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Kallstrom seeks England victory

Image: Kim Kallstrom: Insists Sweden have nothing to lose when they face England

Kim Kallstrom believes Sweden's chances progressing in Euro 2012 hinge on whether they can beat England on Friday.

Sweden head coach unhappy with his side's display

Kim Kallstrom believes Sweden's chances progressing in Euro 2012 hinge on whether they can beat England on Friday. The Swedes suffered a demoralising 2-1 defeat at the hands of co-hosts Ukraine in their Group D opener, despite taking the lead. The defeat left the Scandinavians at the foot of the table behind France and England, who drew 1-1 in the other game. "That is really our only chance of going further, I believe," the 29-year-old Lyon midfielder told a news conference. "We haven't got a lot left to lose anymore. Our joker is already gone. If you want to progress it's about winning matches." "It's about stepping up now and hoping that we're more effective in front of goal. Then it can go well."

Concentration

Meanwhile, head coach Erik Hamren said his side must put all their energy towards upsetting the Three Lions at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev. "The players must grieve today and I will too, but tomorrow we start with new thoughts and concentrate on England," Hamren said. After a poor first half, the Swedes took the lead shortly after half-time through their captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but two headed goals from Andriy Shevchenko gave the hosts victory. Johan Elmander and Olof Mellberg missed great chances to equalise late on. "I think we are worthy of at least a draw, but we leave there without a point. It's a tough day and it should be," said Hamren. "It's small situations that decide if we lose the game yesterday or not," he added. There were few signs of the free-flowing football Sweden had played in winning all four of their matches this year. "The man in possession of the ball had too few alternatives. That's what I brought up at half-time," said Hamren. "The man in possession saw mostly backs, there were very few who wanted the ball."

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