Preview: Sweden vs. Paraguay

June 15th, 2006 | by: Peter |

GAME DETAILS: Sweden vs. Paraguay, Berlin, 21:00 CET
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THE BIG PICTURE
A critical game for both teams after their disappointing first matches. Sweden drew against Trinidad and Tobago despite playing a man up for most of the second half. Sweden had numerous scoring chances but failed to covert. Will they be able to overcome a poor effort and reported tensions in the locker room? Paraguay looked equally uninspired in its 1-0 loss to England. They still have life knowing that a result today could put them in position to advance to the round of 16.

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Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers; name, caps, goals, coach:

Sweden (4-4-2): 1-Andreas Isaksson (39-0); 2-Mikael Nilsson (27-3), 3-Olof Mellberg (65-2), 4-Teddy Lucic (82-0), 5-Erik Edman (38-1); 6-Tobias Linderoth (57-1), 9-Fredrik Ljungberg (58-12), 21-Christian Wilhelmsson (30-2); 16-Kim Kallstrom (35-4); 10-Zlatan Ibrahimovic (39-18), 11-Henrik Larsson (90-35) Coach: Lars Lagerback

Paraguay (4-4-2): 22-Aldo Bobadilla (7-0); 21-Denis Caniza (75-1), 5-Julio Cesar Caceres (33-2), 4-Carlos Gamarra (107-12), 2-Jorge Nunez (16-1); 6-Carlos Bonet (30-1), 10-Roberto Acuna (94-5), 13-Carlos Paredes (69-10), 16-Cristian Riveros (10-0); 9-Roque Santa Cruz (43-13), 18-Nelson Haedo Valdez (12-4) Coach: Anibal Ruiz

LIVEBLOG

Follow the match highlights as they happen on the Sweden vs. Paraguay LiveBlog and stop by to leave your thoughts and comments about the match

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IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS

Sweden

Sweden has not won a match in 2006 with draws against Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Finland, Chile and Trinidad & Tobago along with a 3-0 defeat in Ireland.

People in Sweden eat about 1 kg/person of ham each Christmas.

Sweden’s nation athem is Du Gamla Du Fria (Thou Ancient, Thou Free).

Sweden Team Blog
Team roster
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Paraguay

Paraguay forward Nelson Haedo Valdez: “This will be our final and if we lose we should just start packing…if we play against Sweden like we did in the second half against England we can perform like equals to anyone.”

Paraguay have qualified for their third successive World Cup. They have won one match at each of their previous five World Cups.

Paraguay means “water that goes to the water”.

Paraguay Team Blog
Team Roster
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TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS
Paraguay Team Blog
Sweden Team Blog

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http://paraguay.worldcupblog.org Daniel

Finally we will see the Paraguayan team with its traditional “Albirroja’s” colors…
BrendanLee

Anyone out there willing to give me some tips about this match..?
Roland and co…anybody?
BrendanLee

Sweden to me will be hoping to win their 3rd. match with England to see them through to the next round…history is on their side,unbeaten.Sweden MUST win this match with the do-or-die Paraguayan.
http://paraguay.worldcupblog.org Daniel

Paraguay and Sweden had played 3 times in their histories. Two times in the main national teams and onces with the U-23 in the Barcelona Olympics.

1. Brazil World Cup
Paraguay 2 – 2 Sweden
2. Friendly Match before the Korea-Japan World Cup
Paraguay 2 – 1 Sweden
3. Barcelona 1992 Olympics
Both teams tied.
supreme chancellor

Peter, why don’t you live blog more? I demand to speak to someone in charge. I really thought Paraguay was going to pull through. Hm.