Sport - Football

Stage set for a physical battle in Salzburg

— PHOTO: AP

KEY PLAYER: Sweden is counting on the firepower of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in its opener against Greece.

LUGANO (Switzerland): Greece starts its European Championship title defence against a Swedish team with similar strengths and tactics.

Both teams are tall, strong and robust in defence. Both are happy to let the opponents have the ball, while awaiting the right moment for a speedy counterattack. The stage is set for a physical battle in Salzburg on Tuesday, where set pieces could play a deciding role.

“They are really good in the air and in dead-ball situations so that’s a factor that you have to keep in mind when you pick the starting 11,” Swedish coach Lars Lagerback said.

Both teams have trained behind closed doors in the run-up to the Group ‘D’ encounter, careful not to release too many hints about line-ups or tactics.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel is likely to see Sweden as the weakest opponent in the group, with Spain considered favourite to advance. Russia was the only team to beat Greece at Euro 2004.

His main worry is the fitness of playmaker Giorgos Karagounis, who is recovering from a right knee injury and only returned to regular training on Friday. Greece has no other serious injury problems. Four players were sidelined for one or two days as a precaution.

“Right now, there’s no Russia or Spain or anything else. There’s just the first game against Sweden,” Karagounis said.

The Greeks are eager to show their stunning performance four years ago was not a fluke, while the Swedes are counting on the firepower of strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and veteran Henrik Larsson to ruffle the title holder.

The Swedes say they have respect for the Greeks as defending champions and for their German coach’s tactical skills.

Swedish fullback Mikael Nilsson, who plays for Greek club Panathinaikos, said the Greeks are well organised but suggested their discipline can falter.

“If you look at how we play in Panathinaikos my guess is that they are the same, with the same mentality,” Nilsson said. “It can be a bit nonchalant at times and I’m sure it can be the same in the national team.

“It’s probably hard to wipe that out even if you have a German coach. Those are things that we may be able to exploit.”

Although the Swedes have developed their offence in recent years, they often fall back on their fundamentals in big games: physical strength, a tight defence and team spirit.

“Both teams will try to stay compact and be a bit careful,” Ibrahimovic said. “Then we’ll see who scores the first goal. That’s what’s going to decide everything. That’s when the game will open up.” — AP

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