EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS: Sweden 3 England 3: STUART PEARCE ended England's semi-final spot-kick hoodoo but his under-21s had to survive a thrilling comeback from European Championship hosts Sweden.
Pearce lost at the last-four stage twice as a player and as a coach two years ago – but it looked like his side would cruise to victory in Gothenburg after leading at half-time through Martin Cranie, Nedum Onuoha and Mattias Bjarsmyr’s own goal. The Swedes staged a revival at Gamla Ullevi and levelled through two goals from Marcus Berg and another from Ola Toivonen.
Fraizer Campbell was sent off in extra-time before the penalties. Joe Hart was booked to rule him out of the final but also scored one and saved one, sending England through. Pearce will appeal against Hart’s booking. They will also be without Campbell and Gabriel Agbonlahor for the final.
From Milner’s corner the ball found its way to Cranie, who took a touch with his chest before volleying home after just 53 seconds.
Sweden’s first sight of goal came from Toivonen, whose free-kick from 25 yards was parried by Hart. Agbonlahor was one of three England players carrying yellow cards into the match and he received his second of the competition when he led with his arm while challenging with Bjarsmyr.
It was while Bjarsmyr was being treated off the field that England grabbed the second. It was a Milner corner again, with Onuoha this time allowed to take a touch close to the six-yard area, turn Rasmus Bengtsson and fire into the bottom corner. It got worse for Bjarsmyr before the break when he tried to clear Lee Cattermole’s header from Walcott’s cross but sliced into his own net.
Berg gave Sweden hope with 22 minutes remaining when he turned in Molins’ cross. Jack Rodwell came on for Noble to shore up the midfield, but Toivonen found the net from a free-kick. Then the equaliser came with nine minutes left. Molins crossed from the right, Rasmus Elm flicked backwards at the far post, with Berg scoring.
Campbell received his second booking of the match during extra-time when he challenged with Mikael Lustig. Berg hit the bar with a header, but the match went to penalties.
Milner slipped when he took the first and the ball flew over, but then Hart saved from Berg, scored one and also got booked but put off Molins, who hit the post – with England winning.
In the night’s other semi-final Germany defeated Italy 1-0, Andreas Beck scoring the winner in the 48th minute.
ENGLAND:Hart, Cranie, Richards, Onuoha, Gibbs, Cattermole, Muamba, Noble, Milner, Agbonlahor, Walcott. Subs: Lewis, Taylor, Stearman, Gardner, Johnson, Rodwell, Tomkins, Mancienne, Driver, Campbell, Rose, Loach.
SWEDEN: Dahlin, Lustig, Bjarsmyr, Rasmus Bengtsson, Johansson, Elm, Landgren, Svensson, Olsson, Berg, Toivonen. Subs: Hansson, Karlsson, Avdic, Soder, Molins, Harbuzi, Pierre Bengtsson, Ozkan, Ekstrand, Nordfeldt.
Referee:Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)
