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    Euro 2012: Swedes To Swamp England Fans

    England face Sweden in a crucial Euro 2012 match this evening in which English fans will be heavily outnumbered by their opponents' supporters.

    At least 20,000 Swedish fans are expected to attend compared to 5,000 England fans, who have promised to make up for the difference with volume.

    They put the gap in fan numbers down to the fact that Sweden's group-stage games are all in Kiev, while England fans have to travel between the Ukrainian capital and Donetsk.

    England supporters chose to set up base at a pub next to the Uefa fan zone in Independence Square, the scene of the 2004 Orange Revolution.

    Swedish supporters wearing yellow and blue jerseys dominate the area's beer tents, table football and food stalls.

    Most of the visitors are Ukrainians enjoying the sunshine and the party atmosphere, which lasts until the early hours.

    The game will be shown on big screens where not only English fans will be cheering on the three lions.

    "We are Russian but we love England," said one fan with a St George's Cross painted on her face.

    "They have all the big names in the team and they will definitely beat Sweden. We are hoping for a good game."

    England manager Roy Hodgson is optimistic that his team can capitalise on their first match draw.

    "We have to try to make certain when we do get these good counter-attacking opportunities that we maximise them and take advantage to the full," he said.

    "All you can do is prepare in the best possible way and make it clear to your team what threat the opponents pose.

    "France posed a lot of threats from their set-plays and Sweden will be the same."