Sweden will play its last match at Euro 2012 on Tuesday, but Olof Mellberg and company will look to leave on a high note, looking for the role of spoiler against France on Tuesday at Olympic Stadium in Kiev.
The 34-year-old Mellberg, who finished his third season with Greek side Olympiakos after stints at Aston Villa and Juventus, scored Sweden's only offensive goal of the tournament against England last Friday, giving Sweden a 2-1 lead after Glen Johnson had handed Sweden an equalizer with an own goal. The Swedes couldn't hold that lead, though, surrendering goals to Theo Walcott and Danny Wellbeck to finish on the wrong end of a 3-2 score. That eliminated Sweden from competition, but a stronger effort on Tuesday could eliminate a French side that is trying to right itself after an embarrassment at the World Cup two years ago.
France broke through last Friday for a 2-0 win over Ukraine, its first win at a championship tournament since the 2006 World Cup. The French are now tied with England atop Group D with four points, and the French also lead on goal differential, meaning that they would advance with a win or a draw, regardless of the England-Ukraine result. France could advance with a loss and an England win or draw, but with the runner-up in Group D scheduled to face reigning champion Spain in the quarterfinals, France will want to make all efforts to win the group and secure a less challenging battle with Italy.
To that end, look for Karim Benzema to continue facilitating the French offense. The Real Madrid striker leads France with eight shots during the tournament, and assisted on both goals against Ukraine. He hasn't potted one himself, though, as Jérémy Menez, Samir Nasri and Yohan Cabaye have been the goal-scorers for France thus far. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris hasn't been especially busy, with just one save and one goal conceded in two games.
France should have a sense of urgency early, and while the goals may not immediately come - they were scoreless against Ukraine in the first half - France's talent should eventually be too much. Look for France to exorcise the demons of Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup once and for all on Tuesday, put Sweden away and advance to the quarterfinals.
