Hansson doubled the lead in the 72nd, picking up a rebound off a shot from Fredrik Ljungberg and bundling his way past two defenders to roll the ball over the line. The central defender had nearly given Greece the lead seven minutes earlier when he headed Traianos Dellas' cross dangerously close to the Swedish goal.

The Greeks, starting with seven players from the winning Euro 2004 squad, mounted a late challenge to come back into the match. but a disciplined Swedish defense kept them at bay.

 

Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) jumps for the ball during the Euro 2008 Group D football match between Greece and Sweden on June 10, 2008 at Wals-Siezenheim Stadium in Salzburg, Austria. Sweden won 2-0. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Vassilis Torossidis had the best opportunity when he rushed toward the goal after intercepting a misguided pass from Daniel Andersson, but Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson stopped his low shot with his right leg.

Sweden winger Christian Wilhemsson, who tested the Greek defense with well-timed runs down the flanks, was carried off the field in the second half after pulling his left hamstring. Lagerback said Wilhemsson could miss Sweden's upcoming matches against Spain and Russia.

"It's really sad both for the team and Christian," he said.

The match got off to an uninspired start with both teams more concerned about keeping a tight defense than producing scoring opportunities.

For much of the first half, the defending champions just rolled the ball across their defensive line, drawing whistles from the Swedish section of the 30,000-seat Wals-Siezenheim stadium.

Ibrahimovic had Sweden's best chance before halftime, heading the ball over the crossbar with his back toward the goal.

Isaksson easily stopped two attempts by Angelos Charisteas but struggled to clear a bouncing shot from Greece captain Angelos Basinas. The Greeks wasted a series of erratic high balls toward isolated striker Fanis Gekas, who was replaced at halftime by Georgios Samaras.

Lagerback fielded an experienced lineup, with seven starters older than 30, including Henrik Larsson and fullback Niclas Alexandersson, both 36.

Sweden, in its fifth consecutive major championship, next plays Group D favorite Spain while Greece takes on Russia. Spain crushed the Russians 4-1 earlier yesterday after a hat trick by David Villa.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily June 11, 2008)