adminPARIS. — Sweden and Ukraine became the last two qualifiers for Euro 2016 soccer finals after eliminating Denmark and Slovenia respectively in Tuesday’s play-offs. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a brace as Sweden beat their Scandinavian neighbours 4-3 on aggregate after a 2-2 draw in Copenhagen. Ukraine held on after conceding an early goal to veteran centre-back Bostjan Cesar before an equaliser deep into injury time by Andriy Yarmolenko saw them complete a 3-1 aggregate victory.
After Republic of Ireland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday and Hungary ousted Norway the day before, all 24 teams for next year’s finals in France are now known. Ibrahimovic was the star as Sweden completed a victory over Denmark that was more comfortable than the final scoreline suggested.
Ibrahimovic says he has sent Denmark “into retirement” after scoring twice to seal Sweden’s Euro 2016 place at the expense of their neighbours. The 34-year-old scored both of Sweden’s goals in a 2-2 play-off second-leg draw in Copenhagen — a result that gave them a 4-3 aggregate win.
The striker has hinted he could quit international football after Euro 2016. “They said they were going to send me to retirement,” he said. “I sent their whole nation into retirement.”
“It was great to do this here in Denmark,” said Ibrahimovic, who had been rumoured to be on the brink of retiring from the international game had his side failed to progress. — AFP.
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