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Euro 2004
Portugal

euro 2004

Friday June 18th

Denmark Send Bulgaria Packing

A goal at the end of each half gave Denmark victory in an ill-tempered match that saw 9 yellow cards and a dismissal. The first half was played mostly in the Bulgarian half, but Denmark were not effective in attack. Zdravkov had to save a shot from Jörgensen in the 5th minute, but Sand only managed a weak shot from the rebound, which was easily cleared off in line. After having made another save in the 28th minute, the Bulgarian keeper was finally beaten 9 minutes later, but Tomasson couldn't steer the ball in. Ristov's diving header after Sörensen had misjudged the flight of a cross in the 41st minute was off target, and shortly after that Petrov miscued in the area. Two minutes later Sand headed the ball straight at the keeper. In the last minute of the first half, Gravesen found Jörgensen who presented Tomasson with a chance he couldn't miss. In the second both teams had an attempt on goal, which went wide. In a rare attack Bulgaria burst forward in the 82nd minute, but were foiled by the Danish defence. The Bulgarian who were unhappy with the challenge, and Petrov who had already been booked, was given his marching orders for protesting to the referee. In time-added-on Grönkjaer played a neat one-two with Tomasson and slotted the ball home to bury Bulgaria. Sand hit the bar from outside the area with the last kick of the match.

Zlatan Flicks Sweden Level

Italy put their recent problems behind them and drew 1-1 with inform Sweden. The Italians started positively and Swedish goalkeeper Isaksson had to get in Vieri's way as early as the 3rd minute. He was called into action 5 minutes later to save a shot from outside the area. At the other end Ljungberg back-healed the ball to Ibrahimovic in the 12th minute who couldn't keep his shot down. Ljungberg's skilful run into the area in the 26th minute was brought to an end by the Italian defenders and keeper. A minute later del Piero who had seen his shot go wide in the 19th minute, brought out a superb save from Isaksson whose job was made harder by a deflection. Cassano beat Isaksson in the 37th minute with a glancing header to put Italy deservedly ahead. Vieri's volley early in the second half went wide, and del Piero's clever lob over the keeper was cleared off the line for a corner kick in the 57th match minute. Källström's distant shot 2 minutes later didn't trouble Buffon, but he had to be at his best to keep out a fierce shot by Ibrahimovic in the 77th minute. Sweden's pressure paid off in the 84th minute, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic managed to back-flick the ball into the top corner of the goal. Italy tried to regain their lead, but to no avail.

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