England outclassed by Swedes

England women 0 Sweden women 4

Only the kind of result that England's men crave – a victory over the Germans in their own back yard – will give Hope Powell's team even a chance of going through to the semi-finals of the Women's European Championship.

Though they battled gamely, England were outclassed by Sweden, who are now most likely to qualify from Group A alongside Germany, who beat Russia 5-0 in Erfurt yesterday.

Considering the fact that England have lost all of their 10 previous matches with Germany, Powell and her developing team can look on Saturday's final first-round game as a dress rehearsal for the teams' qualifiers for the 2003 World Cup.

Sweden scored twice in each half, their second-minute goal undermining England's plan to flood the midfield. Powell said: "For our young players, it's been an experience and a massive learning curve. Obviously I'm very disappointed with the result but we are pleased to be here because this is the top stage in Europe."

Powell had sought to quell the Swedish threat by introducing a fifth midfielder. Sammy Britton therefore started her first international since a ban imposed last November when she admitted taking marijuana. The Everton player was given an anchor role designed to free England's wider players.

However, England were immediately nervous when defending corners and, from a second successive flag kick, Jane Tornqvist headed in the opener. In the 26th minute, Kristen Bengtsson was given too much time to turn and shoot home.

Hanna Ljungberg made it 3-0 16 minutes from time, stealing between two defenders and guiding the ball past Pauline Cope in goal, before Sofia Eriksson scored direct from a corner after 85 minutes.

ENGLAND (4-1-4-1): Cope (Charlton Athletic); Murphy (University of Florida), Marley (Everton), Chapman (Fulham), Unitt (Everton); Burke (Doncaster Belles), Easton (Doncaster Belles), Britton (Everton), Proctor (Charlton Athletic), S Smith (Tranmere Rovers); Banks (Arsenal). Substitutes: Yankey (Fulham) for S Smith, h-t; K Smith (Philadelphia Charge) for Burke, 51; Spacey (Arsenal) for Proctor, 65.

SWEDEN (4-4-2): Jonsson (Malmö); Marklund (Umea), Westberg (Malmö), Tornqvist (Alvsjö), Eriksson (Umea); Nordlund (Umea), Mostrom (Umea), Andersson (Malmö), Bengtsson (San Diego Spirit); Flyborg (Djurgarden), Ljunberg (Umea). Substitutes: Svensson (Alvsjö) for Flyborg, 52; Sjogran (Malmö) for Bengtsson, 71; Fagerstrom (Alvsjö) for Andersson, 78.

Referee: C Brohet (Belgium).