9.00am
LISBON - Striker Henrik Larsson marked his return to the big stage by scoring twice in two minutes as Sweden crushed Bulgaria 5-0 in their opening Euro 2004 soccer match today.
The victory, Sweden's biggest ever in the European championship, gave them early control of group C after Denmark and Italy
drew 0-0 earlier today.
Sweden had not won their first game in eight previous tournaments dating back to the 1958 World Cup, but after an edgy start they took control, Fredrik Ljungberg setting them on their way after 32 minutes before they scored four times in the second half.
The breakthrough came when midfielder Anders Svensson sent a long pass into the path of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who crossed low for Ljungberg to touch in from point-blank range.
Seeking their first win over the Scandinavians since 1967 after a run of seven defeats and two draws, Bulgaria had almost drawn first blood when forward Zoran Jankovich volleyed just wide.
At the other end, Larsson, playing his 75th international after changing his mind about retiring following the 2002 World Cup, went close when he slid on a sharp low cross by Mikael Nilsson.
There was a flying start to the second half as Martin Petrov crossed well for Jankovich to head just wide for Bulgaria while a clever back heel by Ibrahimovic set Ljungberg free, only for goalkeeper Zdravko Zdravkov to block with his legs.
Petrov then flashed a shot wide in the 55th minute but just as Bulgaria were starting to lift their hopes, Larsson left them reeling.
In the 57th minute, fullback Erik Edman swung in a tempting cross from the left and the Celtic striker launched himself full length to head an early contender for goal of the tournament.
Just over a minute later Anders Svensson drove a low cross in from the right and Larsson arrived at the far post to steer it into the roof of the net.
The Swedish fans then roared their team forward to try to match their 4-0 success in the 1994 World Cup third-place playoff, when Larsson also scored, and they got their wish 12 minutes from fulltime when Ljungberg was brought down in the box and Ibrahimovic lashed in the subsequent penalty.
Substitute Marcus Allback added a fifth in injury time.
Sweden now face a stiffer task when they play Italy in Porto on Saturday (NZ time) when Bulgaria must lift themselves for their game against Denmark in Braga.
- REUTERS
Euro 2004 draw
9.00am
LISBON - Striker Henrik Larsson marked his return to the big stage by scoring twice in two minutes as Sweden crushed Bulgaria 5-0 in their opening Euro 2004 soccer match today.
The victory, Sweden's biggest ever in the European championship, gave them early control of group C after Denmark and Italy
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