Player Ratings: Greece 0-2 Sweden

There was no surprise that Otto Rehhagel elected to deploy a negative tactical plan in this encounter. Well drilled in the art of stifling, his disciplined side managed to hold to their staunch game-plan for over an hour.

Stoiros Kyrgiakos, Traianos Dellas and Peraskevas Antzas provided the steel at the back, and were ably assisted by Vasilas Torosidis and Giorgos Seitaridis in the wing back positions.

There was to be a glitch in the system however; Despite solid sixty minutes, gaps opened on Torosidis’ left side. The Olympiakos defender was missing as Henrik Larsson found Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the opener and Freddie Ljungberg in the run up to the second.

For their part, Sweden are to be admired for their persistence. Despite the whistles and cat calls from the Salzburg crowd in response to Greece’s tactics, the Swedes stuck to their task well and deserved the magic that prized the game open.

Peter Hansson, one dodgy defensive header aside, was imperious for Lars Lagerback’s side while the interchanging and movement of Ibrahimovic, Ljungberg and Larsson had the Greeks unable to defend with a genuine man-marking system.

With Anders Svensson capably using the ball behind his front men, Lagerback’s side largely controlled possession and were worth their two goal win.

Greece:

Antonis Nikopolidis: (6.0) - Unconvincing contribution in the run up to the second goal, but had no chance with Zlatan’s rasper.

Traianos Dellas: (5.5) - Uneconomical in possession and ultimately sacrificed as his side chased the game. Coped well for the first hour though.

Peraskevas Antzas: (6.0) - Saw an uncomfortable amount of action as the Swedes turned the screw, but like Dellas and Kyrgiakos, was supreme in his task for an hour.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos: (6.5) - The most impressive and capable of Greece’s three centre-backs but was woefully indecisive for Hansson’s fortuitous goal.

Giorgos Seitaridis: (6.0) - Used the ball efficiently when the game was scoreless but found little opportunity to unleash a marauding run forward.

Vasilias Torosidis: (6.0) - Both Swedish goals had their origins in his neighbourhood, but he was solid and efficient for well over an hour.

Angelos Basinas: (6.0) - Largely uninvolved as the ball was passed back and forth behind him. He had one strike in the first half but looks a tired version of his 2004 self.

Giorgos Karagounis: (7.0) - The best Greek performer on display. Has a gift to find passes and a wonderful sense of vision. Not the type of game in which his inventiveness was overstated but did enough with his set-pieces to cause a few uncomfortable moments.

Costas Katsouranis: (5.5) - Overshadowed in midfield by a genuinely modest performance by Anders Svensson. Struggled to provide a barrier when Sweden were in possession and looks to be without the energy he contributed to Rehhagel’s side in 2004.

Angelos Charisteas: (7.0) - Would have no doubt been more effective if deployed centrally. On the wing of the woefully ineffective Theofanis Gekas, Charisteas was forced to forage for himself to find chances. He did so in the first half and was willing until the end.

Theofanis Gekas: (5.0) - An inept display from the Leverkusen striker. Contributed very little and was anonymous until his name was announced for a substitution.

Subs:

Giorgos Samaras: (5.5) - Saw more of the ball than Gekas in the first half but never looked like scoring. Tried to make the most of the possession that came his way.

Ioannis Amanatadis: (5.0) - Struggled to make an impact.

Sweden:

Andreas Isaksson: (7.0) - Had little for doing but looked reliable when called upon.

Niclas Alexandersson: (6.5) - A steady display from the 36-year-old. His legs do not allow him to pass the opposition full back any more, but he compensates with accuracy and guile.

Mikael Nilsson: (7.0) - Was not overwhelmed by Charisteas and only occasionally the wrong side of the Nurnberg man. Was willing to offer support to those ahead of him.

Peter Hansson: (7.5) - A top class performance from the no nonsense Rennes defender. Tackled neatly and was commanding in the air. Almost headed an own goal just prior to his second international goal.

Olof Mellberg: (6.5) - Maybe a season at right back has blunted the Juventus bound stopper’s central defensive instincts. He was caught in possession but compensated for his shortcomings with swift delivery forward.

Daniel Andersson: (6.5): - Competed well with the stubborn Greeks and broke up the sporadic attacks that cam his way.

Anders Svensson: (7.0) - Completed the simple tasks with consummate assuredness. An efficient pivot in midfield, he was also unlucky not to score with a stinging volley.

Christian Wilhelmsson: (7.0) - Cause problems for Torosidis before his unfortunate injury. Has a good eye for delivery and will be missed should he fail to re-appear.

Freddie Ljungberg: (7.0) - Full of clever running and eager to take responsibility. Should have taken his one clear chance but can be proud of this display.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: (7.5) - Worth his rating for the outstanding goal alone. However, he contributed much more than that. Full of guile and inventiveness, even if he a little prone to dropping his head. Showed why he is a genuine match winner. In games like this, it takes magic to force an opening. It came by way of his magnificent strike.

Henrik Larsson: (7.0) - Set up the first goal and was involved in the build up to the second. Like Dennis Bergkamp and Ryan Giggs, he has adapted his game to compensate for the passing years.

Subs:

Johan Elmander: (6.5) - Caused panic with his up-and-under for the second goal and showed a couple of tidy touches.

Fredrik Stoor: n/a - The Rosenberg full-back had little opportunity to make an impact.

Markus Rosenberg: n/a Not enough time to merit a genuine rating. Will get his chance later in the tournament with the weary legs of Larsson to cover for.

Peter Staunton