Sweden and holders Greece were goalless at halftime after a predictably tight and tactical opening 45 minutes in today's second Group D game.

The match was always expected to be a cautious affair, but after Spain's earlier 4-1 thrashing of Russia both sides seemed more intent on avoiding defeat than chasing victory.

Angelos Haristeas, scorer of the goal that won the 2004 title and one of six survivors from that Lisbon final, had the best chance after seven minutes when he cut in past two defenders from the right but scuffed his shot.

Sweden were neat in possession and always looking to release their reformed strike partnership of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson. But the closest either man came was when Ibrahimovic glanced a back-header just over the bar after 33 minutes.

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