|
 Carlgren threw himself to his right to save William Carvalho's spot
kick and claim the crown for Sweden sparking joyous celebrations
among the players and coaches.
Portugal looked the better side for much of the game. with Ricardo
driving an early shot wide of the left-hand post and captain Sergio
Oliveira crashing a free kick against the bar.
The Swedes battled their way into the game, creating a few
half-chances of their own but often conceding possession for long
periods to their more skilful opponents.
Undaunted, Sweden almost took the lead at the start of the second
half, John Guidetti firing narrowly over the bar, but they were soon
spending much of the game on the back foot again, with Portugal
dictating the tempo until they tired late on.
Guidetti almost snatched a later winner for the Swedes but he missed
a glorious chance and the final whistle went with the game still
scoreless and the half-hour of extra time failed to produce a goal
to separate the sides.
[to top of second column] |
Each team converted three penalties before Carlgren saved from Toze.
Portugal's Jose Sa, who had conceded one goal in five games in the
tournament, then saved Abdullah Khalili's effort.
Both sides converted their next spot kicks before Carlgren saved
Carvalho's penalty, triggering scenes of wild jubilation among the
thousands of fans who had traveled to the Czech Republic to witness
Sweden's first victory in a Euro final.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor in Stockholm; editing by Ken Ferris)
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