Spain’s fear of Sweden

KATHMANDU: JUNE 14 – Spain, the title contenders for Euro 2020, facing Sweden at midnight today. Sweden is expected to face a tough challenge for Spain, which is the youngest team in the tournament. Both teams will be looking for their first victory in the clash which will start at 1:15 am Nepali time.

When Spain captain Sergio Busquets is not in the team, there will be pressure on the team. Busquets will not be in the team after tested positive for Corona Virus. He is still in isolation. However, Leeds center-back Diego Laurent is expected to return to the side after recovering from a Corona infection. Similarly, young stars Dejan Kulusevski and Mattias Svanberg will also not be in the team as tested for Corona Virus. Therefore, it will not be easy for Spain to play and win with restraint against experienced Sweden.

However, some players from Sweden will not be on the field because of Corona infection. Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski was found to be positive, while defender Matias Svanberg is already in isolation.

Head to head
This will be the fourth major competition between the two teams. Spain has won the last two games. The 2–1 victory at Euro 2008 was followed by a 1–0 victory at the 1978 World Cup. Spain have failed to score in just one of 14 games against Sweden. Sweden beat Spain 3-1 in the first World Cup in 1950.

Facts
Spain have won just one of their last five major tournaments. Spain defeated the Czech Republic in the opening game of the Euro Cup in 2016.

This is Spain’s 11th appearance in the European Championship. Spain has won two of the last three titles. Spain and Germany have won the Euro Championship three times in a row.

Spain have reached the knockout stage five times in the last six Euros. In 2004, Spain was eliminated from the group stage. Spain has scored a total of 37 goals in the Euros. What is interesting is that Spain has made all these goals possible from inside the box.

Sweden have lost six of their last eight European Championship matches. They lost to France in 2012 and lost other games.

Sweden’s best performance at the Euro Championships was in 1992 as host. Sweden had reached the semifinals at that time. Sweden have been knocked out of the group stage in the last three games. The last time Sweden reached the knockout stage was in 2004.