Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's Euro 2012 Group D encounter between Sweden and France in Kiev.
Erik Hamren's side cannot progress to the latter stages following back-to-back defeats to Ukraine and England, and therefore they will be playing for pride this evening.
Meanwhile, France just need a single point to be sure of a spot in the quarter-finals following a draw against England and victory over Ukraine in their first two matches.
Les Bleus enter the match on the back of a 23-game unbeaten run – the longest current unbeaten run in world football - and therefore they will be confident of finishing their group stage in style.
Please note that kickoff is at 7.45pm.
21.42Wow, what an evening of football! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us again for the quarter-finals!
21.40Quarter-finals: Spain vs. France, England vs. Italy.
21.38So there we have it. A wonderful volley from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a thumping strike from Sebastian Larsson secure all three points for Sweden in their Group D clash with France. The French dominated the first half, but Sweden improved after the break and certainly deserved the victory. The result means France drop to second in the group following England's 1-0 win over Ukraine. Laurent Blanc's side will face Spain in the quarter-finals.
FULL-TIMESweden 2-0 France
90min+3Meanwhile, England have won the group following their 1-0 win over Ukraine. So nearly three for Sweden as Wilhelmsson advances on goal, but Lloris collects the danger.
90min+1Sweden have their second and it's Larsson who smashes the ball home after Wilhelmsson had struck the crossbar.
90min+1GOAL! Sweden 2-0 France (Larsson)
90 minWe will play an additional four minutes at the end of the match.
89 minIt doesn't look like the goal is going to come for France. Truth be told, they have not been great this evening. Meanwhile, England still lead 1-0 against Ukraine.
87 minSighter for Sweden as Kallstrom strikes from distance, but it was always moving wide.
85 minIt's a wonderful cross from Clichy but it's just too long for Giroud. Little over five minutes remaining in Kiev.
83 minGiroud! So nearly an immediate impact as he advances unmarked in the box, but he heads over from close range.
83 minChange for France as Olivier Giroud replaces M'Vila.
83 minIt's a wonderful French move with Malouda, Ribery and Menez all involved. However, the latter scuffs his shot straight at Isaksson. It deserved better.
81 min10 minutes remaining in Kiev. France need to score twice if they want to top the group.
79 minMeanwhile, two changes for Sweden as Toivonen and Svensson are replaced by Pontus Wernbloom and Samuel Holmen.
77 minChange for France as Jeremy Menez replaces Nasri.
77 minFrance still press with Nasri and Benzema both involved. However, Mellberg makes the block once more.
75 minMalouda has been awful for France since entering the field. He has lost the ball almost every time he has had it. Where is the player that Chelsea signed from Lyon all those years ago?
73 minIt's poor from Malouda as his cross is straight at Isaksson. It's all France with 20 minutes remaining.
71 minFrance are really pushing for the equaliser now as M'Vila releases a terrific strike straight at Isaksson.
69 minAnother chance for France as Benzema advances into the box. However, this time it is Olsson who produces a brilliant block.
69 minYellow card for Mexes which means he would miss the quarter-final. Blanc is not happy to say the least.
67 minSuddenly it's all France as Ribery and Benzema combine in the box, but again it's fantastic defending from Mellberg.
65 minSighter for France as Nasri strikes from outside the box. However, it just drifted away. Can they turn this one around?
63 minSuddenly France spring to life as Ribery dances into the box. However, Mellberg makes a vital block.
61 minIt's just been all Sweden in this second period. What on earth are France doing? Wilhelmsson has changed the game for the Swedes.
59 minChange for France as Florent Malouda replaces Ben Arfa.
58 minWhat a save from Lloris as turns a Mellberg flick over the bar. Fantastic from the French stopper. It's all Sweden here.
58 minSo nearly two for Sweden as Ibrahimovic plays a wonderful ball into Wilhelmsson. However, Lloris makes a smart block.
56 minThat's some strike from Ibra. What a wonderful player he is. Can France respond now?
54 minIbrahimovic scores arguably the goal of the tournament with a sensational volley inside the box. Wow.
54 minGOAL! Sweden 1-0 France (Ibrahimovic)
54 minChance! Sweden's best chance as Wilhelmsson plays a wonderful cross into Toivonen. However, his strike is blocked.
52 minWonderful from Benzema as he picks up possession before cutting inside Granqvist. However, he just curls it wide of the post. Remember, France need three points if they want to top the group.
50 minIt's poor from Ben Arfa as he passes up possession too easily. Ribery let him know about it as well!
49 minChance for Sweden as Larsson finds Mellberg in the area. However, the offside flag is raised once more.
48 minAs it stands, England would top the group with three points. Can France respond?
48 minMeanwhile, England have taken the lead against Ukraine courtesy of Wayne Rooney.
46 minWilhelmsson nearly scores with his first touch. However, the offside flag is raised. Wow.
46 minHere we go then. Sweden get us underway in the second period. Change for Sweden as Christian Wilhelmsson replaces Bajrami.
20.33So there we have it. 45 minutes of football between Sweden and France in Kiev brings us no goals. It was Sweden who started the brighter, but the French dominated possession as the half advanced. In truth, chances have been few and far between thus far with Ola Toivonen coming closest for the Swedes. Meanwhile, Group D?s other match between Ukraine and England remains 0-0 at the break.
HALF-TIMESweden 0-0 France
45 minWe will play one additional minute at the end of the half.
45 minChance! So nearly for France as Ribery dances past the Swedish defence before striking from outside the box. However, it's brilliant defending from Olof Mellberg.
43 minIt's ever so ambitious from Benzema as he strikes from all of 30 yards. Sign of frustration maybe?
41 minStill France remain threatening as they flood forward. However, their final pass has lacked on more than one occasion.
39 minNo, he seems ok. Sweden with possession as we approach the break.
39 minSamir Nasri is hurt here. He may need to come off.
37 minIt's been ever so slightly laboured from the French in previous minutes. You get the feeling that they can do better.
35 minAnother sighter for France as Ben Arfa strikes from distance. It was dipping.
35 minReally good defending from Debuchy as he robs Ibrahimovic of possession in the box. The Lille defender has been impressive thus far.
34 minMeanwhile, Ukraine and England still remain level at 0-0.
33 minChance! Opportunity for Sweden as Anders Svensson's deflected shot finds its way to Toivonen. However, the offside flag is raised as he challenged Lloris.
32 minIt's really nice from the French as Ribery finds Clichy on the left. His delivery is good, but Olsson thumps a header away.
30 minSo nearly for France as Ribery and Benzema link on the left. However, it breaks down at the vital moment. No real chances for either side in the last 10 minutes or so.
28 minFrance are just playing within themselves at the moment. They certainly have more gears to hit. Pass, pass, pass is the French motto at the moment.
26 minChance for France as they gain a free-kick some 40 yards from goal, but Rami fires it high and wide.
24 minJust seems to be breaking down for Sweden at the vital moment. However, they are beginning to enjoy more of the ball.
22 minMeanwhile, Ukraine are very much on top in the early stages against England in Group D's other encounter. As it stands, France and England will go through.
22 minIt's lovely play from Zlatan Ibrahimovic as he evades three French midfielders. However, he loses it at the vital moment. He is a class above his teammates.
20 minSighter for Sweden as Toivonen finds Larsson with a header. However, the Sunderland man fires high and wide.
18 minBeautiful from Ribery as he evades Andreas Granqvist before finding Benzema. However, the Real Madrid striker fires over the bar.
16 minArsenal target M'Vila has been nice and busy thus far. He looks a real player.
16 minIt's careless from Ribery as he feeds Benzema in a clearly offside position. Sweden just cannot really gain possession in the early stages.
14 minBenzema looks in the mood this evening as be buys a corner from Olsson. However, the latter produces a thumping header clear.
12 minFrance flood forward again with Mathieu Debuchy, but he loses possession at the vital moment. Meanwhile, it remains 0-0 between England and Ukraine.
10 minChance! Clearest opening of the match as Toivonen robs Philippe Mexes. However, he just cannot convert after rounding Lloris.
10 minIt's nice possession work from France, before Ben Arfa strikes from distance. However, it was always too high. The French are on top here.
8 minFrance's best opening as Benzema this time finds Ribery. However, Andreas Isaksson makes a bright save to clear the danger.
8 minChance for Sweden as Larsson whips a dangerous cross into the box. However, Adil Rami is on hand to head clear.
6 minWonderful from France as Benzema finds Ben Arfa. However, the Newcastle United man screws it wide.
4 minAnother sniff for Sweden as Olsson this time finds Sebastian Larsson. However, Hugo Lloris collects the danger.
3 minFirst chance of the match falls to Sweden as Martin Olsson whips a dangerous cross into the box. However, Toivonen heads wide of the post.
2 minFrance look on a mission in the early stages. It's smart feet from Samir Nasri outside the box. However, Sweden clear the danger.
1 minNice bright start from France as they pick up possession before playing it along their midfield. Franck Ribery advances forward, but he is caught by Jonas Olsson.
1 minRight. Here we go. France get us underway in Kiev.
19.45We will have a minute silence in tribute to French commentator Thierry Roland who passed away this week.
19.44And stop. Anthems sung. Flags exchanged? Well nearly. We are almost there.
19.43... now it's Sweden's turn.
19.42It's time for the national anthems. France first...
19.40Here we go then. Both sets of players are emerging onto the pitch.
19.38The fans are certainly enjoying themselves as the players emerge into the tunnel.
19.36Remember, the winners of Group D will face Italy in the next round. Meanwhile, Spain await the runners-up.
19.34We haven't really seen the best of France striker Karim Benzema thus far. Will that change this evening? Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see how Ben Arfa performs.
19.32So what do we think this evening then? It's difficult to look past France, but Sweden will be out to spoil their party.
19.30Back to permutations for a moment. Courtesy of former England striker Gary Lineker on Twitter: "Here's one.. England win 2-0, France win 3-2 will mean same points, goal diff and goals scored. Result; England top on co-efficient ranking."
19.28Before Euro 2012, Sweden had never lost a European Championship match in which they had taken the lead. However, that has come to an abrupt end. They have lost both matches at this tournament despite leading.
19.26However, Sweden do not enter the match in particularly good form. They have lost their last four European Championship finals matches. However, they have scored in all 12 competitive matches under Hamren?s management.
19.24The last time Sweden recorded victory over the French was back in 1969 - a 2-0 win during qualification for the 1970 World Cup.
19.22French boss Blanc represented his country in the only major tournament between the two nations - a 1-1 draw at Euro 1992.
19.20Quite remarkably, before their 2-0 win over Ukraine, France had never won a European Championship match without Michel Platini or Zinedine Zidane in their team - some duo by the way!
19.18England face Ukraine in tonight's other Group D encounter, and the Three Lions will progress with a win. Meanwhile, they can top the group with three points if France fail to win. If both games end in a draw, then France will top the group. Got it? Good!
19.16If France lose and England and Ukraine draw, then Laurent Blanc's side will still progress because of their better head-to-head record against the co-hosts.
19.14As mentioned, France will progress to the knockout stages with a win or draw. However, they could be eliminated if they lose and England also suffer defeat, and a huge goal-swing takes place.
19.12Meanwhile, France hand starts to Hatem Ben Arfa and Yann M'Vila, with Jeremy Menez and Yohan Cabaye the two players who are replaced.
19.12Sweden make two changes from the defeat by England with Ola Toivonen and Emir Bajrami coming in for Johan Elmander and Rasmus Elm.
19.10Team News: France: Lloris; Debuchy, Rami, Mexes, Clichy; Ribery, Nasri, M'Vila, Diarra, Ben Arfa; Benzema
19.10Team News: Sweden: Isaksson; Granqvist, J Olsson, Mellberg, M Olsson, Larsson, Svensson, Kallstrom, Bajrami; Toivonen, Ibrahimovic
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