Sweden lifted the 2015 European Under-21 Championship with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out over Portugal after a 0-0 draw in Prague.
With Portugal opting for a possession-based approach the favourites had the majority of early chances, captain Sergio Oliveira cracking a free-kick against the woodwork, but could not force an opening.
Hakan Ericson’s Sweden sat tight and John Guidetti almost snatched a late win before the 90 minutes was up and extra-time saw little in the way of chances before the penalty shoot-out saw William Carvalho miss the crucial spot-kick.
Early Portugal pressure led to the first chance within the first two minutes when Ricardo Pereira drove a shot just wide from 18-yards, but the Esparancas came even closer when Oliveira hit the bar with a wicked free-kick.
Desperately needing to get into the game Sweden earned a first shot on goal via Isaac Thelin’s near-post header but Portuguese possession reimpressed their domination; finding space as they drew apart the two banks of four.
When given the chance the Blagult attacked with speed and a fiery effort from midfielder Simon Tibbling reminded their opponents of an effective game plan, both sides subsequently settling to produce a tight affair with few inches given to either attack.
Indeed the packed Eden Stadium had to wait until the 36th minute for another chance, Oliveira finding Patrick Carlgren’s gloves with an angled free-kick.
Portugal’s inability to convert time on the ball into clear chances was defined by another offside by striker Ivan Cavaleiro, the Esparanca’s sixth in the opening half, the second period beginning with a Swedish alteration as Joseph Baffo had replaced the impressive centre-back Filip Helander.
Looking to exploit this, Rui Jorge’s side countered and almost gave Ricardo a tap-in, but Bernardo Silva’s skidding cross outpaced the Porto forward and was cleared.
After 52 minutes Sweden forced their best opening when Guidetti came to life, arriving onto a smart knock down to send a difficult half-volley an inch over the bar, a feat quickly matched by Oliveira shooting just off target from range before the constant threat was substituted.
His replacement Toze forced a save out of Carlgren; however the AIK man could do nothing about Iuri Medeiros’ whipped effort that beat both keeper and far post.
While the two Group B rivals were evenly matched Sweden could only make rare ventures forward, Guidetti was squeezed out in the area in the 80th minute as extra time beckoned.
The added half hour was confirmed by an excellent save by Jose Sa when ex-Celtic forward Guidetti forced his way goalwards without forcing another late Swedish winner.
Captain Oscar Hiljemark curled a sweet effort wide in the early minutes of extra time as Swedish authority grew in the first period; Portugal retaliated after the interval but penalties would decide the tournament.
An excellent standard of spot-kicks until Ricardo Esgaio and Abdul Khalili were denied before Victor Lindelof scored to pile the pressure on Carvalho, whose tame penalty was saved to give Sweden their first-ever European Under-21 Championship title.
