Sweden vs. Denmark: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream & TV Info
A Nordic rivalry match will grace the European Under-21 Championship at the semi-final stage, as Group A winners Denmark meet Group B runners-up Sweden in Prague on Saturday.
The Danes won two games and flashed real potential in the initial stages, whereas the Swedes succeeded on raw grit, determination and stubbornness, scraping through due to a superior head-to-head record with Italy, who finished level on points with them.
The Details
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Venue: Letna Stadium, Prague
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2015
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST
TV and live stream: BT Sport 1 & HD (UK) / UEFA.tv live stream
Denmark Preview
It's rather likely Jess Thorup will roll out the same XI for the semi-final as he did in the final group game against Serbia. Many of the players played well, the midfield looked settled and the pieces started falling into place up front.
Viktor Fischer netted his first of the tournament against Serbia and generally impressed in the central striker's role, breathing fresh life into the dying embers of Denmark's attack. If he can link the play and rotate effectively with Yussuf Poulsen and Rasmus Falk, they're halfway to victory.
Jens Jonsson has brought a little solidity to holding midfield and shout beat out Lasse Vigen Christensen for the spot, while fans will hope Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg continues his steady upward trajectory in performances in the Czech Republic.
Riza Durmisi, brought in at left-back for the suspended Jonas Knudsen, excelled against Serbia and should retain his place.
Sweden Preview
There are three or four positions up in the air as Sweden prepare for the semi-final, with central defence and possibly both wings far from settled. Hakan Ericson has had to deal with injuries and sending offs in every game, shuffling his squad each round and succeeding despite setbacks.
Filip Helander was dropped for the Portugal draw as Alexander Milosevic, red-carded in game one for a rash tackle on Andrea Belotti through on goal, re-entered the XI. Joseph Baffo started alongside him buy withdrew due to a shoulder concern and is a worry ahead of Saturday.
Branimir Hrgota started the Portugal game too, collecting his first minutes of the tournament, but was ineffectual and was replaced by eventual goalscorer Simon Tibbling. Odds are the latter starts the semi-final.
The front pair, middle two, full-backs and goalkeeper are all set.
Where the Game Will Be Won
Denmark possession vs. Sweden's two banks of four: The template for this match is set in stone even ahead of kick-off. Ericson's men have spent the first 20 minutes of each of their three games defending religiously, ensuring they don't go behind early, then they grow into the contest a little.
The two Oscars in midfield work extremely hard to close the space between themselves and the defence, and even managed to stymie Portugal four vs. two at times. Denmark will have to earn their progress up the pitch.
Sweden prefer a more direct game, and coming up against Isaac Kiese Thelin and John Guidetti—two premier channel-runners and movement-based strikers—is going to be some test of Jannik Vestergaard and Andreas Christensen's credentials.
Ericson will be looking at the goal Kevin Volland scored against Denmark during their group game and instructing his players to prey on the same weak point in the side: Early balls for early runners can isolate Vestergaard upfield, resulting in a route to goal.
Prediction
It'll be hard-fought and tense; the two styles will clash in the middle, and the Nordic element to the match gives it a wonderfully enticing overtone that transcends the football played on the pitch.
Expect Denmark to make the breakthrough in the second half, and Sweden to lack response.
Denmark 1-0 Sweden
