This UFWC title match and WC qualifier ended goalless despite decent chances for both sides. Lars Lagerbeck and Carlos Queiroz were both struggling with depleted squads for this game. Sweden were missing Henrik Larsson, Erik Edman, Olof Mellberg, Anders Svensson, Christian Wilhelmsson and Tobias Linderoth, while Portugal had to do without Maniche, Deco, Simao Sabrosa, Ricardo Carvalho, Pedro Mendes and Miguel Veloso.

Bolton’s Johan Elmander took advantage of the absences to turn in an eye-catching performance – going close to breaking the deadlock five times in the first half, as Sweden dominated.

Portugal’s best chance of the first half fell to Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Manchester United star, booed throughout the game, blasted his shot high and wide. Perhaps he had one eye on the stands: “It was very good to play here, good atmosphere,” he said. “There were beautiful people in the crowd.”

Portugal improved in the second half, with Joao Moutinho shooting narrowly wide and Raul Meireles forcing a good save from Swedish keeper Andreas Isaksson.

Stand-in skipper Zlatan Ibrahimovic almost grabbed a late winner for Sweden in the 78th minute, but his left-footed drive was tipped away by humorously-named Portugal goalkeeper Quim.

“Sweden played better than us in the first half,” said Ronaldo. “In the second, I think Portugal played better. I think the draw is a good result.”

“I’m satisfied,” said Ibrahimovic. “We should have won, but one point is better than no point.”

Sweden retain the UFWC title, but fail to improve their all-time ranking score, with ranking points only awarded for title match victories.

Sweden’s next match is a friendly in the Netherlands on 19 November. The Dutch are currently ranked 5th in the UFWC rankings, with 32 title match wins to 10th-place Sweden’s 26.
Sweden: Andreas Isaksson, Mikael Nilsson, Daniel Majstorovic, Petter Hansson, Behrang Safari, Sebastian Larsson, Kim Kallstrom, Daniel Andersson, Samuel Holmen, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Johan Elmander.

Portugal: Quim, Jose Bosingwa, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Paulo Ferreira, Joao Moutinho, Fernando Meira, Raul Meireles, Nani (Danny 86), Hugo Almeida (Ricardo Quaresma, 65), Cristiano Ronaldo.

Both Sweden and Portugal are facing injury nightmares ahead of Saturday’s UFWC / WC Qualifying clash.

The latest addition to the big match injury list is Sweden’s still-influential captain Henrik Larsson, after the 37-year-old Helsingborg striker injured a thigh in training. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever had this kind of injury situation,’ said coach Lars Lagerback. The Swedes are already without defenders Erik Edman and Olof Mellberg, and midfielders Anders Svensson, Christian Wilhelmsson and Tobias Linderoth.

Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz will be without midfielders Maniche and Deco, who were both called up despite suffering from injuries. Neither will have recovered in time for the game. Simao Sabrosa, Ricardo Carvalho, Pedro Mendes and Miguel Veloso are all already out. However, Queriroz can recall his former Manchester United charge Cristiano Ronaldo.

The two sides last met in Coimbra in 2004, in a friendly that finished 2-2. Sweden are currently ranked ninth in the all-time UFWC table, having won 26 title matches. Portugal have a poor record in the UFWC, having won only 2 title matches – the last of which was in 1992. FIFA, however, rank Portugal at 10 and Sweden at 26 in their rankings.

Recent form would place Portugal as favourites, but Sweden have home advantage. However, the absence of Larsson may prove crucial.

Two carbon-copy free kicks from ‘Gorgeous’ Girogos Karagounis gave Euro and UFWC champions Greece victory over Portugal in this friendly match on neutral turf.

Greece, who beat Portugal twice at Euro 2004, dominated the game and scored in the 32nd and 59th minutes.

Nuno Gomes pulled a goal back for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side, who were without Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Deco.

But Portugal, who were without Traianos Dellas, held out for a deserved victory.

Portugal’s Gomes commented, ‘We couldn’t handle Greece in the first half. They’re a very experienced team, with a number of veteran players who know how to control a game.’

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel is set to extend his contract with national team until 2012.
Portugal: Ricardo, Paulo Ferreira, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Caneira, Fernando Meira, Carlos Martins, Miguel Veloso, Ricardo Quaresma, Simao, Nuno Gomes
Used substitutes: Joao Moutinho, Bruno Alves, Miguel, Hugo Almeida, Jorge Ribeiro, Raul Meireles

Greece: Nikopolidis, Patzatzoglou, Antzas, Kyrgiakos, Torosidis, Basinas, Karagounis, Katsouranis, Amanatidis, Charisteas, Gekas
Used substitutes: Giannakopoulos, Seitaridis, Samaras, Goumas, Salpingidis

Current UFWC Champions Greece will play Portugal at the neutral venue of Dusseldorf’s LTU Arena in a friendly match on 26 March. The game will be a replay of the 2004 Euro final – Greece actually defeated Portugal twice during that tournament and, of course, became Euro Champions. Portugal lost 3-1 to Italy last month, and coach Luiz Felipe ‘Big Phil’ Scolari says, ‘It’s good for us to face the world champions and now the European title holders. We can get a better idea of what state we are in and what we have to improve.’

Scolari includes Huelva midfielder Carlos Martins in his squad, while Greek coach Otto Rehhagel recalls Atletico Madrid defender Giuourkas Seitaridis.

Portugal squad: Ricardo Pereira (Real Betis), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon), Miguel Monteiro (Valencia), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart), Bruno Alves (Porto), Pepe (Real Madrid), Marco Caneira (Valencia), Raul Meirelos (Porto), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Joao Moutinho (Sporting Lisbon), Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista), Carlos Martins (Recreativo Huelva), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Ricardo Quaresma (Porto), Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Nani (Manchester United)

Greece (preliminary) squad: Giourkas Seitaridis (Atletico Madrid), Angelos Basinas (Mallorca), Stelios Giannakopoulos (Bolton Wanderers), Georgos Samaras (Celtic), Fanis Gekas (Bayer Leverkusen), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Eintracht Frankfurt), Giannis Amanatidis (Eintracht Frankfurt), Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg), Costas Katsouranis (Benfica)