A lacklustre encounter between Sweden, Turkey

EINDHOVEN, JUNE 16. Sweden and Turkey played out a dismal goalless draw in Group `B' of the Euro 2000 tournament on Thursday, a result that left the fans frustrated, but the teams still with a theoretical chance of advancing.

Poor passing, little flair and over-nervousness typified the play of both teams, each of which desperately needed a win after losing by the same 2-1 score to Belgium and Italy in the group openers.

Turkey, which has yet to win a match in any European championship final stage, now faces Belgium in Brussels while Sweden takes on Italy in Eindhoven in Monday's final group matches.

Thursday's result means Italy, which beat Belgium in Brussels on Wednesday, has now qualified for the quarterfinals.

Swedish co-trainer Lars Lagerbaeck called the result ``fair,'' but added: ``we had the best chance, and all in all it was a balanced game. We'll be doing all we can against Italy.''

Turkish coach Mustafa Denizli also put on a brave face, calling it ``a difficult match played at a fast pace.'' He added: ``my players gave everything. We've still got a small chance of advancing, and will be doing all we can to win the third match.''

Each side will have to do far more, though, on the evidence of what was the worst match so far of the tournament, and the only goalless one to date.

Neither side had any full-blooded chance at goal as both failed to put together any constructive moves and passes went astray.

However, it began well enough as, in the third minute, a Kennet Andersson 22-metre free kick from the right produced a good save from Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Revcber.

But the 30,000 Philips Stadium crowd in Eindhoven had to wait half an hour for further real excitement when the Fenerbahce keeper was again in action as he got a saving foot to a shot from close in on the left by Henrik Larsson.

Fredrik Ljungberg was again thwarted by the Turkish keeper in the 41st minute during a run at goal, but that was it for the first half as far as anything like realistic chances were concerned.

Turkish coach Mustafa Denizli had revamped his midfield following the opening match loss to Italy, and initially left out Galatasaray playmaker Sergen Yalcin, bringing in English-based midfielder Mustafa Izzet for his first cap.

The Turks were gritty in defence but wooden in attack, failing to supply their star striker Hakan Sukur, who was kept in constant check by Olof Mellberg and Gary Sundgren.

The increasingly impatient crowd, dominated by Turks living in the Netherlands and Germany, had to wait a full 25 minutes into the second half before there was any further highlight.

Sergen, by now back on, made a determined run through the middle, but his shot was parried by Swedish keeper Magnus Hedman, and Okan Buruk was there only to see his shot fly over the bar.

The Turks grew a little livelier towards the end, and Hakan Unsul was unlucky to see good work down the left and a resulting cross fail to reach the foot of oncharging Hakan Sukur.

- DPA

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : When the 'king' was knighted
Next     : Teams with mutual respect meet each other