Euro 2012: Sweden coach blames bad luck for defeat to England

KIEV, UKRAINE – JUNE 15: Head Coach Erik Hamren of Sweden claps the fans after the final whistle during the UEFA EURO 2012 group D match between Sweden and England at The Olympic Stadium on June 15, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

Kiev, June 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti):Swedish coach has blamed bad luck for the 3-2 defeat to England that put Sweden out of Euro 2012 in the group stage.

England came back from 2-1 down to win as Theo Walcott levelled the scores from long range before setting up Danny Welbeck for a backheel winner.

“We showed the mentality, the attitude I wanted to see and we had the courage to play our way. To win games, you need also a little bit of luck,” Hamren said.

He borrowed a Swedish medical metaphor to illustrate how he thought Sweden lost despite having the right approach to the game.

“The operation was really good but the patient died, and that’s how I feel today,” he said.

Welbeck’s 78th-minute winner was a lucky strike despite the stylish finish, Hamren said.

“The last goal was more chance, so to speak.”

When Sweden play France Tuesday, they can deny Laurent Blanc’s team qualification if they inflict a heavy defeat on the French.

England will play Ukraine at the same time.