On Saturday an old Scandinavian rivalry will be rekindled in Solna, just north of Stockholm, with hosts Sweden going face-to-face with Denmark in the first leg of their two-legged European Championship playoff. Sweden were edged out of automatic qualification for next summer's tournament in France by Russia and a mere couple of points, while a late collapse from Denmark saw them agonizingly pipped by Albania on the final matchday.
Sweden vs. Denmark live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Euro 2016 qualifying online
Two old Scandinavian rivals face off in the first leg of their Euro 2016 playoff on Saturday.
Stephen Pond/Getty Images
The upshot is that they’re now meeting to decide which team makes it to the tournament, with Saturday’s first leg followed up by a decisive second in Copenhagen on Tuesday. Sweden will be trying to make it to their fifth straight European Championship, while Denmark have only missed one appearance at the Euros since they lifted the trophy against the odds on their fourth attempt in 1992. Who hosted that tournament? You guessed it: Sweden. This is a fixture with plenty of footballing history, and it’s not to be missed.
Key player: Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden)
For many years now, the Swedish national team has been synonymous with its captain, Zlatan Ibrahimović. He’s already declared that the idea of Euro 2016 without him present is “unthinkable,” and at 34, there’s even more motivation for the towering striker to give his all. This will surely be his last tilt at qualifying for the tournament. It’s do-or-die for Ibra.
Recent history
The recent history between these sides doesn’t make for pretty reading for Sweden. Denmark have won four in a row -- admittedly, two of them being friendlies -- against their near neighbors, without having conceded a single goal. You have to go all the way back to a Euro 2008 qualifier eight years ago for the last time Sweden won one of their Danish encounters, and that was only by default. The match was abandoned at 3-3 after a Danish supporter attacked the referee, and was retrospectively awarded to Sweden.
Match date/time: Sat., Nov. 14, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden
TV: Fox Sports 2 (US - English); Fox Deportes (US - Spanish); Sportsnet One (Canada); Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2Go (US); Sportsnet World Now (Canada); Sky Go (U.K.)
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