Home - News - article
Sweden v France preview - Newcastle midfielder Cabaye is an injury doubt for France
Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2012 by Sky Sport

Sweden v France preview - Newcastle midfielder Cabaye is an injury doubt for France
France boss Laurent Blanc has warned his team not too take Sweden lightly in their final Group D game at Euro 2012.

Les Bleus currently head their section and are aware that a draw will be enough to see them earn a place in the knockout stages.

Sweden have lost both of their games against Ukraine and England so far, prompting concerns Blanc's side could take their eye off the ball.

It is a worry Blanc is aware of and he is challenging his troops not to think they are guaranteed victory.

"There is always fear you might take your eye off the ball so it is up to us to be very serious in the way we prepare for the game," he said.

Underestimate

"We need to be aware of what we need to achieve. We were very happy after the Ukraine game and rightly so.

"We are playing against a side who have not qualified but they will still go out to win the game. We mustn't underestimate Sweden."

Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye is France's only doubt ahead of the game but that will do little to blunt the optimism around their chances of success at Euro 2012, following their 23-match unbeaten run.

France snared a 2-0 win over Ukraine in their last outing which was surprisingly their first win at a tournament since their semi-final World Cup win in 2006.

Erik Hamren, the Sweden coach, admitted his side had failed to display their optimum form in the tournament.

Motivation

However, he wants them to leave Poland and Ukraine with their pride intact, and with no pressure on them to win against France, he wants to see a performance that restores pride.

"We don't have anything to lose and can go out there and perform," said Hamren, who confirmed striker Johan Elmander (foot) will not feature and midfielder Rasmus Elm (leg) is a doubt.

"Every game is important when you talk about the national team. If we are going to improve we need to play seriously every time.

"The players are frustrated because we haven't got the results we wanted. I feel myself, and I can see this in the players, a motivation to be better."

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia