Team GB take hope from stalemate

Great Britain 0 Sweden

Substitute Rachel Yankey was denied by the woodwork as Team GB ended their preparations for the Olympics with a hard-fought draw against Sweden.

The 33-year-old Arsenal striker came off the bench to hit the post with 20 minutes remaining with the Swedes pressing for victory after being dominated before the break.

Full-back Steph Houghton and striker Kelly Smith had earlier gone close for Hope Powell's side, but home goalkeeper Karen Bardsley had to save from Kosovare Asllani before half-time and replacement Rachel Brown was significantly busier in the second period.

The Swedes enjoyed the greater share of the early possession, but it was Britain who were first to threaten. Experienced striker Kelly Smith fired a left-foot shot across the face of goal with two minutes played, and strike-partner Ellen White kept keeper Hedvig Lindahl on her toes with a powerfully-struck volley, which flew wide of the post four minutes later.

Marauding full-back Alex Scott was causing all kinds of problems for the Scandinavians down the right as she repeatedly worked her way into advanced positions, although she could not find the killer ball.

However, Yankey very nearly made the breakthrough with 20 minutes remaining as GB carved open the Swedes for the first time since the break.

Fellow substitute Carney split the yellow shirts with a perfectly-weighted pass for the Arsenal striker to run clear and fire past Lindahl, only to see her shot cannon back off the post.

Carney went close herself nine minutes later when she floated another long-range shot over Lindahl, but also just over the bar with Team GB finishing strongly.

The hard-working Yankey found herself in space once again nine minute from time, but on this occasion she could not hit the target as defensive cover arrived.