Key tie for Sweden, fun game for Italy

EINDHOVEN, (THE NETHERLANDS) JUNE 18. Italy takes on Sweden here on Monday in group B match at Euro 2000 football tournament which is utterly meaningless to the former, but a matter of life and death for the latter.

The contrasts couldn't be sharper with Dino Zoff's men being the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals after beating Turkey and Belgium, and the Swedes arriving with one point, a wing and a prayer. Italy is already certain to finish top of group B, while the Swedes can only finish second on goal average - by securing a big win here at the Philips stadium while Turkey score the narrowest of victories over Belgium.

To the disappointment of the Turkish camp, Zoff is expected to rest several of his key players and give the reserves a chance to show themselves.

The most likely change is that Alessandro del Piero will start for the first time at Euro 2000 - before being replaced by first- choice Francesco Totti midway through second- half, a role reversal of the tournament so far.

Striker Filippo Inzaghi, who missed a string of chances in both matches - but converted the match-winning penalty against Turkey, could well make way for Vincenzo Montella or as Roma teammate Marco Delvecchio.

A re-shuffle is also expected in midfield where Luigi Di Biagio, Italy's best middleman at France 98, was reported fully fit and AC Milan's Massimo Ambrosini is hoping his Euro 2000 will be more than the fag-end of Italy's win over Belgium.

Sweden's desire to win will probably be greater. They have little choice but to attack and hope that Bologna's Kennet Andersson can use five years' experience of the Serie A against the Italians.

- AFP

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Section  : Sport
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