We dared to play great football, says Ibrahimovic

Kiev (Ukraine), June 20 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said the team’s 2-0 Euro 2012 consolation victory against France was for the fans, saying his team “dared to play” great football at the tournament despite going out.

Ibrahimovic’s second-half volley and a Sebastian Larsson goal on the break in injury time condemned the French to second place in Group D in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday.

It rounded off Sweden’s disappointing group campaign, which began with a 1-2 defeat to Ukraine and a 2-3 loss to England, on a relative high. They finished third.

“We were a bit unlucky against Ukraine and England. I think we were performing well, we went ahead in all three games. We dared to play,” Ibrahimovic said.

He dedicated the win to the team’s fans, who outnumbered their opponents at every game except co-hosts Ukraine.

“We were a bit nervous, but today we got a good finish for our supporters,” the 30-year-old AC Milan striker said. “We discussed this this morning, to get a good win for our supporters, who travelled a long way.”

Ibrahimovic insisted the win boded well for Sweden’s 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins in September.

“It’s a fantastic feeling, for the fans too. It’s a good start for the future, so to speak, especially ahead of World Cup qualifying.”