Rehearsals of Opening Ceremony of London Olympics:The Thames takes centre stage for the Olympic opening ceremony

London is Preparing itself for the opening Ceremony of the greatest event of sports i.e. London Olympics.The performers had been sworn to secrecy, rehearsals had taken place behind steel fencing and only a handful of people were privy to the full details.

But as preparations for the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony got underway, organisers forgot one crucial detail – there is no roof on the Olympic stadium and the entire process was being filmed from above.

Yesterday, aerial images emerged of a ‘secret’ set design based on Britain’s longest running soap EastEnders.

The set appeared to be an exact replica of the opening credits from the BBC programme, including the bend on the River Thames and the web of city streets.

It comes just two days after organisers revealed that the £27m ceremony will open with a rural idyll, complete with real cows, sheep and a horse-drawn plough.

But despite announcing details of the opening scenes, artistic director Danny Boyle had hoped that the rest of the ceremony could be kept under wraps.

Mr Boyle, best known for directing hit film Slumdog Millionaire that was based on slums of Indian city Mumbai was quoted saying to daily mail,  that We want people to discover it for themselves on the night. 

'We want it to be a puzzle until the unveiling, so that people can experience it as it goes on.’

Also visible in the photographs is a recreation of the Glastonbury Thor and an enormous fake tree, which will appear in the first scene, entitled ‘green and pleasant land’.

The opener will include a cricket match, real horses pulling a plough and ducks paddling in a lake. 

There will even be an artificial cloud to produce rain, to reflect typical British weather.

Ceremonies executive producer Stephen Daldry, who directed film Billy Elliott, has already hinted that the rural scenes will ‘look unrecognisable’ by the end of the ceremony, and will be replaced by a more urban reflection of Britain.

The soap will strengthen its links with the Olympics in the coming weeks.

The Olympic Torch relay route will travel through the set of Albert Square as it makes its way through London to the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony on 27 July.

On July 23, EastEnders will feature live footage of character Billy Mitchell, played by Perry Fenwick, carrying the Olympic Flame while being cheered on by the famous residents of Albert Square.

Several minutes of the Olympic procession will be shown on the programme, while the rest of the episode will be filmed in advance.

Last night, a spokeswoman for organisers Locog said: ‘We have outlined details about the opening scene and we have nothing more to add.’

Mahendra Singh Dhoni Coming to Nepal on Saturday

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who made the Indian supremacy in Test, T20 and World Cup will be arriving here in Kathmandu on June 16 for a day visit”, one of the national daily reported today.

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and Indian Embassy on Tuesday jointly organized a press meet and officially announced the visit of Indian Cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni´s to Nepal.

First secretary of Indian Embassy Apurva Shrivastav informed that Dhoni will be arriving Nepal on June 16 and will return on 17. “This is not a personal visit of the Indian skipper to Nepal. It´s an official visit and he will be meeting Nepali cricket players. He will interact with press and other guests,” Shrivastav said. 

Indian Skipper Mahi 

Shrivastav further added that the Dhoni´s visit will be helpful for the development of cricket in Nepal. “We wanted to encourage Nepali youths and the best way was through sports. We organized T20 cricket tournament and we also provided scholarship to the U-19 girls´ team for completing hat-trick in ACC U-19 Women´s Championship.”
Shrivastav informed that, Dhoni will interact with the press after his arrival in Kathmandu. Later, he is also scheduled to meet the U-19 and the senior cricket players at the TU cricket ground. On the second day, he will offer prayers at the Pashupatinath Temple before leaving for India.
CAN President Tanka Aangbuhang said Dhoni´s visit will be helpful for the development of cricket in Nepal. “We will discuss Nepali cricket with Dhoni.”
CAN General Secretary Ashok Nath Pyakurel said the tips from Dhoni will matter for the players and will help them improve their skills. 

Euro cup Live streaming online : Sweden VS Ukaraine

The hosts of the Euro Cup 2012 will be facing Sweden on 11th June on their home ground. It will be a battle for glory. Both the teams will be playing to their fullest and all this will just be more exciting to watch after the Group D opener; England vs France on the same day. On the other side the co host, Poland for Euro 2012 has already drawn its first game against Greece by 1-1.

Ukraine has taken full advantage of the opportunity to make a debut as it owns the home field. They would be depending upon their star players like Andrey Voroninto take the front line and play some great football. Young midfielders like Andry Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka would be covering his back. Nevertheless Ukraine is going through its first experience in the cup.

However Sweden has a lot of history behind it in the competition. They won all ten of their qualifiers for the Euro 2012. More interestingly, the team’s substitutes have scored seven goals; which are more goals than any other team in the tournament. So it would be quite possible that Sweden will shoot in the beginning and defend the field later.
Match Details
Watch Sweden vs Ukraine Live Streaming Online Free

Ukraine VS Sweden

Group D
Date: Monday 11 June, 2012
Time: 21:45 Ukraine Time
Venue: Kiev

Euro Cup live Streaming online: England VS France

England and France go into the Group D opener on June 11th. Things don’t look so good for Roy Hodgsons’s men as England has successively lost the five last games against Les Blues. And to worsen the matters France will come into the field after the thrashing Estonia 4-0 and with the daunting feats of the players like Benzema and Frank Ribery. This will definitely change Laurent Blanc’s unbeaten streak record.\Looking at the present situation, it seems that England won’t stand a chance in this group but you can never be so sure about football, especially when you’re talking about international football. Nevertheless the bad luck for the team is that Gary Cahil (jaw), Gareth Barry (stomach), Frank Lampard (thigh) and John Ruddy (finger) are all out of the tournament. But the good news for the coach is that Chelsea’s centre-back John Terry was declared fit for the Euro Cup who was a main injury concern for Roy Hodgson.

England VS france

On the other hand, France has only one injury to worry about and that is the striker Loic Remy; who is suffering from a hip injury. With him, Mapou Yanga-Mibwa and Yoann Gourcuff were also shortlisted from the squad. But whatever the reasons, you can never predict so well in football.

Match Details 
Group D France vs England
Competition: UEFA Euro Cup 2012 5th Match
Date: Monday, June 11, 2012
Venue: Donbass Arena Stadium -Donetsk
Kick Off Time: 17:00pm UK Time

Euro Cup 2012:Points Table of Euro 2012

As Euro Cup is undergoing in poland and Ukraine the tournaents have seen some expected and some unexpected results as well. So I am bringing the update on points table of Euro 2012. Points table will be updates as the tournament progress 

Points Table of Euro 2012 After Third Day

NSJF announced nominees of Popular Player of the Year

The Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) on Thursday announced the nominees of the "Popular Player of the Year" Award.

The nominees include - cricketer Shakti Gauchan, footballer Bharat Khawas, athlete Sabita Chaudhary, volleyball player Ramila Tandukar and tennis player Aslesha Lissanevitch.
The nominees were selected by the eight-member Players Selection Committee under the chairmanship of NSJF Secretary Mahesh Acharya.
The winner will be selected through SMS voting during the Sports Award scheduled to be held in July 4 at Nepal Academy Hall in the capital.

The Sports Award being conducted by Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) annually honors sports persons on the basis of their performance in eight different categories including Pulsar player of the year male and female, youth player, coach, para athlete, lifetime achievement award, special award and popular player of the year.

The winner of the special award, lifetime achievement award and para-athlete award will be disclosed during the award ceremony. Five players each will be nominated in four categories -- player of the year male and female, youth player, coach of the year. According to the organizer NSJF, the nominees for other categories will be disclosed later.

According to NSJF President Niranjan Rajbanshi, the players were nominated for the category on the basis of popularity and fame they earned in 2068 BS.

Speaking on the occasion, all rounder cricketer Gauchan said that he was very much pleased with his nomination in the category. "I used to vote for other friends during previous editions, but this time I have been nominated in the category for the first time," the 27-year-old Gauchan said.

Young tennis player Lissanevitch said that tennis was her passion and she was dedicated to promotion of Nepali tennis. The 16-year-old appealing all her fans to vote for her said, "I will meet all your expectations."

Volleyball player Tandukar, 15, thanked her coach and supporters for inspiring her to play better. Athlete Chaudhary thanked her club Armed Police Force (APF) for providing her an opportunity to play. "I was undergoing departmental training of APF in Nawalparasi when I was called to the headquarters in the capital on Tuesday. After my arrival in the capital I came to know that I had been nominated for the award and I am very much happy," said Chaudhary.

To vote for a player, one needs to type Pulsar followed by a space and the first alphabet of the first and the last name of the player and SMS it to 3131. For instance, to vote for Bharat Khawas, mobile users need to type Pulsar followed by a space and BK and send it to 3131.

From the current edition, vote can be cast through landline phone as well. For voting from landline, voters need to dial 1605 and follow the instructions.

From Left Aslesha Lissanevitch,  Bharat Khawas, Ramila, Sabita and Shakti

Meanwhile, NSJF President Rajbanshi and THT Live Manager Bhima Pradhan inked the deal for voting during the same function.
Aslesha Lissanevitch She has clean swept all the titles of domestic tennis she participated in the year 2068.

She claimed the title of APF Open Lawn-tennis and gold in the Sixth National Games

She is Nepal´s no 1 tennis player and has represented Nepal in Asian level tournaments.

Bharat Khawas
He scored 14 goals for his team Nepal Police Club in its title haul of Martyrs Memorial A Division Football League.

He scored five goals for Police and was declared the best forward for the departmental team that clinched the title of national football league.

He scored the equalizer against Jordan in the second leg of the World Cup qualifiers held at Dasharath Stadium to avenge the humiliating 9-0 defeat suffered during first leg in Jordan.

He scored an attractive goal against Pakistan in course of steering Nepal to the semifinal of the SAFF Championship.

Ramila Tandukar
She established herself as a well-known name in domestic volleyball round the year.

Teenager Tandukar was declared the best player during the sixth and seventh editions of Dhorpatan National Women´s Double League Volleyball.

She was declared the best player and spiker during various school level volleyball tournaments.

Sabita Chaudhary
She became the center of attraction during the Sixth National Games held in her home town of Dhangadhi.

She set two national records in the National Games -- heat round of 100 m hurdles and 400 m hurdles. But she was red carded in the final of 100 m hurdles for a false start.

She won two gold medals in the National Games including 400 m hurdles and 1x400 m relay.

Shakti Gauchan
Making his comeback in the national team after a year and a half, he helped Nepal climb to the seventh position from 16th in the ICC T20 Ranking of the Associate and Affiliated Members as Nepal finished seventh in the ICC World T20 Qualifiers.

He claimed 16 wickets during the tournament including a hat-trick. It was the first hat-trick by a Nepali male player at international level.

His popularity soared after he was called for a trial by IPL club Rajasthan Royals.

Euro Cup 2012: Team Profile France (Know the Participating Team France

The world most exciting Tournament has already begun and we have seen some exceptional games till date. All 16 qualified European giants are fighting for the cup and every team will play to win the tournament.

www.anantasports.com is bringing the profiles of all the participating team to its readers and here it is France. France is taking part in the tournaments under the guidance of Coach Laurent Blanc. 

Laurent Blanc’s side didn’t qualify easily. Qualifying for France was not an easy affair. After a turbulent World Cup campaign, the team was quickly thrust into further turmoil with a home defeat against a well organized Belarus side, though that would be the team's sole defeat of the campaign, and the last time les Bleus have been beaten in any match.

Crucial to the quest was the team's immediate ability to bounce back in Bosnia, where it defeated its host 2-0. A series of solid if unspectacular performances followed, leaving the final match, also against Safet Susic's side, crucial.

Edin Dzeko would give Bosnia & Herzegovina the lead, but a nervous French side riddled with injury problems battled back and qualified thanks to a Samir Nasri penalty.

France may have won the European Championship twice, but its record in the competition as a whole is remarkably mundane otherwise.

French Team For Euro 2012

 Led by the great Michel Platini in 1984, les Bleus picked up their maiden success on home soil, having barely tasted the final stages of the competition previously, and they would repeat that victory in dramatic circumstances over Italy 16 years later.

Since then, les Bleus crashed out to eventual-winner Greece at the quarterfinal stage in 2004 before failing miserably to make even the slightest impression on the ‘Group of Death’ four years later, when the team was humiliated by the Netherlands and Italy.
Coach: Laurent Blanc

Appointed in the wake of Raymond Domenech’s catastrophic reign, Blanc was charged with picking up the pieces of a France side in disarray following a dreadful World Cup 2010 campaign that had left the squad fractured.

His coaching CV to that point might have been short, consisting of no more than two years with Girondins de Bordeaux, but it was also remarkably impressive as ‘Le President’ had led the Stade Chaban-Delmas club to the Ligue 1 title in his debut season and followed that up with a charge to the Champions League quarterfinals.

Blanc is no stranger to the international game, either, having captained France as a classy center back during its 1998 World Cup triumph, albeit missing the final due to a controversial suspension.

France Coach Laurent Blanc

Captain Hugo LLoris

France coach Blanc showed his immense faith in goalkeeper Hugo Lloris by announcing he would be the captain of the national team for Euro 2012 back in February.

Already with over 30 caps to his name at the age of 25, the Olympique Lyonnais goalkeeper is regarded as one of the most promising young players in his position in Europe, having played a key role for les Gones since signing from hometown club Nice in 2008.

Though veterans such as Franck Ribery and Florent Malouda have more international experience, having played in the 2006 World Cup final, Lloris is the figurehead of a new era of the French game, which is why he has been chosen as the skipper ahead of such luminaries.

France Captain Hugo Lloris

Player to watch Franc Ribbery

Picking out an individual star from the ranks of talented French players is no easy task, particularly as so many of these men have flattered to deceive on the international stage in recent times.

Ribery, in particular, is a player to have come under scrutiny domestically as he is perceived to be too individualistic and egotistical. Blanc has, however, stressed the importance of the Bayern Munich winger as a player who can turn a game in an instant.

Injury and loss of form have prevented the former Olympique de Marseille man from reaching his peak yet under Blanc, but if he can produce the kind of play for France that he does on an almost weekly basis for Bayern, les Bleus’ level will undoubtedly benefit.

France Player FrancRibbery

How France Qualify:

France confirmed their place after topping Group D ahead of Bosnia , Romania and Belarus. Crucial to the quest was the team's immediate ability to bounce back in Bosnia, where it defeated its host 2-0. 

GROUP D	GP	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	France (Q)	10	6	3	1	11	21
2	Bosnia & Herzegovina	10	6	2	2	9	20
3	Romania	10	3	5	2	4	14
4	Belarus	10	3	4	3	1	13
5	Albania	10	2	3	5	-7	9
6	Luxembourg	10	1	1	8	-18	4

Sep 3, 2010 France 0-1 Belarus
Sep 7, 2010 Bosnia & Hezegovina 0-2 France
Oct 9, 2010 France 2-0 Romania
Oct 12, 2010 France 2-0 Luxembourg
Mar 25, 2011 Luxembourg 0-2 France
Jun 3, 2011 Belarus 1-1 France
Sep 2, 2011 Albania 1-2 France
Sep 6, 2011 Romania 0-0 France
Oct 7, 2011 France 3-0 Albania
Oct 11, 2011 France 1-1 Bosnia &Herzegovina 


Jersy: Brand: Nike
Home Jersey: Blue horizontal stripes
Away Jersey: White with black thin line highlights on both sleeves

France Home and Away Jersy

 France Squad For Euro 2012:

Coach: Laurent Blanc

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux)
Defenders: Gael Clichy (Manchester City), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Philippe Mexes (AC Milan), Adil Rami (Valence), Mathieu Debuchy (Lille), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon)
 Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Samir Nasri (Manchester City), Alou Diarra (Marseille), Yann M'Vila (Rennes), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Marvin Martin (Sochaux)
 Strikers: Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle), Karim Benzema, (Real Madrid), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Olivier Giroud (Montpellier), Jeremy Menez (PSG), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)
 Style of play: Coach Laurent Blanc favours a solid 4-2-3-1 formation based on a solid defence. A flat back four are supported by two defensive midfielders (Yann M'vila and Yohan Cabaye) who not only serve as the first line of defence but also key link between midfield and the attack. They also use a high pressing game to win back possession in the opponent's half. Blanc wants his team to dominate possession, so it hardly comes as a surprise that France uses its technical skills to move the ball around quickly and on the ground. Franck Ribery pulls the creative strings in the centre of midfield, flanked on either side by Samir Nasri and Mathieu Valbuena. The trio push forward in attack and offer service to the lone striker, Karim Benzema.

Euro Cup 2012: Team Profile Ukraine (Know the participating team Ukraine

The world most exciting Tournament has already begun and we have seen some exceptional games till date. All 16 qualified European giants are fighting for the cup and every team will play to win the tournament.

www.anantasports.com is bringing the profiles of all the participating team to its readers and here it is Ukraine. Ukraine is taking part in the tournaments under the guidance of Coach Oleh Blokhin. 
Oleh Blokhin’s side qualify for the tournament as co host along with Ukraine as the host don’t have to play qualifying matches.Ukraine’s  preparations for Euro 2012 was  disrupted last autumn with the resignation of coach Myron Markevych, who left the national team on “moral grounds” after claiming the club side he was also managing, Metalist Kharkiv, were being unfairly targeted by the Ukrainian Football Federation (FFU). Yuriy Kalitvintsev took temporary charge of the side for eight matches until the legendary figure of Oleg Blokhin was installed as coach for the forthcoming tournament back in April.

Ukraine has an undistinguished history in the European Championships having never qualified for the tournament before. This can, of course, be partly contributed to their short footballing history, having first competed in a qualifying campaign for the 1996 edition of the competition. On that occasion they finished fourth in a group that included Italy and Croatia.

Four years later Euro 2000 brought play-off heartbreak as Slovenia beat them 3-2 over two legs in a clash that is best remembered for Milenko Acimovic’s incredible long-range for the hosts in Ljubljana. More frustration was to follow in 2004 as the Ukrainian side finished third behind Spain and eventual tournament winners Greece. The 2008 campaign then saw Ukraine disappointingly placed fourth behind Italy, France and Scotland in qualifying group B. The Ukrainians finishing nine points off the qualification places.

Coach: Oleh Blokhin

This is Oleg Blokhin’s second stint in charge of the Ukrainian national side having previously led his country to their first ever World Cup appearance back in 2006. They performed well too, progressing through to the quarter-final stage before being knocked out by eventual winners Italy. His club CV is far from impressive, but the experience of 2006 meant that few opposed his reinstatement as coach. As a player, Blokhin was a wonderfully athletic forward and a key figure in the outstanding Dynamo Kiev sides of the 1970s and 80s

Captain Andriy Shevchenko

The captaincy has been passed between Andriy Shevchenko and Anatoliy Tymoshchuk during the preparations for the tournament, with Blokhin experimenting with different variations of 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1. If he can secure a starting berth, the former Milan forward is likely to be handed the armband.

The 35-year-old Dynamo Kiev striker needs little introduction. Named European Footballer of the Year in 2004, Shevchenko helped lead Dynamo to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 1999, before a highly productive seven-year spell in Italy with AC Milan. His influence is now on the wane, but he remains a big personality in the side. Four more goals will see him hit the half century mark for his country.

 Player to watch :OleksandrAliyev

An irrepressible presence in the middle of the field, Aliyev runs and passes and probes. Whilst his inclusion is probably dependant on Blokhin plumping for a three-man central midfield, the energy and invention of the 26-year-old Dynamo Kiev midfielder can't be replicated within the squad.

A troublemaker during his first spell at Dynamo, he enhanced his reputation with an impressive 13-month spell at Lokomotiv Moscow before returning to the Ukrainian capital in March. His inclusion in the side also provides a goal threat from set plays, with the diminutive midfielder packing a punch that belies his modest size. 

How they Qualify:Ukraine Qualify for Euro 2012 as a co host of the Tournament

Jersy

Brand: Adidas

Home Jersey: Yellow with light-blue and yellow horizontal lines
Away Jersey: Yellow with light-blue and yellow horizontal lines

Ukraine Squad foe Euro 2012:

Coach: Oleh Blokhin

Goalkeepers: Oleksandr Goryainov (Metalist Kharkiv), Maxym Koval (Dynamo Kyiv), Andriy Pyatov (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Defenders: Bohdan Butko (Illychivets Mariupil), Olexandr Kucher (Shakhtar Donetsk), Taras Mikhalik (Dynamo Kyiv), Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Shakhtar Donetsk), Yevhen Selin (Vorskla Poltava), Yevhen Khacheridi (Dynamo Kyiv), Vyacheslav Shevchuk (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Midfielders: Olexandr Aliyev (Dynamo Kyiv), Denys Garmash (Dynamo Kyiv), Oleh Gusev (Dynamo Kyiv), Yevhen Konoplyanka (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Serhiy Nazarenko (Tavriya Simferopol), Ruslan Rotan (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Anatoliy Tymoshchuk (Bayern Munich), Andriy Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kyiv)

Forwards: Andriy Voronin (Dinamo Moscow), Marko Devic (Metalist Kharkiv), Artem Milevskiy (Dynamo Kyiv), Yevhen Seleznyov (Shakhtar Donetsk), Andriy Shevchenko (Dynamo Kyiv)

Style of play: Manager Oleh Blokhin fluctuates between a 4-5-1 and a traditional 4-4-2 formation. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk serves as the defensive anchor in midfield, dropping back deep to support the back line, while partner Ruslan Rotan focuses on building the attack. Ukraine tries to beat teams by using its great speed down the flanks, so look for them to work the ball to Andriy Yarmolenko and Oleg Gusev as much as possible. Up front, Artem Milevskiy serves as the target man, with Andriy Shevchenko operating in the hole behind him in a free role. Tymoshchuk is the key player, as he is called upon to break up opponent's offensive play, and serve as the steady link between defence and attack.

Euro Cup 2012: Team Profile Sweden (Know the Participating Team Sweden)

The world most exciting Tournament has already begun and we have seen some exceptional games till date. All 16 qualified European giants are fighting for the cup and every team will play to win the tournament.

www.anantasports.com is bringing the profiles of all the participating team to its readers and here it is Sweden. Sweden is taking part in the tournaments under the guidance of Coach Erik Hamren.

 Erik Hamren’s side qualifies for the Euro 2012 as runner up of Group E behind World cup semifinalist Netherlands while Sweden was ahead of Hungary and Finland. Needing a win against the Netherlands to ensure Euro 2012 qualification as best runners-up, and thus avoid the potentially treacherous play-offs, Sweden produced the goods (a 3-2 victory in Stockholm) when it mattered against a team who had won every match of their group E campaign up to that point.

Going 2-1 down soon after half time, they nervelessly delivered an immediate response. Within 60 seconds Sebastian Larsson buried a penalty before, just a minute later, PSV Eindhoven forward Ola Toivonen put the determined hosts back in front - and his delirious nation on their way to Euro 2012.

Swedish Team for Euro 2012

Sweden were inspired by playing in front of their home fans in 1992, beating England 2-1 in the group stages as they made the last four. Unfortunately an even more talented Germany side - the reigning world champions - stood in the way of Thomas Brolin and Co, beating the hosts 3-2 in Stockholm with two Karlheinz Reidle goals. In 2004, Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined national hero Henrik Larsson at the head of Sweden's attack for the Euros, providing one of the more potent strike forces in the competition. However, what would turn out to be their second best ever run came to an end at the hands of the Netherlands, who ousted the Swedes in the quarter finals on penalties.

Coach: Erik Hamren

Erik Hamren has proved his worth after taking over from Lars Lagerback when Sweden failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. One of the most respected coaches in Scandanavia, he has managed teams in Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Took Aalborg to the Danish title - and into the European Champions League - back in 2008.

Swedish Coach Erik Hamren

Captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic

One of the most outspoken names in European football,Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Sweden's totem. No question - the former Barcelona striker has rich talent. But doubts remain about his ability to apply it on the biggest stage

Sweden Captain Sebastian Larsson

Player to watch Sebastian larsson

Since finally getting some much overdue first-team action under Alex McLeish at Birmingham in 2010-11, Seb Larsson has gradually blossomed into an extremely talented midfielder – the only problem being his fiery temper.

But while the dead-ball expert's outspoken nature tends to earn him a place in the referee's book more often that not, Sweden will look to the Sunderland man for inspiration come Poland and Ukraine, and with the player turning 27 just as the tournament comes around, age could lend a hand in keeping his opinions under wraps when needed.

Swedish Player Sebastian Larsson

How Sweden Qualify:
Sweden Qualify for the Tournament as runner up of Group E behind netherland and being the best second position team after winning final match against Netherlands.

GROUP E	GP	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	Netherlands (Q)	10	9	0	1	29	27
2	Sweden (Q)	10	8	0	2	20	24
3	Hungary	10	6	1	3	8	19
4	Finland	10	3	1	6	0	10
5	Moldova	10	3	0	7	-4	9
6	San Marino	10	0	0	10	-53	0

Sep 3, 2010: Sweden 2-0 Hungary
Sep 7, 2010: Sweden 6-0 San Marino
Oct 12, 2010: Netherlands 4-1 Sweden
Mar 29, 2011: Sweden 2-1 Moldova
Jun 3, 2011: Moldova 1-4 Sweden
Jun 7, 2011: Sweden 5-0 Finland
Sep 2, 2011: Hungary 2-1 Sweden
Sep 6, 2011: San Marino 0-5 Sweden
Oct 7, 2011: Finland 1-2 Sweden
Oct 11, 2011: Sweden 3-2 Netherlands

Jersy

Brand: Umbro
Home Jersey: Yellow with green vertical lines
Away Jersey: Dark blue with yellow diagonal stripe

Coach: Erik Hamren

Sweden Squad For Euro Cup 2012:
Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson (PSV Eindhoven), Johan Wiland (FC Copenhagen), Par Hansson (Helsingborg)

Defenders: Mikael Lustig (Celtic), Olof Mellberg (Olympiakos), Andreas Granqvist (Genoa), Martin Olsson (Blackburn), Jonas Olsson (West Bromwich Albion), Mikael Antonsson (Bologna), Behrang Safari (Anderlecht)

Midfielders: Rasmus Elm (AZ Alkmaar), Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland), Anders Svensson (Elfsborg), Kim Kallstrom (Lyon), Pontus Wernbloom (CSKA Moscow), Samuel Holmen (Istanbul), Emir Bajrami (Twente), Christian Wilhelmsson (Al Hilal)

Forwards: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan), Johan Elmander (Galatasaray), Tobias Hysen (IFK Goteborg), Ola Toivonen (PSV Eindhoven), Markus Rosenberg (Werder Bremen)

Style of play: The safety-first tactics employed by former coach Lars Lagerback have been replaced by a more open and attacking style under Erik Hamren. Sweden plays higher up the field, aggressively pressing their opponents to win back possession, and relies on the counter and a quick passing game , as well as set pieces, to generate scoring chances. The outside fullbacks are encouraged to venture forward, giving the attack more width. Interestingly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic doesn't play as the lead striker. Instead, he's deployed in a more withdrawn role in the centre, where Hamren feels the team can make better use of his creativity and goal-scoring ability.

 

Euro Cup 2012: Team Profile England (Know the participating Team England)

The world most exciting Tournament has already begun and we have seen some exceptional games till date. All 16 qualified European giants are fighting for the cup and every team will play to win the tournament.

www.anantasports.com is bringing the profiles of all the participating team to its readers and here it is England. England is taking part in the tournaments under the guidance of Coach Roy Hodgson. 

Roy Hodgon’s side confirmed their place in Poland and Euro topping Qualifying Group G ahead of montengro and Switzerland. They Started their Qualifying journey with impressive start which included a Jermain Defoe hat trick against Bulgaria, saw England top Group G after two matches, but hopes of running away with qualification were dented with disappointing draws at home to Montenegro and Switzerland.

However, following a comfortable win in Bulgaria and a narrow victory over Wales, the Three Lions booked their place at Euro 2012 by securing a point - albeit after taking a two-goal lead - in their final group game away to Montenegro, with qualification marred somewhat by Wayne Rooney’s second-half dismissal.

The 1966 World Cup winners came third two years later in Italy, beaten 1-0 in the semi-finals by Yugoslavia - England's best-ever Euro showing. They qualified just once for the tournament between then and 1988, and miserably failed to qualify last time around in 2008. England’s most notable appearance in the European Championships in recent years saw the team reach the semifinals on home soil in 1996

 Coach: Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson was appointed as Capello's successor on 1 May following several weeks of speculation suggesting Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was a shoe-in for the job.

Hodgson's previous international experience with Switzerland at World Cup '94 was an important factor for the Football Association.

Hodgson, 64, named his 23-man squad on 16 May, leaving out Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and has opted for Gerrard as his captain. Hodgson will be looking to make an immediate impact and only has friendlies against Norway and Belgium as preparation for the tournament.

Englad Coach Roy Hodgson

Captain Steven Gerrard

After more than a decade as one of the world's best midfielders, can Liverpool's Steven Gerrard haul England's underachievers to the heights which were expected of them at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa?

One of the so-called 'Golden Generation' upon whom the lights are starting to fade, at least at international level, much will rest on inspirational Gerrard initially - if fully fit - in the absence of his fellow Liverpudlian Wayne Rooney, who is banned for the first two group games.

England Captain Steven Gerrard

 Player to watch Wayne Rooney:

The Manchester United star bounced back from his poor performances at the 2010 World Cup to become the first name on the team sheet for Capello during the qualifying campaign for Euro 2012. The striker, who has failed to score a goal at a major tournament since he broke on to the international stage at Euro 2004, netted three times in seven matches in qualification.

However, Rooney is set to miss the first two group stage games against France and Sweden in Poland and Ukraine after being handed a suspension for a petulant kick on Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic during a 2-2 draw with Montenegro in the team's final qualifier.

England Player Wayne Rooney

How England Qualify for Euro 2012:

England confirmed their place in Poland and Euro topping Qualifying Group G ahead of montengro and Switzerland.

GROUP G	GP	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	England (Q)	8	5	3	0	12	18
2	Montenegro	8	3	3	2	0	12
3	Switzerland	8	3	2	3	2	11
4	Wales	8	3	0	5	-4	9
5	Bulgaria	8	1	2	5	-10	5

Sep 3, 2010: England 4-0 Bulgaria
Sep 7, 2010: Switzerland 1-3 England
Oct 12, 2010: England 0-0 Montenegro
Mar 26, 2011: Wales 0-2 England
Jun 4, 2011: England 2-2 Switzerland
Sep 2, 2011: Bulgaria 0-3 England
Sep 6, 2011: England 1-0 Wales
Oct 7, 2011: Montenegro 2-2 England

Jersy:

Brand: Umbro
Home Jersey: White
Away Jersey: Dark grey with light-blue collar

Coach: Roy Hodgson

Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Jack Butland (Birmingham)

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Manchester United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Andy Carroll (Liverpool)

Style of play: Manager Roy Hodgson likes to use the full width of the field, so it hardly comes as a surprise he uses a 4-3-3 formation. Danny Welbeck (and Wayne Rooney when his suspension is over) lines up as the front man, flanked by Ashley Young and Theo Walcott to form a three-pronged attack noted for its speed. Scott Parker is the midfield anchor, acting as a shield for the back four. Captain Stephen Gerrard probes the attack forward from his central midfield position.