Eng U21 v Swe U21 as it happened

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

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By Jonathan Stevenson

1952: I'm done. Never again (until next time) will I make such a ludicrous claim as England have won when there is such a long time to go and for that nonsense, I humbly apologise. See you for the final, and the Confed Cup too. Oh, football.

1948: "In my time in international football we haven't broken through a semi-final barrier. We have to do that, use it as a spur and put down foundations for the seniors," said Stuart Pearce yesterday. Job done, fella. Just.

1945: Just to clarify, if England are going to go all the way and win the final - against either Germany or Italy, who kick-off right now - they will have to do it without the suspended Joe Hart, Fraizer Campbell and Gabby Agbonlahor.

From Rafael4Brazil on 606: "OK Stevo, now you've got some work to do: 1) Explain how Milner fell over; 2) Give us detail on the Hart penalty (not his job normally); 3) How did Hart get booked?"
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1. He did a Beckham and just slipped. 2. It was the best penalty you'll ever see - roof of the net. 3. No idea. None.

1940: Commentator's curse? Dunno what you're talking about...

1939: Stuart Pearce's curse is lifted, 19 years after he first suffered penalty shootout defeat in a major tournament semi-final for England. His boys will now play either Germany or Italy in Monday's showpiece final.

ENGLAND WIN 5-4 ON PENALTIES TO REACH THE EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

ENGLAND U21 5-4 SWEDEN U21 Molins hits post

ENGLAND U21 5-4 SWEDEN U21 Gibbs scores

ENGLAND U21 4-4 SWEDEN U21 Bengtsson scores

ENGLAND U21 4-3 SWEDEN U21 Walcott scores

1936: Joe Hart was booked before that penalty was taken, so he will miss the final if England get there.

ENGLAND U21 3-3 SWEDEN U21 Lustig scores

ENGLAND U21 3-2 SWEDEN U21 Johnson scores

ENGLAND U21 2-2 SWEDEN U21 Bjarsmyr scores

ENGLAND U21 2-1 SWEDEN U21 Cattermole scores

ENGLAND U21 1-1 SWEDEN U21 Elm scores

ENGLAND U21 1-0 SWEDEN U21 Hart scores

ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWEDEN U21 Berg saved by Hart

ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWEDEN U21 Milner misses (he fell over)

1929: Let me take you back to 1651: "I will have a list of one to 23 penalty takers. We have analysed the direction in which players take penalties, which is the most successful way for each of our players, the success rate of those players, and obviously the goalkeeper's technique in saving penalties. We've spent two years working on those lessons." Stuart Pearce's words, not mine. It's shootout time.

1926: Full-time in extra-time England U21 3-3 Sweden U21
That, by the way, is a penalty graphic. Because that's exactly what we've got. Oh lordy...

1924: Guillermo Molins blazes over from 25 yards and we've got about 90 seconds left.

1924: Three minutes of extra-time remain. Is it destined to be the first auto refresh penalty shootout?

1922: Stuart Pearce takes Fabrice Muamba off and sends on Adam Johnson, who presumably is quite good at taking penalties. That doesn't count as a curse, does it?

From mrcann on 606: "You couldn't write a better script. Psycho's boys to reach the final on penalties. It won't make up for the heartaches of 90 and 96, but it'll help."
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1919: Ola Toivonen's shot is blocked and it falls nicely for that man Labinot Harbuzi, who sees his dipping 25-yard volley tipped over by Joe Hart. Where's he come from?

1917: Marcus Berg goes perilously close to his hat-trick and he'd deserve it, too. A cross is swung over from the Sweden right by Gustav Svensson and Berg glances his header over Joe Hart and on to the crossbar.

1914: The players look exhausted out there, including most of the Swedish boys too. There are 12 minutes left in Gothenburg, I wonder how many twists and turns remain.

From Paul, London, via text on 81111: "Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. This is frankly excellent training for their full international careers! Choke!"

1911: No rest for the wicked. We're back under way - and despite their shootout problems, you can bet your bottom dollar England would settle for penalties right now.

1909: Half-time in extra-time England U21 3-3 Sweden U21

1909: I would not like to be Fraizer Campbell in that England dressing-room - if they lose tonight - when Stuart Pearce walks back in there. Ouch.

1907: SENDING OFF Fraizer Campbell
That is utterly pathetic - Fraizer Campbell should be ashamed of his behaviour. He slides in on Mikael Lustig by the touchline and though he gets some of the ball, he takes the Swedes's ankle and gives referee Cuneyt Cakir no option other than to show him a second yellow.

1906: Labinot Harbuzi's corner from the right causes a brief moment of panic in the England area, before Martin Cranie puts his right foot through it.

1904: Poor Stuart Pearce. He must wonder what he's done to deserve such a semi-final curse. Let's hope he never gets the full England job.

1900: Rasmus Elm plays a neat one-two with Ola Toivonen and smashes a shot a couple of yards over from long range. They are still playing with the confidence of world-beaters.

From James in Willenhall, via text on 81111: "I'm surprised Real Madrid haven't already tabled a bid for Harbuzi. They might as well add him to the collection of Europe's best."

1857: Robin Soder is back on, but moving very gingerly.

1855: Fraizer Campbell chases after a long punt downfield and catches Robin Soder accidentally - the Swede is in some pain and they've used all three substitutes.

1854: We are now under way in extra-time. Brace yourselves.

BBC Radio 5's Chris Waddle: "There are a lot of tired legs out there for England, a lot of them are getting a rub down, lying on the ground. The Swedes are jumping up and down, they look so up for it now. England have had a huddle, but they'll need more than that."

1850: Full-time England U21 3-3 Sweden U21
I'm speechless. Which is probably a good thing to tell you lot, as I've largely been slaughtered for ruining England's tournament. I'm still confident, however.

1848: Guillermo Molins heads over at the back post and he probably should have done better. We're into injury time, and I hope Stuart Pearce has been reading Churchill.

From jacey26 on 606: "Unbelievable! 3-0 up and I can't see why he took off Noble and I'm not even a West Ham fan. Still, is Walcott playing? I know he's on the pitch but is he actually playing?! This was the time to deliver, Mr Overrated!"
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1844: Ola Toivonen, who is being made to look like Fernando Torres for heaven's sake, almost gets clear on goal, but Nedum Onuoha makes a crucial last-ditch tackle. Phew.

1843: Wow. I'm copping loads of flak for this. Commentator's curse my eye - England have been absolutely pathetic second half, and they are going to have to find all the fighting qualities of their manager to survive this onslaught.

1840: Fraizer Campbell is booked for going in late on goalkeeper Johan Dahlin, a foul which enrages the Swedish boys. The atmosphere is now quite extraordinary.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Chris Waddle: "Sweden will not want extra-time - they have to go for England while there is normal time left, they can win it now. England's front three and midfield three have gone, they aren't there anymore."

Oh good God. England have melted in the heat and Sweden complete a truly astonishing comeback. Guillermo Molins crosses from the right, Robin Soder flicks it back at the far post and Marcus Berg crashes it into the roof of Joe Hart's net. England have gone.

1837: GOAL England U21 3-3 Sweden U21

1836: England are giving it away cheaply, though to be fair, their passing hasn't been great all evening. Labinot Harbuzi, the catalyst for Sweden's comeback, continues to have the game of his life. Have they got another goal in them?

From Jamie, via text on 81111: "(See 1741) That was always going to be dangerous, wasn't it?"
Hey - we're still winning. Positive thoughts, guys.

1832: There are still 15 minutes left of normal time. That suddenly seems like an eternity.

Yep, that's quite a good goal in fairness - and my word do we have a game of football on our hands now. Ola Toivonen picks himself up to curl home over the wall and into the corner past a despairing Joe Hart. Istanbul, anyone?

1831: GOAL England U21 3-2 Sweden U21

1830: Nedum Onuoha fouls Ola Toivonen 22 yards out and Sweden have a free-kick in a very dangerous position...

1829: Sweden's attack breaks down and Theo Walcott has the freedom of the park to run into - but he picks the wrong option yet again, shooting from 20 yards into the arms of Johan Dahlin. He's been hugely disappointing today.

1827: Well, Stuart Pearce, you've got away with one there. After the corner is cleared, a second ball is played in to the far post and Mikael Lustig heads into the side-netting. Another Sweden goal here and this stadium will erupt.

1826: The crowd have come to life in an enormous way and England - defending a corner - are making a substitution, taking Mark Noble off and bringing on Jack Rodwell.

Hmm, I wonder... Guillermo Molins beats Kieran Gibbs down the Sweden right for the second time in a minute and there is Marcus Berg to slot in from eight yards. Surely not?

1824: GOAL England U21 3-1 Sweden U21

1822: Martin Cranie gets up - unchallenged - for a header from yet another corner and Guillermo Molins kicks it off the line. Honestly, are they just not allowed to go up for the ball in their own area, Sweden?

From Buggy - Made in Coventry on 606: "The picture of Stuart Pearce on the football home page: how much more British can you get? He is stood watching the team, with a cuppa. GOD BLESS HIM."
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Amen to that, brother.

1817: Sweden are caught in possession but Theo Walcott shoots from 25 yards instead of taking the ball forward and his shot is straight into the arms of Johan Dahlin.

1815: The crowd have calmed down and this game is threatening to drift towards its conclusion now - a very satisfying one for Stuart Pearce and his men, but not for the hosts. Gabby Agbonlahor's tournament is over, meanwhile, as he is taken off and replaced by Fraizer Campbell.

BBC Radio 5's Chris Waddle: "I was expecting a lot more from the front two of Sweden - I've been especially disappointed with Marcus Berg, he's just hardly had a kick."

1811: Ten minutes gone in the second half and so far, so good for England, who still lead 3-0.

1808: Theo Walcott goes on a mazy dribble from inside his own half, skipping effortlessly past three players but failing to square in time to Lee Cattermole, taking too long to shift it on to his right foot. If Walcott had a left one, he'd be unplayable.

1806: Sweden are playing some nice stuff now and they win a corner down the right that Rasmus Bengtsson powerfully heads over the bar.

1804: Labinot Harbuzi, which is a brilliant name in every single way, has livened the Swedish team and fans up and he smashes one in from 22 yards that flies a little over Joe Hart's crossbar. Looks a talented boy.

1801: Sweden bring on Guillermo Molins and Labinot Harbuzi for Andreas Landgren and Martin Olsson and we are under way. Thankfully the hosts get decent applause from their home fans after a couple of morons booed them off at half-time.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Chris Waddle: "Only complacency can stop England now. Defensively they look solid, Fabrice Muamba protects the back four well and Sweden look hopeless trying to stop them from set-pieces."

From GraymeadYNWA on 606: "Who needs British success at Wimbledon when you have this?"
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Live - Wimbledon

1755: Want a laugh? Then read Chris Charles' latest 'Review of the week', which prominently features the new Newcastle away kit - arguably the worst football shirt I have ever seen in my life...
Read: Review of the week

From Dave in Chiswick, via text on 81111: "Losing from 3-0 up... West Ham have done it at least twice, and who does captain Noble play for? :)"

1747: Half-time England U21 3-0 Sweden U21
What a half for England, who have all-but booked their place in Monday's European Under-21 Championship final. Sweden will wonder how on earth they are 3-0 down, but England have punished them ruthlessly for some lacklustre defending.

1746: Sweden's chance to get a header in from a corner, but Mikael Lustig glances weakly wide after getting up above Martin Cranie.

1743: England are enjoying themselves now and after some lovely approach play down the left, Lee Cattermole crashes a volley a yard over from the edge of the penalty area. It's vintage stuff, this.

1741: Germany or Italy will meet England in the final on Monday - they play in Helsingborg at 1945 BST.

Now that is game over - who has ever come back from 3-0 down? Another corner is punched away from under his own bar by Johan Dahlin and as Lee Cattermole puts in back into the six-yard danger area, the unfortunate Mattias Bjarsmyr sticks his foot out and deflects the ball past his own keeper. Oh dear.

1738: GOAL England U21 3-0 Sweden U21

1736: England are playing a diagonal ball over the top to Theo Walcott on the left-hand side an awful lot. He's played constantly from the left in this tournament, too - I wonder if that's at the behest of a certain Fabio Capello...

From gunner-zp on 606: "Here are the rules for this year's tournament: Anyone who is born on or after January 1st 1986 is eligible to play, that's why James Milner can play even though he's 23. That goes for every tournament two years ahead, so for the 2011 tournament, all players have to be born after Jan 1 1988."
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1730: Sweden aren't playing badly, but this is now England's match to lose. Let's face it, they've done it before, but can they hold on this time?

England are halfway to Monday's final. Sweden cannot cope with these corners and as another is fired in from the England left, Rasmus Bengtsson fails to deal with Nedum Onuoha, who controls the ball, turns on a sixpence and fires into the bottom corner from eight yards. Fine goal.

1727: GOAL England U21 2-0 Sweden U21

1724: Gazza moment number one: It's a hammer blow for Gabby Agbonlahor, he will now miss the final if England get there after picking up a yellow card for leading with an elbow on Mattias Bjarsmyr.

1723: We're halfway through the first half now and England still lead 1-0, courtesy of Martin Cranie's early strike. Long way to go, however, and the Swedes have already proved they can play a bit.

1720: Ooh. Rasmus Elm gets time and space to fire over a cross from the right and Marcus Berg gets in between two defenders to head over the bar at the back post.

1719: Sacrilege, as James Milner's inswinging corner from the left flies miles over everyone's head and out for a goalkick. When you've got England's aerial threat, that's a shocker.

From Tim in Tring, at work, via text on 81111: "Great start by Pearce, I wonder if his new found managerial success is down to Beanie... can you see him on the touchline?"
Haha. Nope (Google it if you're confused)

1715: Is it just me, or does it seem like James Milner has been playing for England's Under-21s forever? This must be about his 70th cap... anyway, he and Mark Noble have had a cracking start so far, but Sweden do look dangerous when they break. It's a proper game this, no mistake.

From I belong to Nasri on 606: "Kieran Gibbs has been my England man of the tournament so far. He has been excellent."
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1710: This is a thoroughly entertaining start - we've had more action in 10 minutes than we got in 88 of Brazil v South Africa last night. Long may it continue.

1707: Good save from new Birmingham keeper Joe Hart, diving away to his left to parry away Ola Toivonen's 25-yard free-kick. Watch out for Toivonen and his strike partner Marcus Berg - they're a handful.

1705: Fair to say Stuart Pearce won't be getting carried away by that early goal. Remember Alan Shearer's early header against Germany in Euro 96? I bet Pearcey does.

Hmm, not sure who's gonna claim that, but who cares?! What a start for England as Mark Noble sends over a corner from the right and after a flick on, Martin Cranie fires in a left-foot shot that beats keeper Johan Dahlin and flies in despite the frantic efforts of a defender on the line. Dream start.

1701: GOAL England U21 1-0 Sweden U21

1700: Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir gets us underway in the Gamla Ullevi Stadium. Come on England.

1658: Do a cheeky manual refresh, and a scorebox will magically appear on the top right-hand side of this page. I mean, you don't have to, it's just there if you want it.

1656: The teams are out in Gothenburg, the sun is shining brightly and we're about to get the two anthems. Cue Stuart Pearce absolutely belting out God Save the Queen...

From Paul, Edinburgh, via text on 81111: "Lets hope Andy Driver gets on and shows the English how it's done, before defecting to Scotland in time for 2010 :)"

1651: Fair to say if it does go to penalties England coach Stuart Pearce, one of football's unluckiest shootout exponents, has done everything he can: "I will have a list of one to 23 penalty takers. We have analysed the direction in which players take penalties, which is the most successful way for each of our players, the success rate of those players, and obviously the goalkeeper's technique in saving penalties. We've spent two years working on those lessons." Oh, and ever wondered how much it means to Pearce to represent England? Check out the picture, and wonder no more.

1648: Cast your mind back two years and let's for a minute remember one of the great England dramas at any age group, when the Under-21s crashed out of this tournament to - omen? - hosts Netherlands 13-12 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Check out our report, complete with biggest shootout box of all time...
Flashback: Holland U21 1-1 Eng U21 (Holland win 13-12 on pens)

1645: Oh, go on then. Stevo's Predo:
England U21 2-1 Sweden U21. No penos required.

From El™ Nino on 606: "I think England will win, 2-0 my prediction, I don't think Sweden will be able to cope with the sheer pace of Theo Walcott."
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1642: Hey, it's not every day we bring you coverage of England in a semi-final, is it? In any sport, for crying out loud. So why not get involved? Text your Under-21 thoughts to 81111, and pop along to 606 too, where the locals will soon be in full flow.
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1639: Sweden Under-21s v England Under-21s line-ups:
England U21: 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 U21: 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: Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey).

1636: So, welcome to the European Under-21 Championship semi-final between hosts Sweden and England in Gothenburg. The winners go through to Monday's final, the losers don't even get the consolation of a third-place play-off. It's boom or bust at the Gamla Ullevi Stadium.

1634: Italia '90, Euro '96, Euro U21 champs in '07... it's about time our Psycho had a bit of luck, isn't it? Not to mention the three lions - since triumphing at the Under-21 Championship in 1984, England teams have been to a total of 64 finals competitions across the age groups and have won just one of them (U19s, 1993). It's time to make history.

1630: It's England, it's the semi-final stage of a major tournament, and Stuart Pearce is involved. If you're allergic to heartbreaking penalty shootout defeats, probably look away now...