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European Under-21s Championship | Group Stage
Jun 22, 2017 at 7.45pm UK
 

3-0

Chrien (5'), Mihalik (22'), Satka (73')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Live Commentary: Slovakia Under-21s 3-0 Sweden Under-21s - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of Slovakia Under-21s' 3-0 win over Sweden Under-21s, as they picked up the points needed to finish second.
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Slovakia Under-21s beat Sweden Under-21s 3-0 at the Lublin Arena on Thursday evening to remain in with a shot of progressing to the semi-final stage of the European Championships.

Martin Chrien opened the scoring five minutes into the match, before Jaroslav Mihalik deservedly added a second a quarter of the way through.

Defending champions Sweden improved slightly in the second half, creating a couple of half-decent chances, but it was Slovakia who bagged the third goal through Lubomir Satka.

Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the U21 Euro 2017 group-stage clash between Slovakia Under-21s and Sweden Under-21s at the Arena Lublin. It remains all to play for in Group A heading into this final round of fixtures, with all four sides - England and tournament hosts Poland included - still able to make it through to the semi-finals. A night of drama potentially awaits, and we will have it all covered for you right here!

Before checking out the two sides in some more details, it is worth looking at the permutations heading into tonight's matches. England can qualify for the semi-finals by beating Poland in Kielce. A draw would also be enough should this match finish all square, meaning that the group standings remain as they are. Defeat for England, however, coupled with a win for either Slovakia or Sweden, and their tournament will be over.

The other permutation is a draw for Aidy Boothroyd's men and a winner in this clash, which will leave them sweating on results elsewhere - only one second-placed side from the three groups will progress through. Essentially, both Slovakia and Sweden will be focused on picking up all three points tonight, knowing that top spot is there for the taking. For that to happen they will require a big helping hand from bottom side Poland, as England will finish top with three points in Kielce.

Slovakia made it to the finals for the first time since 2000, when they reached the semi-final stage. They toppled the Netherlands in qualifying to finish top of the standings, scoring a hugely impressive 21 goals across their eight qualifiers, while conceding just six overall. A good record, then, but it has been rather mixed since getting here - a good comeback win over Poland in their opener followed up by defeat to England last time out.

Martin Valjent and Pavol Safranko scored the goals to help Slovakia to a 2-1 win over Poland on the opening day of the tournament, but they chucked away a one-goal lead in that last meeting against England. The Young Lions certainly improved after the break in a match that the essentially had to win, getting themselves over the line through goals from Alfie Mawson and Nathan Redmond. That leaves Slovakia second in the table, one point off England and one ahead of Sweden. Poland are bottom, two points further back.

Pavel Hapal's men remain well positioned heading into the third and final round of group-stage fixtures, then, but if they are to qualify automatically then they need three points over the defending champions at the bare minimum. They will certainly be well backed, as witnessed against England a few days back, as we are 200 miles or so from the Slovakian border in Lublin. That said, Sweden have also brought a fair few fans over to Poland!

The Blue-Yellows are the defending champions of this competition, having beat Portugal on penalties two years ago. They also reached the last four in their previous participation six years prior on home spoil, but they failed to qualify for four of the past six prior to this year so their overall record is pretty mixed. Getting here was made to look easy, though, finishing a point above tournament favourites Spain as one of six unbeaten sides in qualifying.

Sweden conceded just seven goals during qualifying, showing that they are very tough to break down, and that was witnessed up close in the opening-game stalemate against England. It set them up nicely for their most recent outing, a tie against hosts Poland, but they squandered a 2-1 lead at the break to draw 2-2 - a 91st-minute penalty proving to undo them a few days ago. Sweden are in an identical position to their opponents, however, as they require victory and hope that the other result goes their way elsewhere tonight.

DID YOU KNOW? These two sides have met on one previous occasion, with Sweden coming out on top 1-0 in a 2014 friendly. Both teams have scored in three of the four matches that these sides have contested at this year's tournament, while at least three goals have been scored in three of those four. The odd goal may prove the difference tonight, but fingers crossed - from a neutral's perspective - that we are treated to some end-to-end entertainment.

TEAM NEWS!

SLOVAKIA U21s XI: Chovan; Satka, Ninaj, Mazáň; Lobotka; Rusnak, Bero, Chrien, Mihalik; Zreľak

SWEDEN U21s XI: Cajtoft; Wahlqvist, Une Larsson, Brorsson, Binaku; Mrabti, Hallberg, Olsson, Fransson; Strandberg, Cibicki


Slovakia change their side for the first time in the tournament, with Lubomir Satka - formerly of Newcastle United - earning a call-up to the side. Sweden have made a couple of changes, meanwhile, following on from the largely disappointing draw against Poland last time out. The anthems are over, with kickoff now just a few moments away.

U21 Euro 2017 logo


KICKOFF! We are up and running in Lublin. Plenty of permutations in this final round, but both Slovakia and Sweden ultimately have to go all out in search of victory. It sets up what should be an entertaining evening of football - should!

Sweden the side seeing more of the ball early on, looking to take control of things. The Blue-Yellows are the reigning champions of the competition, remember, so they will not want to go out without a fight.

The first attempt of the evening comes in from Albert Rusnak, who drives forward and takes range 25 yards out. A big deflection helps the ball behind from a corner, from which they fail to make the most of it.

GOAL! SLOVAKIA U21s 1-0 SWEDEN U21s (MARTIN CHRIEN)

Martin Chrien, on the scoresheet against England last time out, gets his head on the ball at the back post to bag Slovakia an early goal. After winning a succession of corners, the Sweden backline fell asleep and Chrien was there to pounce in plenty of space.

UPDATE! ENGLAND U21s 1-0 POLAND U21s (Demarai Gray, 6)

A lively start to the evening, then, as group leaders England have also edged ahead early on against Poland in Kielce. That leaves the Young Lions in a very strong position at the summit, one point above Slovakia who could well be relying on second spot to take them through.

Slovakia knocking on the door for a second at the moment, as Sweden struggle to get to grips with the game. Anton Cajtoft, who could have done better to prevent the opener, does better on this occasion as he races out and punches the ball clear.

Jaroslav Mihalik wiggles his way into the box but sees his shot blocked aside. Looked to be a little pull on his shirt but he did not appeal, so could not have been much in it. Sweden well and truly on the ropes at the moment.

No real change in the flow of the match, as Slovakia are still the side on top. Sweden just having to sit back a little and hope to see out this spell, but as things stand they look to be heading out of the competition.

England still lead Poland elsewhere in Group A, so the table remains the same - the Young Lions sitting narrowly ahead of Slovakia at the top. The other two sides with plenty to do if they are to avoid exiting the tournament tonight.

Slovakia very dominant in the opening quarter of this match. Pavel Hapal will just be hoping that they can turn possession into some clear-cut chances, as a one-goal lead may not be enough to get them over the line.

GOAL! SLOVAKIA U21s 2-0 SWEDEN U21s (JAROSLAV MIHALIK)

Slovakia get themselves a deserved second goal - they are well up for this one! A quick counter ends with Jaroslav Mihalik firing the ball home after Matus Bero's shot from close range was initially kept out.

We are now nearly a third of the way into the match and defending champions Sweden have offered very little. Slovakia, for their part, have been superb and deservedly sit two goals to the good. Second place looks certain to be theirs in Group A.

Hakan Ericson will be desperate for half time. His side have been poor throughout, in need of a change of formation and some sort of attacking inspiration. Slovakia want more goals to go through as the best second-placed side.

Chrien is now the joint-second top scorer in the competition, incidentally, having also netted against England last time out. Plenty of time for him to bag another at this rate, as Slovakia are dominating proceedings.

SAVE! Sweden showing a little more attacking intent over the past few minutes, and a rare attack forward ends with Adrian Chovan being forced into a decent stop down low. Pawel Cibicki got on the end of a cross but saw his guided finish pushed aside.

Much better from the Blue-Yellows, who are no longer having to constantly soak up pressure. They are pressing for a route back into the match, testing Chovan with a half-decent attempt on target a few moments ago.

A good delivery into the box from the free kick, but Slovakia defender Branislav Ninaj could not quite direct the ball on goal. After being made to defend a little over the past five minutes, Hapal's men are now back on top.

A stoppage in play now as Milan Skriniar receives some treatment for an injury picked up a few moments ago. Half time fast approaching, with second-placed Slovakia well in command of this Group A clash at the Arena Lublin.

CLOSE! Jaroslav Mihalik is having plenty of joy down the left-hand flank, sending in another teasing cross for Matus Bero to get on the end of. Bero was a long way out but his header ended just inches wide of the far post.

So far, so good as far as Pavel Hapal is concerned, then, as his men are doing all that they possibly can. Top spot is still within their grasp, but they require Poland to score against England in Kielce in the other Group A match.

More joy down the flank, this time out on the right, which ends with another corner being won. A third could well be netted by Slovakia prior to the break, and you have to say they would just about deserve it on the basis of what we have seen.

HALF TIME: SLOVAKIA U21s 2-0 SWEDEN U21s

Slovakia rather teasing their opponents with the final attacking move of the first half, ending with Matus Bero prodding a shot on target for Anton Cajtoft to rather comfortably keep out. Not to matter - Pavel Hapal's men are well in command at the break, sitting on a deserved two-goal lead against the defending champions.

Slovakia dominated the first half, taking just six minutes to open the scoring through a Martin Chrien header at the back post following some slack defending. The corner was worked short and the ball made its way to the Viktoria Plzen midfielder, who was left with the simple task of stooping in to bag his second goal of the competition.

Sweden were barely able to make it out of their own half of the field, and they were given an even bigger mountain to climb 22 minutes in after Jaroslav Mihalik blasted past Anton Cajtoft at the end of a swift counter to double his side's advantage. Pawel Cibicki did manage to force a save out of Adrian Chovan soon after from the Blue-Yellows' only attacking move, but Slovakia were soon back on top.

Jaroslav Mihalik in particular was having plenty of joy down the left-hand flank, sending in a teasing cross 40 minutes in for Matus Bero to guide narrowly wide of the far post with his head. Bero came even closer from the final act of the one-sided first half, testing Anton Cajtoft with a punt right down the middle. Plenty for Sweden - defending champions, remember - to do if they are to remain in the competition, with half-time changes to be expected.

RESTART! We are back under way at the Arena Lublin, where there is news of a change to bring you. Niclas Eliasson is on for Pawel Cibicki, as Sweden desperately attempt to drag themselves back into the contest.

A bit more urgency from Sweden, who require a few goals if they are to have any hope of making it through to the last four. Slovakia will likely need another couple of goals too for that best-placed runners-up spot.

Sweden actually made two changes at the break, with Muamer Tankovic also coming on for Melker Hallberg in the other alteration. Not made a great deal of difference thus far - Slovakia still more than comfortable.

A Slovakia shot from just inside the box is easily blocked away. Hapal's men doing well to keep the ball ticking over at the minute, looking the more likely to score the third goal of the evening at the Arena Lublin.

England still a goal to the good against Poland. That is the match that will concern Slovakia fans a little more than this one at the moment, truth be told, as a Poland goal to level things through will take their side through.

CLOSE! Chrien with another tasty cross into the box, which this time is diverted narrowly wide by Bero. Both players are getting themselves into some dangerous positions, but that third goal is eluding them.

YELLOW CARD! The first caution of the evening is shown to Kerim Mrabt who, after being left frustrated by his failure to make the most of a good shooting position, lunges in on his opponent and is penalised.

We have now reached the hour mark in Lublin and the match is still one sided, which has been the case pretty much from the opening minute. Sweden have been a little better in the second half, with a smart flick being well caught by Chovan.

Sweden with their best spell of the game so far, keeping holding of the ball for a good couple of minutes. All they had to show for it was a small penalty shout, which the referee was quick to turn down. Replays show that it would have been harsh to give it for Skriniar's handball.

Slovakia just need to find their groove once again, having dropped down a level or two. They could well have netted a third a little earlier but maybe now the priority is to avoid conceding one at the other end of the field.

A Slovakia shot from the edge of the box ends with the ball looping high into the air but, under some pressure from an opposition player, Cajtoft does well to stand his ground and collect. Around 25 minutes left to play here.

Surprised that Hapal has yet to make a change. Opposite number Ericson has one more available to choose from, having made a double alteration at the break. A more balanced match on our hands over the past five or 10 minutes.

SLOVAKIA SUB! Adam Zrelak has put in a good shift up top, but he is now replaced by Pavol Safranko for the final quarter of the match. Hapal would love a third to give his men hope of going through in second place.

UPDATE! ENGLAND U21s 2-0 POLAND U21s (Jacob Murphy, 69)

England have bagged themselves a second in Kielce through Jacob Murphy, meaning that Slovakia's hopes of finishing top are surely over. Joel Asoro is now on for Olsson as Sweden boss Ericson rolls the dice for a second time.

GOAL! SLOVAKIA U21s 3-0 SWEDEN U21s (LUBOMIR SATKA)

Superb finish from Lubomir Satka at the perfect time! Moments after England all-but sealed top spot in Group A, the former Newcastle man rifled into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to give Slovakia serious hope of going through as the best runners-up.

SAVE! Joel Asoro, brought on five minutes ago, comes close to scoring a consolation goal for his side. A decent attempt but Adrian Chovan got down well to help the ball aside. The Blue-Yellows have finally awoken!

SAVE! Another bid stop from Chovan, this time to keep out Carlos Strandberg who was pretty much clean through on goal. You get the impression that Hapal would probably take full time if offered to him right now.

Strandberg with another decent chance, which he blasts into the side-netting from a slight angle. A poor attempt in the end, but it mattered little as the offside flag was raised on the far side. Now into the final 10 minutes!

UPDATE! ENGLAND U21s 3-0 POLAND U21s (Lewis Baker, 82)

Lewis Baker has netted from the spot to seal the three points for the Three Lions, seeing them safely through to the final four for the first time since 2009. At the Lublin Arena, meanwhile, the impressive Bero has been replaced by Benes late on.

YELLOW CARD! Sweden ace Linus Wahlqvist is booked for a cynical challenge, which will rule him out of the semi-finals should Sweden pull off the ultimate miracle and somehow net four in four minutes or so.

We are now into the final couple of minutes, with Slovakia seemingly happy with their three goals. Will it be enough? Only time will tell, but they certainly would have taken this result at the start of the evening.

SLOVAKIA SUB! Lukas Haraslin is on for Jaroslav Mihalik in Slovakia's second change of the evening. Pavol Safranko so close to adding a fourth, sliding in but failing to make contact from a couple of yards out.

FULL TIME: SLOVAKIA U21s 3-0 SWEDEN U21s

The full-time whistle sounds at the Arena Lublin, meaning that Slovakia are in with a real shot of making it through to the last four. They certainly did all that was required of them, putting three past a dreadful Sweden side who bow out of the competition without a win to their name.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the Arena Lublin. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while a recap of England's commanding win over Poland can be viewed here. Thanks for joining!

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