GUIMARAES, Portugal, 15 June 2004 — Denmark’s European Championship goal drought continued in a 0-0 draw against a disappointing Italy side yesterday but they emerged with credit from their Group C opener.

The Danes had the best of the possession and the chances in the first half against a nervy Italian side with Thomas Helveg twice going close.

The Italians, who will now be under pressure in their second game against Sweden on Friday, were brighter after the break but could not find a way past goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen. The result means Denmark have now played four European championship finals matches without scoring after their poor showing in Euro 2000.

Although Italy had the first chance when Francesco Totti’s powerful 25-meter free kick was tipped away by Sorensen, it was the Danes who took the initiative, pushing forward on the flanks and getting early control of the central midfield areas. Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon was pressed into action in the 16th minute, pushing over a left-foot drive from Helveg who had opened up space by cutting in from the right.

Larsson Double Inspires Sweden

to 5-0 Rout of Bulgaria

In Lisbon, striker Henrik Larsson marked his return to the big stage by scoring twice in two minutes as Sweden crushed Bulgaria 5-0 in their opening Euro 2004 game yesterday.

The victory, Sweden’s biggest ever in the European Championship, gave them early control of Group C after Denmark and Italy drew 0-0 earlier. Sweden had not won their first game in eight previous tournaments dating back to the 1958 World Cup, but after an edgy start they took control, Fredrik Ljungberg setting them on their way after 32 minutes before they scored four times in the second half.

The breakthrough came when midfielder Anders Svensson sent a long pass into the path of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who crossed low for Ljungberg to touch in from point-blank range. Bulgaria, seeking their first win over the Scandinavians since 1967 after a run of seven defeats and two draws, had almost drawn first blood when forward Zoran Jankovich volleyed just wide.

At the other end, Larsson, playing his 75th international after changing his mind about retiring following the 2002 World Cup, went close when he slid on a sharp low cross by Mikael Nilsson. There was a flying start to the second half as the ever-dangerous Martin Petrov crossed well for Jankovich to head just wide for Bulgaria while a clever backheel by Ibrahimovic set Ljungberg free, only for keeper Zdravko Zdravkov to block with his legs.