Swedes waste chances to beat favourites Denmark at women's European Championship

Hosts Sweden missed two penalties as they drew 1-1 in their opening match of the women's European Championship against the tournament favourites Denmark.

Denmark took the lead in Gothenburg through Mariann Knudsen's strike just before the half-hour mark but were pegged back by a Nilla Fischer header soon after.

Sweden then dominated the second half but cursed their luck as both Lotta Schelin and Kosovare Asllani missed from the spot.

Earlier Italy played out a goalless draw in Halmstad with Finland, who failed to register a shot on target. Italy had suffered a blow before kick-off when defender Elisabetta Tona was ruled out of the whole tournament with a leg injury.