Rate it!

1 votes

England coach Hope Powell said she is relishing the chance to pit her wits against Euro 2009 hosts Finland after a draw with Sweden saw the national side advance to the quarter-finals.

Captain Faye White gave England a first-half lead and while Sweden's Victoria Sandell Svensson equalised from the spot, Powell's side eased home and through the group stage.

England suffered a last-gasp defeat to Italy in their opening Group C match but bounced back to overcome Russia and their 1-1 draw with Sweden ensured they finished third - avoiding defending champions Germany in the last eight.

And Powell, while paying tribute to England's Scandinavian opposition, is excited by the prospect of facing the Group A winners on their home turf.

"I must applaud Sweden: they are solid and physically strong. We knew we had to raise our game and at times I thought we played very well," she said.

"Now we can look forward to playing Finland in their home country in the quarter-finals.

"I'm sure it will be a fantastic atmosphere and it's great that we can stay at our base and don't have to pack."

Kelly Smith, fresh from her stunning winner against Russia, had an earlier chance against Sweden, who ran out group winners - but it was White who broke the deadlock from Karen Carney's floated free-kick.

Sweden stormed back however and Lindsay Johnson was called into action, clearing Charlotte Rohlin's header off the line.

But the scores were level on 40 minutes as Katie Chapman (pictured left) brought down Lotta Schlien (right) as she shaped to shoot, and Svensson made no mistake from the spot.

Sweden almost took the lead on the stroke of half-time, but this time it was Alex Scott clearing off the line to keep the scores at 1-1.

But Powell's side came strong in the second half and both Smith and White had chances to grab the winner.

More than the Games / Eurosport