cross – but it’s just over! Very presentable. Jorgensen has done really well since coming in.
89 min: I just think Sweden got nervous: at 2-0, they didn’t know whether to stick or twist, and ended up doing neither, allowing Denmark to get back into it. Denmark are really pressing high. They fancy an equaliser.
88 min: Sweden have gone to pieces, and Johansson completely miskicks in the area, facing his own goal. That could have gone anywhere, but fortunately it bounced to safety. I thought it was in!
87 min: You have to credit Morten Olsen for making that double change, and making it early enough to make a difference. And that’s another good ball in from Durmisi, but Jorgensen just can’t get there.
86 min: Eriksen finds space on the edge of the box, but Olsson is across to clear the danger. It’s all hands to the pump for Sweden.
84 min: That goal has really changed the tie, hasn’t it? Denmark were sub-par for 70 minutes; now they look the more likely to score again.
83 min: Another corner. The Friends Arena is nervous. Isaksson palms it clear after Eriksen took it quickly. Denmark are on top here.
82 min: John Guidetti replaces Ibrahimovic. If Denmark can get another one here, they’ll have got out of jail. They haven’t played well at all, but they’re back in it.
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81 min: You could sense that goal was coming, but what a bad goal to concede from Sweden’s point of view. The corner was swung in, it was flicked on at the near post, and Jorgensen was all alone at the far post to turn it in. Where was the Swedish marking?
GOAL! Sweden 2-1 Denmark (Jorgensen 80)
Denmark are back in it!
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79 min: Denmark are really pressing here, and Poulsen is not far from getting on the end of a good cross from Durmisi. Now it’s a corner. Nervy moments for the hosts.
77 min: Really nice from Forsberg again, but his pass for Larsson as he approached the box was errant. Sweden can kill this game off on the counter-attack, if they so desire.
75 min: Oh, that was a shame: Forsberg did well on the left as Sweden broke, and his ball in found Ibrahimovic by the byline, but he went with his foot rather than his head, karate-style, and couldn’t bring it under control. He’d have been better off trying to nod it back for Berg, imho.
74 min: Durmisi’s cross is too long for everybody, but Denmark can push Sweden in here, since it’s a throw right next to the corner flag.
73 min: Sweden are in control here, but they must be careful not to concede: Denmark would fancy their chances if this match ended 2-1.
72 min: Ooh, that was close! Durmisi looked for Braithwaite, and though everyone missed it, it had Isaksson worried. That’s Braithwaite’s last action, and he’s replaced by Yussuf Poulsen.
70 min: Olsson goes at Jacobsen and wins the corner. It’s a waste, and easily gathered by Schmeichel.
68 min: Change for Sweden: Larsson on for Durmaz. That was a good opportunity for Bendtner, and he met it well, but Granqvist, I think it was, did just enough to put him off.
67 min: Jacobsen’s cross is deflected, and Isaksson couldn’t be certain that it was safe, so palms it behind. Corner. And that’s a free header for Bendtner! But he puts it wide. Another chance for NB!
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66 min: Denmark have woken up, at last, and they’ve pushed Sweden right back. But that’s doughty work from Kallstrom, and Eriksen must make do with a throw.
65 min: Ooh, terrible giveaway by Hojbjerg, but Forsberg’s touch lets him down, and Sweden can’t profit.
63 min: Denmark have shown a bit more purpose since the double substitution. In the first half they seemed reluctant to commit bodies forward, but they’re higher up the pitch now, a bit closer to Bendtner.
62 min: Agger does well to lever Ibrahimovic off it, as the Swede fell to ground. No penalty. Now Denmark respond, and Bendtner is close to getting on the end of a cross from the left; it was just too high for him.
60 min: Durmisi lets it run under his foot by the left touchline, and the Sweden fans guffaw. It’s been that sort of night for Denmark.
59 min: Olsson got clear in box next to the byline, and waited to pull it back to a yellow shirt … but just couldn’t find one. Denmark recover and whack it clear.
57 min: Denmark need to step it up. They’ve been lacklustre. Here’s Ben Lyttleton with a fine stat:
First goal for #Zlatan in his 7th game v Denmark. His other bogey teams? 4 blanks v Latvia & #LFC
— Ben Lyttleton (@benlyt) November 14, 2015
56 min: Goal for Sweden? No – it was offside. Denmark gave it away, and Ibrahimovic was played in, and he slotted beyond Schmeichel, but he’d run too early. Correct decision.
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54 min: Double change for Denmark: Jorgensen on for Kahlenberg, and Hojbjerg replaces the ineffectual Fischer.
53 min: Sweden are in the mood here, and Ibrahimovic’s flick sets Berg clear. The striker finds Durmaz, who cuts inside on to his left, but his shot is over the bar.
50 min: Such an emphatic finish, to Schmeichel’s right. But what a dozy sequence from Denmark. Forsberg was going nowhere, and Kahlenberg didn’t need to make the challenge. It was a soft one, but the ref had no option: it was a clear trip. Denmark need something, and quickly.
GOAL! Sweden 2-0 Denmark (Ibrahimovic pen 50)
He can!
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Forsberg just ran into the area, and Kahlenberg got the wrong side, and tripped him, clumsily. Can Ibrahimovic convert from the spot?
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Penalty to Sweden!
Kahlenberg on Forsberg!
48 min: From the first half, we might reasonably conclude that Denmark have a slightly more refined style, but that Sweden have way more thrust, and look more dangerous in front of goal. And that’s a chance for Ibrahimovic, from Olsson’s cross, but his header is just over.
47 min: Ooh, that’s a nasty challenge from Forsberg on Jacobsen, studs up, right on the top of the ankle. Yellow card, and no argument from the Swede.
We're back
46 min: Sweden kick off. That was Forsberg’s first international goal, by the way, and didn’t he strike it nicely? A perfect arc into the far corner.
@timmyhilleh Where's all the cagey, keep-it-tight play first legs usually produce? Very open stuff, brilliantly refereed.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) November 14, 2015
Yeah, it’s been enjoyable, and Sweden have created three or four very good chances. A big opportunity for Bendtner, though, and he couldn’t take it.
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That was a really crucial save from Schmeichel. Ibrahimovic just hammered it, and although it was on Schmeichel’s side, he did really well to touch it: it was going like a train. Sweden are really on top here, and Denmark need the break.
Half-time: Sweden 1-0 Denmark
That’s the half. This game has got good!
45 min + 2: What a save! Ibrahimovic just slammed it, and Schmeichel just got a fingertip to turn it round the post! A breathless end to the half.
45 min + 1: Ooh, this is a big call: Ibrahimovic surged into the box, and fell over Agger’s leg, right on the edge. Free kick and a yellow card – Agger was late – but should it have been red? Sweden think so, but there were defenders covering. Big chance from the free-kick, though.
45 min: That was a seriously good goal from Sweden: Durmaz provided a brilliant back-flick to send Lustig clear down the right hand side as two Danes stood and watched, and Lustig’s low cross was perfect for Forsberg, who hung back and drilled one, first time, past Schmeichel. Three excellent pieces of play, from Durmaz, Lustig and Forsberg. Super goal.
GOAL! Sweden 1-0 Denmark (Forsberg 45)
And Sweden make Bendtner pay! Brilliant goal!
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44 min: Oh, big chance for Bendtner! Eriksen played a delicious diagonal pass into the box, and Bendtner got in front of Olsson, I think it was – but he squirted it wide of the post! Morten Olsen has his head in his hands.
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43 min: It’s not quite Bayern v Barcelona, but this game has got a certain rugged charm. It’s certainly watchable. Denmark with more of the ball, but Sweden have definitely created the better openings.
42 min: Unlucky from Ibrahimovic after the best move of the game. Lustig, who I like because he’s got skinny legs like me, motors down the right and finds Lewicki, who feeds Ibrahimovic, but the Swedish captain’s hard shot is just wide. Now Ibrahimovic is penalised for a foul on Kvist, and falls to his knees in disbelief as the whistle is blown.
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39 min: Space for Jacobsen on the right, but Kahlenberg’s crossfield pass is overhit, and out of play.
37 min: Eriksen takes … straight into the wall.
36 min: That’s a really clumsy challenge from Granqvist on Bendtner, and this is a good area for Denmark, on the right-hand edge of the penalty box.
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35 min: Don Goodman on commentary thinks Morten Olsen, the Denmark coach, will be reasonably pleased with how things are going. They’ve been fine in possession, but they’ve certainly had an escape or two. Berg should have his name on the scoreboard.
34 min: Denmark have been defending these past 10 minutes or so. Sweden have been full of vim, if a little short on quality.
33 min: Kallstrom’s ball in is cleared by Schmeichel: that’s a good piece of positive keeping.
32 min: Kahlenberg is late on Ibrahimovic, and the Swedish crowd whistles its fury. No yellow, though. Sweden just cranking it up at the moment.
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31 min: Massive chance for Marcus Berg! Brilliant lobbed pass with his left foot from Zlatan, and Berg is clear of the defence in the area … but he drags it wide! That was a better chance than the earlier one, because he had time – but he didn’t get the shot right.
30 min: Ibrahimovic with it … into the wall. Very disappointing.
29 min: Change made before the free kick: Johansson replaces Antonsson. Ibra is over the dead ball, with a glint in his eye.
28 min: Kallstrom shoves it into the feet of Forsberg, who does well to hold off Kjaer and buy the free kick. Dangerous area, this. Antonsson, incidentally, hasn’t been replaced just yet, but he surely will be.
26 min: Antonsson is going to have to come off. I think it was his hip – did he jar it in that sliding challenge? Yeah, he can’t continue.
24 min: It’s been reasonably lively, and the crowd are nice and close to the pitch: the Friends Arena is bouncing. Isaksson flaps at a Braithwaite cross, but Bendtner’s follow-up is weak.
Antonsson is down after stretching to challenge Braithwaite. He looks in a bad way.
23 min: Now Denmark come forward, and Fischer wins a corner. Fischer’s flick on from Durmisi’s corner, but Sweden volley clear.
22 min: Ibrahimovic releases Lewicki, but Kjaer, long blonde hair tied up man-bun style, is quickly across to ease him off it. Ibrahimovic looks to go again, with a one-two in the area, but Denmark just manage to hack it away. Better from the hosts.
20 min: Antonsson is caught by Bendtner, but the ref is happy with a foul. No card. And what a chance for Berg! Great long pass for Lewicki, who got clear on the right past a sleeping Durmisi, and his low cross was turned goalwards by Berg – but Schmeichel saved! Good goalkeeping, but that was a clear opportunity. Berg maybe should have done better.
17 min: Kallstrom finds Ibrahimovic, but he couldn’t quite release Berg. I think Kallstrom could be important for Sweden, not least his delivery from set pieces.
15 min: Andreas Isaksson’s distribution has been, let’s say, uneven, and he hurries a clearance out of play.
13 min: Denmark look rather more composed on the ball than Sweden, who’ve looked to go long for Berg and Ibrahimovic. But now here’s a chance for the hosts to stream forward, and Kallstrom puts it in from the left … headed clear only as far as Durmaz, but his shot is deflected, and bounces through to Schmeichel.
11 min: Not much from Bendtner so far, and Zlatan hasn’t had much of the ball either. But it’s been decent enough.
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9 min: Excellent burst from Martin Olsson down the left, but he was unlucky: it just ran out of play. Now Nicola Rizzoli, the Italian ref, wants a word with Schmeichel, who was arguing about something or other. My word, Schmeichel’s a big guy, isn’t he? I think he could do to lose a kilo or two.
7 min: Taken short! Such a waste. Eriksen has a go from the edge of the box, and it’s over, but this is encouraging from Denmark. I think they’ve got a bit more skill than Sweden, Zlatan’s genius notwithstanding.
6 min: Agger steps confidently out of defence, feeds Durmisi, whose cross is met by Kahlenberg, I think it was, but it’s blocked. Corner, but a good move from the Danes.
4 min: Martin Braithwaite gets totally free down the right side – where was Martin Olsson? – but his cross is easily claimed by Isaksson. Then Ibrahimovic with an ambitious shot at the other end – it’s well wide.
3 min: Strange ball in from Kallstrom, along the floor, and Denmark clear without alarm. But a good positive start from the hosts.
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2 min: It’ll be interesting to see how Ibrahimovic gets on against Agger and Kjaer. Denmark conceded just five goals in qualifying. Durmaz does well down the right and forces a corner.
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And we're off
1 min: Denmark, all in red, get us under way. Sweden in traditional yellow jerseys and blue shorts.
We’re just observing a minute’s silence for the victims of the Paris attacks.
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Kjaer, Jacobsen and Kvist are on yellow cards for Denmark. Sweden, it seems, are clear. (Yes, that Lars Jacobsen, once of Everton, Blackburn and West Ham. Now with Guingamp in France.)
Now it’s time for the anthems. Denmark first, with Der er et Yndigt Land. Now Sweden, with Du Gamla, Du Fria. Nicely done.
Flags are being unfurled at the Friends Arena in Solna. The players are in the tunnel, just waiting for the call to emerge.
Denmark have won the last four straight against Sweden, conceding none. Zlatan has never scored against Denmark. Denmark haven’t scored in four straight away matches. Go figure.
Swedish hopes, as ever, rest on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Their main man won his 10th Guldbollen on Monday, his ninth consecutive victory for best Swedish footballer, and he has eight goals in eight games in this qualifying campaign. The quality around him is moderate: this isn’t a Sweden side to match their 1994, or even 2004, vintage. Marcus Berg has had a pretty good couple of seasons for Panathinaikos, though, and has nine goals in 33 international games. But really, it’s all about Zlatan. Can he deliver?
So Oscar Lewicki starts alongside Kim Källström in the Sweden midfield, and Viktor Fischer will be deployed on the left for Denmark. Can the Danes cause problems for the underwhelming Antonsson and the Granqvist in defence?
Lineups
Sweden: 1-Isaksson (GK) 2-Lustig 3-Antonsson 4-Granqvist 5-M Olsson 6-Forsberg 8-Lewicki 9-Källström 21-Durmaz 10-Ibrahimović (C) 19-Berg.
Denmark: 1-Schmeichel (GK) 3-Kjær 4-Agger (C) 5-Durmisi 6-Jacobsen 7-Kvist 10-Eriksen 15-Kahlenberg 8-Braithwaite 11-Bendtner 21-Fischer.
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It’s perhaps a shame that these two have been drawn against each other – along with Ukraine, they’re probably the best teams in this playoff round. I watched Norway v Hungary on Thursday, and Bosnia-Herzegovina v Ireland on Friday, and they were extremely mediocre, if truth be told. Although Denmark, in particular, only have themselves to blame: how they managed to slip up in a five-team group including a Serbian team with points deducted is a mystery.
Ukraine are nicely positioned for a place in next year’s tournament after winning 2-0 in Lviv against Slovenia. The second leg in Ljubljana is on Tuesday.
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Hello and welcome
Good afternoon, and thanks for having a look at this Euro 2016 first-leg qualifier. This matchup is the best of the playoff quartet, and there’s much to enjoy: two decent teams, two close rivals, and two in-form stars in Christian Eriksen and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. There’s just one place at Euro 2016 up for grabs, and both teams fancy a major tournament appearance after missing out at last year’s World Cup. Plus, it might be Zlatan’s final chance for glory: he’s just turned 34, and might not have the tools nor the desire to compete in Russia in three years.
Both sides had issues in regular qualifying: Denmark were beaten to the second-place Group I punch by Albania after some mildly hapless results, while Sweden couldn’t best a competent Russia or a resurgent Austria. The chance is there, but only one can go through. Kick off’s at 7.45pm BST, 2.45pm ET – join me!
Tim will be here shortly. In the meantime, here are Marcus Christenson and Troll Henriksen on a clash of two egos:
On Saturday night Zlatan will experience that odd sensation of coming up against someone just as confident as himself. Nicklas Bendtner and Denmark stand in Sweden’s way in the Euro 2016 play-offs with the first leg at Friends Arena in Stockholm. It’s Zlatan v Lord Bendtner. Battle of the egos, battle of Scandinavia.
Friends Arena has sold out and the two countries’ media have been ramping up the rhetoric before the game, Denmark’s channel Five producing an advert where a young girl menacingly cuts Pippi Longstocking’s bunches, Ikea furniture is thrown out of a house and Abba records and CDs are burned.
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