WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FINALS : TODAY’S GAME AT A GLANCE
THIRD-PLACE GAME at Rose Bowl
Bulgaria vs. Sweden
* TIME: 12:30 p.m. PDT
* TV: ESPN, Univision
* KEY MATCHUPS: In his quest for the “Golden Boot,” Hristo Stoitchkov needs to sneak a few shots past goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli, the hero of Sweden’s penalty-kick victory over Romania and one of the few Swedes who held his own against Brazil. Ravelli, with a goals-against average of 1.26, also might be facing off against Bulgarian goalkeeper Borislav Mihaylov (1.11), probably the only keeper standing between the Swede and the Lev Yashin Award for tournament’s best goalkeeper. Of course, much will depend on how long Ravelli and others play. Both coaches figure to clear the bench.
It is unlikely forward Martin Dahlin will play because of a leg injury that forced him out of the Brazil match. Henrik Larsson probably will start in his place. Midfielder Jonas Thern and defender Roger Ljung will sit out because of suspensions. Stefan Schwarz, returning from a suspension, will step in for Thern.
* OUTLOOK: This is Sweden’s chance to partially redeem itself for setting soccer back 20 years with its mindless defensive strategy against Brazil. It’s a shame, because the Swedes have more to offer offensively with such talents as forwards Dahlin and Kennet Andersson to go with Tomas Brolin, the ever-hustling midfielder. That this kind of firepower should be choked, almost by coach’s mandate, to three shots against Brazil will be the albatross Coach Tommy Svensson carries away from an otherwise successful tournament.
As one soccer scribe noted of Bulgaria, “No team has ever had to travel so far for a seemingly meaningless third-place game playoff.” The Bulgarians have been full of surprises in this tournament after losing their opener to Nigeria. Regardless of today’s outcome, they return home champions. Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev has equated his team’s success to the fall of communism.
That said, do you think Bulgaria fears Sweden?
* OUTCOME: Betting against Bulgaria has not been wise in the tournament, but there are factors pointing to a Swedish victory. The Bulgarians had to play their semifinal in New Jersey on Wednesday, then fly west. The team’s upset of Germany already had left the Bulgarians partied-out and exhausted. This could be where it all catches up. If this turns into a game of bench warmers, Sweden has some talented players in reserve, notably midfielder Stefan Rehn, who entered Wednesday’s match late and gave Brazil a scare with a rare shot at Claudio Taffarel. Sweden wins.
