Ibrahimovic buys an island

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has indulged in a spot of retail therapy to get over his Euro 2012 disappointment – and in suitably ostentatious style.

 According to reports, he AC Milan striker has bought himself an island on Lake Malaren, to the west of Stockholm.

 Davenso island, the third largest in Sweden, contains a few scattered properties already, but the newspaper reports that Zlatan's interest goes far beyond the tranquil setting and picturesque vista. 

 The purchased property reportedly contains around 500 hectares of hunting ground, allowing the opportunity to stalk deer and wild boar, as well as fish for pike and perch.

 The 30-year-old sharpshooter recently revealed a growing passion for hunting in his autobiography 'I Am Zlatan Ibrahimovic' and it seems the former Barcelona star has set his sights on taking his hobby to a more practical level. Since he already owns a number of properties in New York, Milan and Sweden, Zlatan is in no rush to move in just yet.

 Indeed, according to the newspaper, his mother has formally acquired the property, with the Malmo-born maestro not due to take possession of his new digs until July 1 – the day of the European Championship final.

 Ibrahimovic's future has been shrouded in doubt of late, with the Swede reportedly keen on a switch to big-spending Paris Saint-Germain, who have been linked with a double swoop for the striker and team-mate Thiago Silva.

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France fail to deliver, book Spain date

France drifted into the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 despite second-half goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sebastian Larsson providing a rousing Group D send-off for already-eliminated Sweden.

 Laurent Blanc's men were second best throughout as they blew their big chance to emerge as group winners and in the end had England to thank for beating Ukraine and keeping them in the competition.

 Ibrahimovic struck a sensational volley to give the proud Swedes a 54th-minute lead then Larsson lashed home the second in injury time much to the delight of the Swedish fans in Kiev.

 France will now face reigning champions Spain in the last eight. Erik Hamren's men, out after losing to both England and Ukraine, showed their intent from the start as they got forward well and fashioned their first chance with just three minutes on the clock.

 Martin Olsson was allowed too much space on the left and floated a cross to Ola Toivonen, who outjumped the French defence but could only direct his free header over the bar.

 Larsson also headed over from an Olsson cross while the Swedes missed a golden chance in the 10th minute when Toivonen sprung clear and rounded French keeper Hugo Lloris only to then hit the post from a tight angle.

 The French were struggling to make much of an impact, perhaps too secure in the knowledge that their last eight spot was virtually secure, though surely keen to avoid a meeting with Group C winners Spain.

 Franck Ribery fed Karim Benzema who blazed the best French chance over the bar but it was Sweden who continued to attack with more purpose, with Olsson in particular exploiting the space afforded him down the left.

 The game drifted towards the interval in rather low-key fashion but France threatened in the final minute, Benzema playing in Ribery whose shot from just inside the box was blazed high over the bar.

 Sweden continued to look more likely to break the deadlock early in the second period, Larsson setting up Olof Mellberg who was ruled narrowly offside, with the French struggling to break down a resolute Swedish defence.

 They almost did so in the 50th minute, when Benzema sprang the offside trap to race clear on the left flank, and after cutting inside onto his favoured right foot, unleashed a shot which flew just wide of Andreas Isaksson's left-hand post.

 Alou Diarra brought a simple save out of Isaksson but just as France looked to be getting to grips with the game, the Swedes stole forward once again and claimed their richly deserved opener.

 Toivonen saw a shot blocked by Lloris then moments later Larsson delivered a drifting ball in from the right which Ibrahimovic met with a spectacular volley to crash the Swedes ahead.

 Mellberg drew a magnificent close-range save out of Lloris as Sweden came close to adding a second, but the French began to respond, with Samir Nasri drilling a shot wide and Yann M'Vila firing straight at Isaksson.

 Nevertheless it was a strangely lethargic performance from the French, who seldom looked likely to wrest the tie - and with it the destiny of Group D - back to their advantage.

 Substitute Jeremy Menez scuffed a simple chance straight at Isaksson with eight minutes to go, then moments later Oliver Giroud headed over the bar from close range when he should have scored.

 Sweden made it two in injury time when Samuel Holmen hammered Andreas Granqvist's cross against the bar and the ball rebounded for Larsson to volley home the simplest of chances.

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France looking to avoid Spain

A Sweden side with little to play for other than pride stand in the way of France in their quest to reach the knockout phase of the Euro 2012.

 France are sitting atop Group D, with goal difference keeping them ahead of England after enduring the stalest of stalemates against the Three Lions before confidently seeing off co-hosts Ukraine in a sodden second match.

 A draw against the Swedes will be enough to secure Les Bleus' passage into the quarter-finals of the competition, but it would not guarantee pole position, which is much coveted as it avoids a meeting with world and European champions Spain.

 "We still need something from the third game," head coach Laurent Blanc said in the wake of his side's scalp of Ukraine.

 "We're not going to get ahead of ourselves. Let's stay humble.

" Yet the momentum with this French team appears to be building.

 France extended their unbeaten record to 23 matches with that 2-0 win over Ukraine, and the victory was, significantly, their first at a major tournament since their semi-final victory against Portugal at the 2006 World Cup.

 With that monkey off their back, Sweden would be right to be wary of a chest-beating outfit.

 The Swedes are out of the tournament after, in a match of toing and froing, they succumbed to a 3-2 loss versus the English.

 Their coach, Erik Hamren, has come under pressure following the failure, yet he has not shied away from criticism, stating he takes "responsibility for what we've done here".

 Sweden player to watch: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It is impossible to look beyond Zlatan.

 He has an allure. This forward, with all due respect, is arguably a cut above his compatriots, yet he is guilty of fading in and out of matches.

 When he is involved, though, his impact can be devastating, and certainly he threatens to be the biggest threat to France.

 "We're playing for our honour against France," Sweden's captain said. "We are going to bring points with us back home.

 We've got one match left and will do something positive with it."

 France player to watch: Franck Ribery.

 Like Zlatan, Ribery is another footballer capable of the brilliant, but also an at times infuriating customer. Following criticism of his form for France, the wideman has managed to transfer something of his club form to his country during this tournament.

 Indeed, he completed the most dribbles at Euro 2012 after two rounds of matches.

 Boasting a blistering turn of pace, Ribery, who has one assist to his name in the competition thus far, has the talent to turn a tight game on its head.

 Key battle: Olof Mellberg v Karim Benzema.

 The contender for best beard at Euro 2012 endured a mixed last outing for his nation, as his brace looked poised to clinch Sweden a memorable comeback - in the process extending their historic hold over England - and subsequently keeping them at Euro 2012 beyond the group stage. Alas, the night ended in agony for the former Aston Villa defender.

 Faced with the height and power of Andy Carroll against England, the strengths of Benzema will test other facets of the Swede's game.

 Benzema has yet to open his goalscoring account at Poland and Ukraine, but he has threatened to send the net a-bulging.

 Indeed, any suggestion of dropping him from the side because his goals scored column reads 'zero' can be countered with the statistic that he is the top scorer (seven) and top assist provider (seven) for France under Blanc.

 Stat: France's shooting accuracy is the highest at Euro 2012: they've tested the opposition goalkeeper with 68% of shots.

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Do or die for England & Sweden as Group D rivals face in Kiev

Martin Olsson nodded. "Win or die?" he was asked when speaking to Goal.com about Sweden's position heading into tonight’s Group D clash with England.

 "Yes, win or die." And the same goes for their opponents if they are to make an impression on Euro 2012. At the moment it is Roy Hodgson’s side who hold all the cards as the realities of potential exit after two games befall the Scandinavians, but one result could change all of that.

 And the match-up in Kiev will be a fascinating clash of circumstances. Whereas England came into the tournament with a complete lack of expectation not experienced in recent times, there was talk in Sweden that Erik Hamren’s men could go far, thanks mainly to having a squad noted for their togetherness and camaraderie, values many have stressed as important for potential outsiders. One game in, that has all changed.

 Now it is Hamren having to answer questions about why his side are not prepared, why they are not united, and more importantly he is left knowing that every game could be their last as competitors in the finals. Hodgson, however, has a confident troop, boosted by their performance in the 1-1 draw with France on Monday in Donetsk.

 Captain Steven Gerrard even went as far as to say that a similar level performance would bring three points tonight. "They're a good side, but they're not France," stated the Liverpool midfielder.

 Having not beaten Sweden competitively in 43 years, had such a turbulent preparation following Fabio Capello’s resignation, known Wayne Rooney would miss their opening two games, and suffered as many injuries as they have, it is perhaps surprising that England go into the game as favourites.

 They were not against France, and that seemed to suit their style under Hodgson. Obdurate, committed, opportunistic, functional; England’s performance was perfect for foiling a superior side.

 But tonight there may need to be a change in emphasis. Sweden have a point to prove, and an urgency that the Three Lions have not proven they have themselves so far during Hodgson’s reign.

 They have the weapons, with Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck likely to start up front against a defence known for their difficulties defending set-pieces over the past nine months.

 Conversely, their back two of Joleon Lescott and John Terry have shown before that they can be exposed to trickery around the edge of the box, and will have Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Johan Elmander, exponents of just such a skill, to deal with.

 In tactics, technique, morale and philosophy, this will be a clash of styles. But the aim is the same. Defeat for Sweden and they’re packing their bags.

 A loss for England and they may as well start doing the same. The Swedes are as beatable now as they ever have been during these barren 43 years, and if England don’t win tonight then one would start to wonder if they will ever beat them again.

 Moreover, it would be a huge dent to the confidence ahead of the clash against Ukraine, opening wounds that have so far remained out of sight to the rest of Europe. If they are to ride this new wave of confidence,they need to not fall down at the second hurdle.

 This one is win or die, alright. But for England almost as much as Sweden.

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